These very early sound Vitaphone short musical films were shot by a stationary camera, all in one continuous take, so it's like you're watching a live performance in its entirety. There are no cuts when he shifts from his acoustic steel guitar to his ukulele, or when he puts his little harmonica in his mouth, or when he changes to his banjo.
The first part was originally learned from Sam Moore, a San Francisco vaudeville performer born around 1880 who had previously played banjo and thus applied banjo picking techniques to the song later called "laughing rag". As a further novelty, Moore played it on a 8 string guitar (the octa-chorda), with two lower strings (each played an octave apart) in C#. Roy Smeck, using his own custon built model played the work in E7th tuning E-B-G#-D-B-E-C#-C#
All the 80's guitar virtuoso era goes back to this massively talented pioneer man. They owed him a lot... He almost did every single trick in the book of virtuoso techniques, already in the 1920's! 🎸 🔥 🎶
wow, they must have done something to that banjo to mute it, it should have rung a lot louder than the uke. really love his playing though, i’m glad these were recorded.
@@mcrp_ It's a Bacon & Day Silver Bell plectrum banjo. 4 strings, tuned CGBD. Bacon Banjo Co. was a sponsor of Roy Smeck back in the 20s. It's played in a chord melody style with a guitar pick, pretty different from bluegrass or old-time banjo styles.
These very early sound Vitaphone short musical films were shot by a stationary camera, all in one continuous take, so it's like you're watching a live performance in its entirety. There are no cuts when he shifts from his acoustic steel guitar to his ukulele, or when he puts his little harmonica in his mouth, or when he changes to his banjo.
All this time I thought Eddie was the best... the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Now I know where his (Eddie's) talent came from. Magnificent!
The first part was originally learned from Sam Moore, a San Francisco vaudeville performer born around 1880 who had previously played banjo and thus applied banjo picking techniques to the song later called "laughing rag". As a further novelty, Moore played it on a 8 string guitar (the octa-chorda), with two lower strings (each played an octave apart) in C#. Roy Smeck, using his own custon built model played the work in E7th tuning E-B-G#-D-B-E-C#-C#
How do you know this?
All the 80's guitar virtuoso era goes back to this massively talented pioneer man. They owed him a lot... He almost did every single trick in the book of virtuoso techniques, already in the 1920's! 🎸 🔥 🎶
6:42 Nice lick!
I think the word "Wow" might be appropriate.
Incredible!
hands-free harmonica 😳😲 he's a truly amazing musician. thanks for sharing this video 👍
Man, I wish I could play like him!
great musician. incredible.
Wonderful.
I'm gonna learn this
I love his rhythm hand technique on the ukulele. Killer.
Don't know much about banjo or ukulele technique but I've never heard or seen playing like this!
Oh yes! I saw this at UCLA in 2004! Great stuff, folks! =D
Why showed this there?
@@RockyStradlin Because UCLA Film Archives has it and preserved it? I'd bet the video quality Dario saw was a lot better than what you see here.
I'm ready for boating school Mrs. Puff
Would like to see Joaquin Phoenix play this guy, he did great in Walk the Line.
Ukulele Medley: Then I’ll Be Happy, I Love My Baby (My Baby Loves Me, I Never Knew, Then I’ll Be Happy (Reprise) Harmonica Solo
Dracula plays slide.
wow, they must have done something to that banjo to mute it, it should have rung a lot louder than the uke. really love his playing though, i’m glad these were recorded.
I have a Roy Smeck guitar from the 1960s. Hollow body electric. Does anyone know if they are worth much? Thanks.
Is it a de lux or the base model
Now i know were the spongebob sound came from 😅
Last song on the banjo sounded like the Super Mario World soundtrack
The last instrument it was a banjo or a banjolele? I can't see any fifth string but I'm not sure...
@@dantep4966 I'm new in these instruments and I believe to ask has nothing to be laughed about. I thank you kindly for your reply.
I believe it is a four-string banjo
@@mcrp_ It's a Bacon & Day Silver Bell plectrum banjo. 4 strings, tuned CGBD. Bacon Banjo Co. was a sponsor of Roy Smeck back in the 20s. It's played in a chord melody style with a guitar pick, pretty different from bluegrass or old-time banjo styles.
Spongebob!!!!!!!!
Now we know where Robert Johnson got his idea for developing his slide technique.