PLECTRUM BANJO - Bluegrass Banjo - Banjo

Not logged in - Login | Register

ezFolk Forums > Banjo > Bluegrass Banjo > PLECTRUM BANJO

PLECTRUM BANJO

Moderated by: Richard Hefner

New Topic

Author

Post

viking
Approved

Joined:	Mon Jan 23rd, 2006
Location:	WINDERMERE, United Kingdom
Posts:	126
Instrument Interest:	Guitar, Other
Status:	Offline

Posted: Thu Jan 26th, 2006 12:50 pm

Quote

Plectrum banjo,standard or chicago(guiter) tuning?

Hi I am a new member and this is my first time on a forum.

As a guitarist come vocalist playing in local pubs and clubs it was clear that a dfferent voice was needed when jam sessions grew into 4 or 5 guitars and little else.

So the local music shop had a plectrum banjo at the right price of which I am now the proud owner.

I allready play guitar to a reasonable standard for performance in fingerpicking,clawhammer.flatpicking and plectrum styles SO am I reinventing the wheel by learning banjo in anything other than chicago tuning DGBE

Standard G tuning CGBD does feel and sound more Banjoey to me but what would others advise to gain a fast start and have my banjo being heard in the jam on a sunday afternoon ASAP ???

PJ
Approved

Joined:	Tue Jan 31st, 2006
Location:	Seattle, Washington USA
Posts:	54
Instrument Interest:
Status:	Offline

Posted: Sat Mar 4th, 2006 11:57 am

Quote

Don't know if you're still seeking answers to your banjo questions, but I think if you want a fast start, use the guitar tuning. But if you want it to sound like a traditional plectrum ( the way it is built to sound), use the CGBD tuning. The latter tuning will not be as fast, but it will be more distinct in your pub jams. I have a plectrum guitar. It's very ho-hum in guitar tuning - reminds me of a person missing some teeth. In the CGBD tuning it begins to sparkle. Now, if only I could play better!

PJ

Will
Approved

Joined:	Wed Feb 16th, 2005
Location:	Chicago, Illinois USA
Posts:	1381
Instrument Interest:	Ukulele, Clawhammer Banjo, Guitar, Harmonica, Dulcimer, Mandolin, Autoharp, Keyboards, Other
Status:	Offline

Posted: Mon Mar 6th, 2006 06:33 pm

Quote

I play a 4-string tenor banjo tuned DGBE. If you already play guitar, it makes sense to use the tuning that you already know; that's why "Chicago tuning" was commonly used for 4-string banjos.

This thread was also posted to some of the other forums, and here is the reply thread:

http://www.ezfolk.com/forums/view_topic.php?id=1454&forum_id=2&highlight=viking

____________________
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/

viking
Approved

Joined:	Mon Jan 23rd, 2006
Location:	WINDERMERE, United Kingdom
Posts:	126
Instrument Interest:	Guitar, Other
Status:	Offline

Posted: Tue Mar 7th, 2006 03:43 pm

Quote

Thanks for the replies I' still trying to get my head round this.

I love the 3 semitone difference on the high stings with CGBD but the c on the bass string really throws me??

What exactly is the thinking behind having this string so low?

Smiffy
Approved

Joined:	Mon Feb 5th, 2007
Location:	Christchurch, New Zealand
Posts:	130
Instrument Interest:	Ukulele, Clawhammer Banjo, Bluegrass Banjo, Guitar, Dulcimer, Mandolin, Other
Status:	Offline

Posted: Sat Feb 24th, 2007 05:37 am

Quote

I always use the open G (D_G_B_D) tuning because it's what I knew from playing 5-string.

I sold my 5-string when my thumb got injured, because a beginner needed a good 5, and I couldn't do it justice any more. I kept my 'G' banjo going though, just for strum. I could be wrong but I've always believed the "g" banjo and the Plectrum Banjo were the same thing, just different names.

Will
Approved

Joined:	Wed Feb 16th, 2005
Location:	Chicago, Illinois USA
Posts:	1381
Instrument Interest:	Ukulele, Clawhammer Banjo, Guitar, Harmonica, Dulcimer, Mandolin, Autoharp, Keyboards, Other
Status:	Offline

Posted: Sat Feb 24th, 2007 05:02 pm

Quote

Smiffy wrote: I always use the open G (D_G_B_D) tuning because it's what I knew from playing 5-string.

I sold my 5-string when my thumb got injured, because a beginner needed a good 5, and I couldn't do it justice any more. I kept my 'G' banjo going though, just for strum. I could be wrong but I've always believed the "g" banjo and the Plectrum Banjo were the same thing, just different names.

According to what I've read, during the 1920s, the plectrum banjo was developed originally from a regular 5-string banjo with the 5th string removed in order to facilitate the strumming of chords with a plectrum (pick) for increased volume, in order to accompany jazz bands. The tuning for plectrum was CGBD, which I think was used on 19th century 5-string banjos. The plectrum banjo was also used as a solo instrument. Four-string banjos, including the shorter-necked tenor banjo (originally called the tango banjo) tuned in fifths (CGDA), became dominant for several decades while the older 5-string banjo nearly disappeared, surviving in Appalachia until the advent of bluegrass during the 1940s. DGBD tuning became standard on 5-string banjos, but I think plectrum players still use CGBD or DGBE.

Last edited on Sat Feb 24th, 2007 05:03 pm by Will

Philj200
Approved

Joined:	Thu Jun 2nd, 2005
Location:	New York USA
Posts:	1240
Instrument Interest:	Clawhammer Banjo, Bluegrass Banjo, Guitar, Harmonica, Dulcimer, Mandolin, Fiddle, Autoharp
Status:	Offline

Posted: Mon Feb 26th, 2007 01:16 pm

Quote

Will said, " The tuning for plectrum was CGBD, which I think was used on 19th century 5-string banjos. "

Add a 5-string drone tuned to G on the fifth fret of the 1st string and you have the mis-named C-tuning. Misnamed because it doesn't render an open chord. But it's one of the most common 5-string banjo tunings and the key of C-major is relatively easy in it. And with a capo on the second fret (and some retuning or capoing of the fifth string) D-major is just as easy.

Also: Those early banjo pickers... the ones who put their finger picks (or nails) away for a flat-picks kept what worked for them. The lower C-string (C below middle C) gave them some more bass run capability. Back them I don't think the guitar was an pandemic as it is now. Not every banjo picker was a defrocked guitar player. The urge to keep the high four of a guitar consistancy may not have been present. Especially when we consider that the plectrum was a development to allow a portable chording instrument that could maintain presence with brass... something a guitar could not do.

True, the resonator guitarcame along and that help the guitar side of the ledger. Then amps became available, affordale and transportable... and the plectrum began to fade away and the few 5-stringers back in the hills smirked a little.

____________________
My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/
My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200

Current time is 12:50 am