Long time, no see!/ Banjo vs Fiddle: How did they play together in the Olden days? - Minstrel Banjo2024-03-29T05:56:35Zhttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/forum/topics/long-time-no-see-banjo-vs-fiddle-how-did-they-play-together-in?commentId=2477478%3AComment%3A112424&feed=yes&xn_auth=noTake for example a fiddle tun…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2014-05-08:2477478:Comment:1125962014-05-08T22:21:23.418ZStrumeliahttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/Strumelia
<p>Take for example a fiddle tune in the key of G. Whether the fiddler was in standard or cross tuning, they'd still be playing in the key of G either way- that's pretty much all that matters.</p>
<p>On a modern banjo in clawhammer style you'd likley tune gDGBD and play in G along with the fiddle.</p>
<p>On a minstrel banjo for early stroke style, you'd likely tune in "low bass"/Briggs type tuning of dGDF#A which would have you playing in the key of G...but sounding lower than the clawhammer…</p>
<p>Take for example a fiddle tune in the key of G. Whether the fiddler was in standard or cross tuning, they'd still be playing in the key of G either way- that's pretty much all that matters.</p>
<p>On a modern banjo in clawhammer style you'd likley tune gDGBD and play in G along with the fiddle.</p>
<p>On a minstrel banjo for early stroke style, you'd likely tune in "low bass"/Briggs type tuning of dGDF#A which would have you playing in the key of G...but sounding lower than the clawhammer banjo. But...you'd be playing along with the fiddle in the key of G. (Since your tuning is different than the usual clawhammer gDGBD, you'll be using <em>different fingerings</em> than you are used to in old-time playing.) Raising your pitch up one step on all strings to eAEG#B in stroke style will have you playing in the key of A.</p>
<p>What this also means, is that if you are familiar with playing say Sandy Boys in G or A in oldtime sessions, <em>you will be learning a slightly new way of fingering it</em> if you are in the Briggs low bass tuning. Sandy Boys (or The Sandy Boy or Uncle Gabriel, etc) is a very old tune/song that is seen in both modern clawhammer and early 1800s and minstrel repertoire. You won't be able to stay in clawhammer tuning and merely lower your strings a whole octave to the low G and play in the key of G that way. It's a new game! I suggest you approach your stroke style tunes as a whole new thing, not trying to relate them to the clawhammer tunings. :) That's my two cents.</p> I believe this will put the b…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2014-05-08:2477478:Comment:1124272014-05-08T18:38:32.656ZJoseph Sorahhttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/JosephSorah
<p>I believe this will put the banjo an octave lower than the standard fiddle tuning.</p>
<p>I believe this will put the banjo an octave lower than the standard fiddle tuning.</p> At least one of the tunings (…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2014-05-08:2477478:Comment:1124242014-05-08T18:07:25.302ZJoseph Sorahhttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/JosephSorah
<p>At least one of the tunings (dGDF#A) puts you in the key of D. You could play with a fiddle or dulcimer in first position.</p>
<p>At least one of the tunings (dGDF#A) puts you in the key of D. You could play with a fiddle or dulcimer in first position.</p> Genford, I'm not responding w…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2014-05-08:2477478:Comment:1125072014-05-08T17:01:06.702ZAl Smitleyhttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/AlSmitley
<p>Genford, I'm not responding with any knowledge or insight but simply to state that I will be anxious to read responses to your inquiries. They are interesting questions!</p>
<p>Genford, I'm not responding with any knowledge or insight but simply to state that I will be anxious to read responses to your inquiries. They are interesting questions!</p>