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String -
Banjo
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Written by Mick Moloney
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 The early origins of the instrument, now known as the banjo, are obscure. That its precursors came from Africa to America, probably by the West Indies, is by now well established. Yet, the multitude of African peoples, languages, and music make it very difficult to associate the banjo with any specific African protoype. From various historical references, however, it can be deduced that the banjar, or bangie, or banjer, or banza, or banjo was played in early 17th century America by Africans in slavery who constructed their instruments from gourds, wood, and tanned skins, using hemp or gut for strings. This prototype was eventually to lead to the evolution of the modern banjo in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Until 1800 the banjo remained essentially a black instrument, although at times there was considerable interaction between whites and blacks in enjoying music and dance—whites usually participating as observers. What brought the instrument to the attention of the nation, however, was a grotesque representation of black culture by white performers in minstrel shows.
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Last Updated on Thursday, 16 July 2009 19:01 |
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String -
Banjo
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Written by Unknown
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Original Source:http://www.mirekpatek.com/styleScruggs.htm
In Scruggs bluegrass banjo style adapted to tenor banjo the melody is picked by the right thumb. Inbetween the melody notes there are played harmony notes by index and middle fingers. The patterns, in which the three fingers fill the eight notes per measure, are called rolls and you can start to practice these ones:
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Last Updated on Friday, 17 July 2009 19:04 |
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String -
Banjo
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Written by Unknown
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Original Source:http://www.mirekpatek.com/frailing.htm You can get the frailing sound of the 5-string banjo on the tenor banjo retuned to CGdg or DGdg. Here is the so called bum-ditty 5-string banjo pattern M_MT played by (middle) fingernail and thumb, which will be emulated (there are actually two of them in one measure).
d------0-------0---|-
b------0-------0---|-
G--0---0-------0---|-
D----------0-------|-
g--------0-------0-|-
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M M T M M T
count:
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & As the highest g string (located on thumb side on 5-string) is on the treble side on CGdg or DGdg tenor banjo, this picking pattern has to be modified in order to produce similar sound on tenor banjo.
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String -
Banjo
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Written by Michael Hofer
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Original Source:http://banjobasics.julieferris.com/more.html Strings They don't require a lot of work but there are a few things you need to know to properly maintain your banjo. Number one at all times is, keep it clean. Dirt and smudges are your biggest enemies. Before you pick up that instrument, make sure you haven't just greased the tractor and forgot to wash your hands. Of course no matter how well you wash your hands, a small amount of oil will be put on the banjo and also the strings from your fingers. The greater cause for concern is on your strings. They don't vibrate like they need to when they become soiled. I use that word soiled and its not like youre going to have clods of dirt on the strings, but you can easily end up with small clumps. Im sure you can look at what the string manufacturers recommend on length of time to replace your strings, and its fairly often. (Ok heres one of those my opinion things again) I prefer to change my strings about every 20 playing hours. Actually I have noticed that after about 20 to 30 hours the strings will sound a bit muted when capoed, that's when I know its time to change them. Not everyone has the same idea, though as I know some pickers that change theirs about every 8 hours. Others even change theirs more often, every 2 or 3 hours. Yet others wont change them unless they break or rust through. One thing that is nice about Banjo strings is that they are relatively cheap, from 3.50 a set up to about 5.50 here in the midwest. Of all the instruments I play, they are the cheapest. I also picked up a little trick from an old guitar player, about extending string life. When you finish playing, get yourself a soft cloth such as a baby diaper, and wipe down the whole banjo, especially the strings. This helps to remove the oils you just placed on it, before the dust and dirt can accumulate. Simple as this sounds it really works great and helps to keep your banjo and strings in better condition. One other thing that will add life to your banjo and strings is to keep it in a good case when not in use. If dust and dirt cant get to it its better. I know a lot of pickers like to show off their banjos, some even hang them on the wall but its better for them to be in a good case.
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