Hartford Tuning

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Music and banjos of John Hartford

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Group to talk about Hartford's picking style, low-tuned banjos, banjos he used, and to share licks, and especially lyrics.

136 Members, Created 2/1/2011 -

Administrators: hartfordman (owner)

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From DogHouseMando on 12/5/2011 8:03:48 PM

Hey all! Was wondering if anyone knows what John's banjo tunings are? It seems like their tuned to D major. Does this tuning require specific strings to get a clean strong tone without throwing the strings sharp or flat?

Thanks!

2 Comments
	Wrags says: 12/6/2011 7:09:09 PM John discussed his tunings in his 'The Banjo According to John Hartford" videos, but its been a while since I watched those. On the Folk Of the Wood web site (folkofthewood.com/page2620.htm) Mickey states that he generally tuned his banjo to Eb (Eb Bb Eb G Bb) with strings on the heavier side (.12 .24w .20w .14 .12). That sounds right.
	stanger says: 8/19/2013 8:41:16 PM Yup. That low tuning was used in his solo career. When John played with a group, he would sometimes tune it up a half step to open F, to make it easier to play with others while still keeping is big deep tone in the common bluegrass keys.
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