Author: Donald Rickert
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Authentic Cases for 19th Century Musical Instruments
Please visit the Don Rickert Musician Shop. The type of case usually used for fiddles and guitars of the mid-19th century is often called a "coffin" case, owing to its resemblance to a coffin. Coffin cases were sometimes used for banjos as well. Here are some examples of some actual cases for period guitars and…
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American Civil War Re-enactor Musicians and Their Instruments
About Re-enacting Recreating every detail of the military aspects of the American Civil War (early to mid 1860s) is more than just a pastime for many thousands of dedicated people known as “Re-enactors.” Re-enactments of encampments and major Civil War battles draw thousands of enthusiastic participants and spectators in U.S. States where the major action…
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The Irish, the Harp and Civil War
Please visit the Don Rickert Musician Shop. The minstrel boy to the war is gone,In the ranks of death ye will find him;His father's sword he hath girded on,And his wild harp slung behind him;"Land of Song!" cried the warrior bard,"Tho' all the world betrays thee,One sword, at least, thy rights shall guard,One faithful…
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Irish Traditional Music is a LIVING Tradition!
Please visit the Don Rickert Musician Shop. Traditional Irish Music is almost a misnomer, as it is such a wonderful LIVING tradition, adopting new instruments all the time. We talk about traditional Irish Bouzoukis and Octave Mandolins. Fact is, it was Andy Irvine, I believe in the Irish band Planxty at the time, who starting…
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Tenor Banjo and Irish Tenor Banjo: Is There a Difference?
Please visit the Don Rickert Musician Shop. This is an excellent question, and it comes up all the time from smart musicians. The difference between the Tenor Banjo and Irish Tenor Banjo is, on one level, analogous to the difference between a violin and a fiddle. They are played differently. But Irish Tenor Banjos are…
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The Violin Was Perfected 300 Years Ago…Hogwash!
Please visit the Don Rickert Musician Shop. Recently I had been looking at a lot of violin and fiddle related websites and blogs and have seen far too many assertions that the violin was perfected centuries ago. This ranks up there on the idiocy scale as the statement by the Director of the U.S. Patent…
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Photos of the Three Basic Types of Old-Style Banjos
These photos are being posted in preparation for adding old-style banjos to our online store www.AdventurousMuseStore.com. From left to right, a Gourd Banjo, a Tackhead Banjo and a Minstrel Banjo
D Rickert Musical Instruments 