Tenor Banjo V Banjolele

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Banjo Uke Players Unite

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Banjouke,Banjolele,Ukejo It's the crazy family member that nobody talks about. Let's here from you if you love the Banjo Uke

80 Members, Created 11/21/2011 -

Administrators: cb56 (owner)

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From Banjer-El on 4/21/2014 1:13:49 PM

Greetings from the UK

I'm looking for some wisdom/opinions on a question that is currently on my mind.

My Ukulele journey has led me to an appreciation of the great American songbook, Bluegrass and Old Time Music. In turn this has led to an appreciation of the banjo. I tried a 5 string banjo but for me it's just too big, heavy and I can't be doing with that fifth string. So if I am to pursue my interest in the banjo, I think it will have to be one of the four string variety and, because I am a man of small proportions (that's why I play a concert Ukulele), I am inclined toward either:

a) a tenor banjo

b) a banjolele

In my research, I have discovered that it is possible to tune a tenor banjo to GCEA which would be handy but this has led to ask the question,

What would be the substantial difference between a Tenor Banjo tuned like a Uke and a Tenor Banjolele?

I will be going to try these out soon but I would be interested to have your views.

For additional information, the main outlet for my Ukulele playing is in a Church band comprising drums, double bass, guitar & violin. I think adding a banjo into this line up would be fun.

Apologies for such a long post.

I look forward to your views.

Kind regards

Eric

3 Comments
	cb56 says: 4/21/2014 5:30:40 PM Hi Eric. The tenor banjo would have steel strings while the tenor banjolele would most likely have nylon ukulele strings. I have heard of people putting nylon strings on a tenor banjo though. I have two banjo ukuleles Both made by Goldtone. One is the concert sized banjo uke (Model BUC) tuned gCEA. And the other is the baritone (Model BUB) tuned dGBE. I like the concert with the higher tuning alot better. I'm one of those folks that believe banjo uke can play any style of music if you put your mind to it. I like Old time and folk music. Also early 20th century music is great for banjo uke. "ain't she sweet", "Shine on harvest moon" "someone's in the kitchen with Dinah, etc.... Bluegrass players will look at you funny though if you show up at their jams with one. But they'll welcome you at and old time jam or folk music jam. Have fun and tell us wheat you end up getting. BTW don't give up on 5 string if you already bought one. Maybe try your hand at clawhammer. youtube.com/watch?v=aLvmJMmUBVM
	Jim Yates says: 4/21/2014 6:25:48 PM I have an old S.S.Stewart tango banjo that I have strung with nylon guitar strings and have tuned gCEA. I have used a heavier 4th string and tuned it down an octave, but prefer the re entrant tuning. I also have an old Maybelle by Slingerland that's a soprano with a resonator and is very loud. I use both of these for old timey tunes like Moving Day and old standards like Ain't She Sweet and Somebody Stoll My Gal and jug band songs like Washigton At Valley Forge, Boodle Am Shake... I strum with my index fingernail and either fingerpick breaks or do a Reno style single string break with thumb and index. I have used clawhammer style on these banjos too.
Banjer-El says: 4/22/2014 8:40:55 AM Thanks for your comments guys. I visited the Southern Ukulele Store in Bournemouth today and played some banjo ukes including a Magic Fluke Firefly. I was disappointed as none of the ukes got anywhere near a banjo sound which makes me wonder if it's worse buying one I also got my hands on an Ashbury 19 Fret tenor banjo for comparison and, not surprisingly, the sound was somewhat better. So at the moment, I'm inclined to go for a tenor banjo (17 fret). Learning a whole new set of chords and a new fretboard is going to mess with my head though. Will keep thinking, researching and have a visit to AndyBanjo's planned where I can try the Goldtone ukes and some more banjos. Thanks again Eric
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