Please note: If you want to contact John Simmance or leave a comment on his videos, you need to visit John’s channel on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/johnsimmance
First Efforts at Learning the George Formby Banjolele Strum – after 3 weeks practice
John Simmance played the banjolele his father gave him in 1947, always wanted to learn the Formby style of playing, but didn’t know how! Now, thanks to the Internet, and several excellent players who have made instructional videos, he knows HOW! So now, at nearly 82, after many years of being out of practice, he bought a Gold Tone banjolele and now he is practicing until his fingers are sore! After three weeks, he is beginning to get the basic Formby “Split Stroke” and struggles with the “Triple”.
But to encourage other old men to try something new, and to show that an old CAN learn new tricks – or at least begin to – he offers this video!
Next Efforts at Learning the George Formby strums – after 6 weeks practice
This is a continuation of my video “My First Efforts at Learning the George Formby strums” showing the progress I made in three more weeks of practice on my banjolele! Old men! Don’t stop trying to do something new!
My Final George Formby strum efforts! – after 9 weeks practice
This is the third and last video recording my efforts at learning the difficult George Formby strumming techniques on the banjolele! The first was made after I had been practicing for three weeks, the second followed after six weeks, and this last one covers my progress after a total of nine weeks.
The message behind them all is directed at old ment like me: the fairy tale that old dogs can’t learn new tricks is just NOT TRUE! So: old men, if you wan’t to try something new, don’t listen to the opposition of others (or your own doubts) and just DO IT! You’ll be glad you tried.
My banjolele progress after four months practice!
A short record of my progress learning the George Formby strumming techniques on the banjolele, four months after I started.
Thanks John
You’ve inspired me to give my ukulele another go!
Tweed
LikeLike
That’s a very pleasing image – a tweed echidna playing a ukulele – though a banjolele seems somehow more fitting :-)
LikeLike
You are right – must pick one up!
LikeLike
I AM 70 PLUS AND WAS BROWSING THE WEB AND CAME ACROSS UKES4FUN AND WAS VERY IMPRESSED. I WOULD LOVE TO PLAY A BANJOLELE CAN YOU PLEASE TELL WHAT MAKE YOUR BANJOLELE IS? KIND REGARDS GRAHAM
LikeLike
Hi Graham,
I think John explains that his father gave him the banjolele many years ago.
If you want to contact John Simmance or leave a comment on his videos, you need to visit John’s channel on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/johnsimmance
You might find it easier to start with a ukulele rather than a banjolele too. If you are in the Tyneside area please feel free to drop in. There is usually a spare ukulele around and we have one banjolele player who attends regularly.
Best wishes and good luck :-)
Lizzie
LikeLike
Fantastic – I am knotting my fingers and thumbs around the Formby strums and to see John’s progress in these videos has been a huge boost – thanks for gee up from a fellow old man….
LikeLike
What an inspiration to us all
LikeLike