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| 5 string to plectrum transition - Beginner Questions - Banjo - Banjo - ezFolk Forums | |||||||||||||||
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sushyoshi Approved
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Hi I´m kind of new to the 5 string banjo and really enjoy playing some clawhammer stuff. The thing is the moment i saw a video on youtube of plectrum banjo i was in love, its like those old jazz banjos that i allways wanted. But i´ve already bought a 5 string banjo before i knew the existence of the plectrum. Dont get me wrong i´m really happy with the 5 string but its just that i really preffer those kind of jazzy sounf of the plectrum. I read somewhere that originally the plectrum was a 5 string with the fifth string removed. Can i do the same? Can i remove my 5th string and tune my 5 stringed banjo to a plectrum? Do i need other type of strings? If anyone has done this please help me out.
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Will Approved 
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sushyoshi wrote: Hi The 4-string plectrum banjo has the same scale length as a 5-string. Some early plectrum banjos were made by simply removing the 5th string in order to play chord accompaniment with a plectrum (pick) while playing along with a brass band (Dixieland jazz). Plectrum banjo tuning is commonly CGBD, but there are alternate tunings just like with other instruments, such as DGBD (open-G) or DGBE (guitar tuning). Bob Shane of the original Kingston Trio played a plectrum banjo tuned DGBE, most famously on "Tom Dooley." One tuning that a plectrum banjo CAN'T handle is tenor tuning, CGDA, because the longer scale length (26" plectrum vs. 23" tenor)would cause the strings to break in that tuning. After removing the 5th string, you can use your current strings without changing them, if you use plectrum, open-G, or guitar tuning. If you want to get a real plectrum banjo, Gold Tone makes a good, affordable Cripple Creek model with a rolled brass tone ring for about $370: http://www.playbetterbluegrass.com/gold_tone_plectrum_4748_prd1.htm  There are a number of web sites devoted to the 4-string banjos (plectrum and tenor). Here's are some good ones: Four String Banjo: Frequently Asked Questions http://www.4shelties.com/banjos/banjofaq.htm#what The Ultimate Plectrum Banjo Player's Guide http://www.banjobook.com/ Styles of Banjo (scroll down to the bottom for Four-String Banjos)http://www.goldtone.com/resources/banjo_styles.asp Last edited on Mon Apr 21st, 2008 09:48 pm by Will ____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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| ezFolk Forums > Banjo > Beginner Questions - Banjo > 5 string to plectrum transition | |
