Banjo Hangout - Playing Advice: 4-String (Jazz, Blues & Other Trad Styles) Forum Feed

"The Greatest Of Them All"

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 12:17:36 CST

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_07G3-ewFak&list=RD_07G3-ewFak&start_radio=1

The original Perry Bechtel Stephen Foster Medley (now on YouTube)

bluegrass music on 4-string

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 5 Jul 2026 20:27:54 CST

I want to play a tenor banjo or tenor guitar in a bluegrass jam session. I found videos of octave mandolin and tenor guitar playing melodically with a flatpack; the instruments tuned GDAE or another fifths tuning. I messed around with GDAE flat picking melodies on 4-string instruments and I find it intuitive.

I have a couple questions about playing backup.
- Is GDAE tuning amenable to playing a rhythm backup, like a guitar player plays a steady rhythm in bluegrass?
- I had a thought of tuning my 4-string banjo or tenor guitar to DAC#E. (CGBD is a common tuning for 5-string banjo, and this is just up 2 half steps). I know this tuning works for strumming chords, and by avoiding the 2nd string it has the same notes as the top 3 strings of GDAE. Are you aware of anyone who uses this tuning on a 4-string banjo, or tenor guitar?

Walking in the Park with Eloise

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 17:14:48 CST

Paul McCartney’s piano-playing father Jim (1902-1976) composed just one song during his lifetime, but he couldn’t think of any lyrics for it.

So somebody just had to do something, wouldn’t you agree?

I had hoped to have this ready for Sir Paul’s 84th birthday on June 18th, but alas some technical glitches slowed me down.

So here it is, PG rated…if anybody out there in the banjoverse could pass it along to Sir Paul, I would be immensely grateful…

youtube.com/watch?v=Qy2siChJ55I

Will

Tony

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 10:47:29 CST

So sad reading this post:

https://www.banjohangout.org/topic/409062/#5145914

Pennies from Heaven.

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 11:18:51 CST

Hi everybody! Due to my age, 82, I can no longer use most of my banjos, which weigh about 5 kg + the weight of the case. This little Gibson, who has never left my house, weighs only one kilo and doesn't break my back. It's pure fun to play, with its narrow keys. It also reminds me, very fondly, of Eddie and his instrument... an Ome..perhaps, which gets a resonator of this type.

youtu.be/3_eQJAsbn18?list=RD3_eQJAsbn18

Marco

Lazy Rhythm (Bert Bassett)

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 1 Jun 2026 18:18:36 CST

My first attempt at filming a take of this one, one of the first things I heard that caught my ear when I started reading about plectrum banjo.. not quite a perfect take but it's coming along, I think. Any pointers? I'm self taught

One for Sonny!

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 29 May 2026 10:02:42 CST

just a quick video as an hommage to the great Sonny Rollins who left us few days ago... RIP Saxophone Colossus

A Burt Bacharach/Hal David classic

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 24 May 2026 18:22:30 CST

After too long an absence, many personal adventures and a shave of my long-time moustache, here's a video contribution....

Yes, it's a tenor ukulele, but it's tuned to standard tenor banjo/tenor guitar tuning so hopefully nobody gets offended. I'll try to make the next video specifically using the banjo - but I think you gotta admit the nylon strings fit this tune nicely.

tenor banjo/guitar players

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 13 May 2026 05:32:09 CST

Any tenor banjo or tenor guitar players in the wilmington nc area ?

BbFCG tuning

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 11 May 2026 09:09:04 CST

Hello everyone,
I play a Vega tenor banjo from 1926-27. I tune it in BbFCG because that's how I learned, and playing with horns makes it easier I found. The problem is that I'm struggling with finding the right strings to play, does anyone can help me?
I don't want to have to big of a gauge and at the same time keep tight tension so is there any solution maybe by adjusting the thrust rod or bridge?
Thanks a lot
Marcel

Oh, Marie

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 4 May 2026 13:07:29 CST

Maria Mari is a successful Neapolitan song, composed by Di Capua and Russo in 1899. In the last century it was relaunched by Louis Prima (an Italian-American musician from New Orleans) who, with the title "Oh, Marie" transformed it into a jazz-pop song full of swing: I was inspired by this version.

youtu.be/IxvJjjLHv54

Thank you for watchin' !

Fancy Custom Richelieu Golden Eagle Tenor on eBay

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 12:06:30 CST

Gryphon is selling it, which usually means it’s an estate item that they don’t work on.

ebay.com/itm/358476327421

About flat pics

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 6 Apr 2026 05:30:29 CST

When I play, particularly in a band, I sometimes want my banjo to have a soft tone, other times metallic. Many factors direct me to play in one way or another: it can depend on the type of band, the type of instruments present, the type of music, the requests of the other musicians, the type of solo I intend to create, etc. Very often it would be necessary, in the same piece, to replace the plectrum while playing. This can be done, but it is a somewhat acrobatic maneuver and not very suitable to be carried out quickly. For this reason I thought of modifying a triangular plectrum, thinning one of the triangles. Switching from one triangle to another while playing is quite easy and, above all, quick. I don't know that there are picks of this type on the market, but I think that a pick with three corners of different thicknesses could be quite useful. What do you think?. I attach a very short illustrative video where I use a 1 mm thick pick, in which I reduced the thickness of a corner to approximately 0.80 mm. What do you think about this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnuK9CYLsmc&pp=0gcJCdkKAYcqIYzv

arco

Perdido (Juan Tizol)

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 3 Apr 2026 12:42:08 CST

This tune was composed by Juan Tizol (tb), who brought it to success with Duke Ellington's orchestra. I apologize for my somewhat poor interpretation of what I thought I was doing, but two small finger injuries, advanced age, and lack of adequate training limited my options.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9VzEGeVcqE

Tank you for listening!

Marco

vintage vega and B&D

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 23:55:33 CST

I've been playing Ome plectrums for many years, but recently I've become interested in vintage instruments.
I'm particularly interested in Vega and B&D.

Vegaphone series (e.g., Soloist, Artist, etc.)
B&D Silver Bell series (e.g., No. 1, Montana)

I'd like to hear the opinions of anyone who has played or owns these instruments and compares them.
I understand there will be individual differences, but I'd like to know the basic sonic differences between Vega and B&D.

Also, please tell me which you prefer.