BANJOS
Five string banjo, one of the original American instruments.
Once the banjo was as ubitiquous as the guitar, which eventually
took over in popularity. Many players consider open G the standard
tuning, gDGBD. Also common is C tuning, gCGBD, double C, gCGCD,
and "sawmill", gDGCD. I play both fretted and fretless
open back banjos, in the clawhammer style.
Tenor banjo was originally used as the rhythm/chording instrument
for dixieland jazz,then tuned CGDA. These days, many Celtic players
restring them and play in GDAE, one octave below mandolin or
fiddle. The expensive, glitzy models still cost a pretty penny,
among collectors and dixieland afficionados.
The plectrum banjo was traditionally tuned CGBD, like the low
bass, or C tuning of a five string banjo, without the fifth string.
Also a dixieland era instrument, for 5 string banjo players who
wanted to play jazz, and not have that "pesky" drone
string in the way. Personally, I like the drone string alot,
but I play Appalachian music, wouldn't be the same without it. |