For enthusiasts of early banjo
Tuning of smaller instruments
I currently have it tuned to af#dd (4 stringer) but I can't even tell if that sounds good with either of my other banjos... mainly because I am a lousy lefty. It is pretty high pitched. I know it will never hit lows like a minstrel rig but I can't tell if I'm tuned too high(?)
I just wanna make sure I can play along with her on the lil one.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mark Weems on
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Chris, Jason Smith down in Mississippi, who also studied with Scott Didlake, has made many of these smaller gourd instruments. You could contact him with questions. http://jaybirdbanjo.com/contact
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Permalink Reply by Strumelia on
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You need to tell us what the general scale length (VSL) is on it: the length in inches from the nut to the bridge...or in the case of a fretless banjo, to the center of the head since one can slide the bridge around somewhat.
Also tell us what kind of strings you have on it currently.
Then people can better recommend tunings for you that might be within the instrument's comfort range.
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Permalink Reply by Chris Prieto on
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@mark thanks I've actually seen his banjos online I will hit him up. Thnx!
@strum its 14.5". Using some kind of fc or clear fishing line. I also have a set of classical and minstrel nylguts too that I can use if those would fare better.
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My own experience has been that fishing line is fine but tends to be very stretchy. With a short scale like that, first of all I'd consider using the nylgut as I personally think it's it's more stable, especially in a situation where you may be pushing limits one way or another. just my 2 cents.
A lot comes down to what keys you will be playing in.
The goal is to get my niece playing some juba.
But- is this tiny gourd you made a four-stringed?- and if so, is it without the 'low bass' string, or is it lacking the chanterelle 5th string? If it's lacking the 5th short string, the player may have additional adjustments to make if trying to play Juba.
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It's missing the fourth. I will be playing with my own gourd tuned to a/e.
It's the cutest lil thing ever and I can't wait to see my niece have at it haha
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I guessssss ... not positive still kind of ignorant to all that :)
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Yes but his goal is for them to play together on their two banjos, so it may help to know the key.
Timothy Twiss said:I would not even choose a pitch...just tension it to what it can take. I think that was the original method
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Well I know for example if my buddy plays my regular open back tuned to drop c it jives well with my minstrel in Briggs tuning. So I was wondering if there was a tuning based in that logic that makes more sense ... one step up from drop c to equal e/a??
But I just can't figure it out haha I'm prolly gonna have to make a right handed one so I can play with some one else and figure out but was hoping some of you musically literate folks could set me straight. The scale length is throwing me off too.
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A regular open back tuned to Drop C will be usually playing in the key of C.
Briggs tuning is usually key of G.
So I'm not sure how that's working, unless your buddy is just playing his C and G chords or picking out some notes within them. for instance he'd be playing his tonic I chord when you are playing your IV chord...? Tim's a music teacher and can probably speculate better on this.
Chris Prieto said:Well I know for example if my buddy plays my regular open back tuned to drop c it jives well with my minstrel in Briggs tuning.
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Yeah not sure about chords and all that but we can both play the juba together and they mesh. But if we play juba with d/g and a/e tuned banjos it sounds awful.
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I feel like what I am asking is easy but I am not musically proficient enough to word it correctly :\
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