If you read Just This Banjo, you already know that I tend to barrel ahead regardless of the situation, odds, legality, safety, sanity or anything else.
Take a good look at the photo above. Notice that my stance is odd and my legs are blurry? Well, the picture was taken seconds before we went on stage for the very first time. I was so scared that my legs were shaking.
I was scared out of my mind. So was my dad. We did it anyway – because that is what folk singers, and Philadelphia Mummers, do.
It’s okay to be afraid. Just never let that stop you.
I am currently working on two books at the moment. The first is White Belt, a book about the learning process. The second is the long-awaited second edition of The How and The Tao of Old-Time Banjo.
If you don’t know the story, The How and the Tao of Old-Time Banjo was dashed out over a long weekend in the winter of 2003. The book started as a free handout for an after-school banjo club. The books conversational tone and use of storytelling is just how I write. I never intended for the handout to be widely read. When published, it set off a crazy domino effect that lead to the book winding up on computers around the world.
The title, by the way, was another accident. Since it was never supposed to be a book, I came up with the title as an offhand joke.
Never underestimate the power of the Taoist happy accident.
People have been asking for an updated second edition for a long time. Getting me to work for financial gain is nearly impossible. For a seconded edition to happen I needed a damn good reason.
Well, that reason presented itself, and I have started working in earnest. For me, the most interesting things about revisiting my first book is how much I have changed. I was 33 when I dashed out that free handout. Now that I am 50, my skills as a musician have grown and I have a deeper understanding of the craft.
While The How and the Tao of Old -Time Banjo had its share of critics and copycats, releasing the book freely under a Creative Commons license turned a simple project for some kids into a revolution. As soon as the book was free to download I started getting calls from friends and strangers with wild takes of seeing scores of people at festivals with a brand-new banjo under one arm and a battered printout of the book under the other. I have had people walk up to me in restaurants, airports, bus stations and farmers markets wanting to shake my hand and tell me what the book meant to them.
For an introvert who was forced to educate himself at the library, this is heavy stuff. The kind of thing that could be mistaken for a Horatio Alger story, only this all happened. Heck, it is still happening.
The second edition will not be the same book with a new cover. With the first book freely available everywhere, that would not make much sense. This will be a new book that takes some things out, rewrites some sections and occasionally draws from my other works that are now out of print. I am not sure how it will be released just yet. Traditional ink and paper printing is a much more complicated endeavor in 2020, but I will not take that out of the list of possibilities just yet.
The other book in progress, White Belt, draws on my experience ion various disciplines to explore the learning process. While I am viewing this as a standalone work at the moment, it could very well wind up being folded into the second edition of The How and the Tao of Old-Time Banjo.
Sometime in August or September I will be making chapters of both books available to my Patreon sponsors. Meanwhile, here are the ten books to my credit along with some old essays to keep you busy:
If you have input on the original work, or there is something you would like to see in the second edition, drop me a note at dobrolibre@gmail.com or text (do not call) (410) 713-4044. You can also use the same number to reach me through the Telegram app.
Dear Old Dad and I will still be available for lessons and The Wednesday Night Banjo and Donut Society. This is a HUGE undertaking, so your support and well-wishes are a huge help.
Join us and your musical Internet neighbors around the world for the next meeting of The Wednesday Night Banjo and Donut Marching Society on July 29th as 2:00 and 7:00 PM Eastern Time. Musicians of all instruments, genres and skill levels are welcome.
Wednesday Night Banjo and Donut Marching Society Time: Jul 29, 2020 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Meeting ID: 861 2496 6811 Passcode: 600102 One tap mobile +13017158592,,86124966811#,,,,,,0#,,600102# US (Germantown) +19292056099,,86124966811#,,,,,,0#,,600102# US (New York)
Dial by your location +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown) +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) Meeting ID: 861 2496 6811 Passcode: 600102 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdkwrwLfMU
Wednesday Night Banjo and Donut Marching Society Time: Jul 26, 2020 05:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Meeting ID: 812 1986 7534 Passcode: 247474 One tap mobile +13017158592,,81219867534#,,,,,,0#,,247474# US (Germantown) +13126266799,,81219867534#,,,,,,0#,,247474# US (Chicago)
Dial by your location +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 812 1986 7534 Passcode: 247474 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcpm0stUVz
This week’s song is The Beatles’ Octopus’s Garden.
I transposed the song to G to make it easier for banjo players, but you can play it in any key you wish. Also, the song of the week is not mandatory. You can play anything you want at the meeting. This is just something to get people practicing.
G Em
I'd like to be under the sea
C D
In an Octopus's Garden in the shade.
G Em
He'd let us in, knows where we've been,
C D
In his Octopus's Garden in the shade.
Em
I'd ask my friends to come and see
C D
An Octopus's Garden with me.
G Em
I'd like to be under the sea
C D G
In an Octopus's Garden in the shade.
We would be warm below the storm
In our little hideaway beneath the waves.
Resting our head on the sea bed
In an Octopus's Garden near a cave.
We would sing and dance around
Because we know we can't be found.
I'd like to be under the sea
In an Octopus's Garden in the shade.
We would shout and swim about
The coral that lies beneath the waves.
Oh, what joy for every girl and boy
Knowing they're happy and they're safe.
We would be so happy, you and me.
No one there to tell us what to do.
G Em
I'd like to be under the sea
C D Em
In an Octopus's Garden with you,
C D Em
In an Octopus's Garden with you,
C D G D G
In an Octopus's Garden with you
Thoughts on finding the courage to play and sing for and with others. Come make music with us every Wednesday at 2 and 7 PM Eastern time! http://banjoanddonut.com/
Join us for the Wednesday Night Banjo and Donut marching Society! Don’t be bashful. If you wait until you are good enough, you never will be! http://banjoanddonut.com/
A package from Johns Hopkins arrived with a programmed set of BAHA sound processors arrived while I was giving a lesson.
I won’t turn them on until tomorrow or the next day… With so much time without working hearing aids, turning these on will be a shock – not to mention heartbreaking if they don’t work. Going to take this slow, and promise to keep you all posted.
