Comments on: Picking a Banjo http://alternativebanjo.com/2009/01/02/picking-a-banjo/ So not mainstream... Alternative. Sun, 18 Dec 2011 09:07:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: mike http://alternativebanjo.com/2009/01/02/picking-a-banjo/comment-page-1/#comment-70 mike Fri, 20 Aug 2010 04:28:24 +0000 http://alternativebanjo.com/?p=106#comment-70 The "^" is an upstroke and the "v" is a down stroke. A quick Google search turned up several results on tablature guides. Here's a pretty good one: <a href="http://www.howtotuneaguitar.org/lessons/the-basics/how-to-read-guitar-tab/" rel="nofollow">http://www.howtotuneaguitar.org/lessons/the-basics/how-to-read-guitar-tab/</a> (albiet it's for guitar) The “^” is an upstroke and the “v” is a down stroke. A quick Google search turned up several results on tablature guides. Here’s a pretty good one: http://www.howtotuneaguitar.org/lessons/the-basics/how-to-read-guitar-tab/ (albiet it’s for guitar)

]]> By: Emily http://alternativebanjo.com/2009/01/02/picking-a-banjo/comment-page-1/#comment-69 Emily Tue, 03 Aug 2010 22:21:17 +0000 http://alternativebanjo.com/?p=106#comment-69 i have a question reguarding the tabs on here. how do i play them? i learned how to play the banjo from books and on the "Lakes of Canada" tab page i see that i play chords but then there are "^" and "v". what does this mean? is that a forward backward roll? i don't understand the way of tabbing on the internet. could someone shed some light? i'm very confused and would love to learn the songs on here. i have a question reguarding the tabs on here.
how do i play them? i learned how to play the banjo from books and on the “Lakes of Canada” tab page i see that i play chords but then there are “^” and “v”. what does this mean?
is that a forward backward roll?
i don’t understand the way of tabbing on the internet. could someone shed some light? i’m very confused and would love to learn the songs on here.

]]> By: scott cornwell http://alternativebanjo.com/2009/01/02/picking-a-banjo/comment-page-1/#comment-68 scott cornwell Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:39:02 +0000 http://alternativebanjo.com/?p=106#comment-68 Had to put my two cents in here. Love the site, great to have access to these tabs, thanks ! As regards the tenor ,plectrum, six string conversation, there are also six string banjos that have an additional low string added, typically tuned to an octave below the third string G. Gold tone offers one of these they call a Low Jo. I play a six string banjo in this configuration as I enjoy the lower range for chord roots , bass runs etc. To hear an acoustic six string I built check out my web site , an electric version I built as well is fetured on my bands site sweethook.net. keep up the good work ! Had to put my two cents in here. Love the site, great to have access to these tabs, thanks ! As regards the tenor ,plectrum, six string conversation, there are also six string banjos that have an additional low string added, typically tuned to an octave below the third string G. Gold tone offers one of these they call a Low Jo. I play a six string banjo in this configuration as I enjoy the lower range for chord roots , bass runs etc. To hear an acoustic six string I built check out my web site , an electric version I built as well is fetured on my bands site sweethook.net. keep up the good work !

]]> By: Jim http://alternativebanjo.com/2009/01/02/picking-a-banjo/comment-page-1/#comment-43 Jim Wed, 10 Jun 2009 10:19:59 +0000 http://alternativebanjo.com/?p=106#comment-43 The tenor (CGDA) is the instrument that was heard to be the major backup sort of instrument. The Irish tenor (GDAE octave mandolin tuning) is considered by the Irish tenor community to be a highly lead type of instrument without any interest in backup. The tenor (CGDA) is the instrument that was heard to be the major backup sort of instrument. The Irish tenor (GDAE octave mandolin tuning) is considered by the Irish tenor community to be a highly lead type of instrument without any interest in backup.

]]> By: mike http://alternativebanjo.com/2009/01/02/picking-a-banjo/comment-page-1/#comment-24 mike Wed, 04 Mar 2009 09:21:25 +0000 http://alternativebanjo.com/?p=106#comment-24 True, the banjo is really quite diverse. Have you ever heard a banjo orchestra? Check it out: <a href="http://www.heftone.com/recordings/peaceful_henry.mp3" rel="nofollow">The amazing Heftones!</a> The electric banjo is actually one of the coolest instruments I have ever heard. I don't know if you are familiar with Bela Fleck's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXHOyqHzupk" rel="nofollow">Big Country</a>. It's incredible. But yes I would love to see the Flogging Molly tab. You can just send it to alternativebanjo at gmail.com and I'll take a look at it. Thanks! True, the banjo is really quite diverse. Have you ever heard a banjo orchestra? Check it out: The amazing Heftones! The electric banjo is actually one of the coolest instruments I have ever heard. I don’t know if you are familiar with Bela Fleck’s Big Country. It’s incredible.

But yes I would love to see the Flogging Molly tab. You can just send it to alternativebanjo at gmail.com and I’ll take a look at it. Thanks!

]]> By: Tony http://alternativebanjo.com/2009/01/02/picking-a-banjo/comment-page-1/#comment-23 Tony Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:09:13 +0000 http://alternativebanjo.com/?p=106#comment-23 It's true, banjitars and banjolins are both somewhat few and far between, but that said, the 5 string is somewhat a rare instrument in "alternative" music, so who are we to judge? I've been tempted by both, really. I love the banjo tone but miss the extra bass strings of the guitar for playing on my own and the small size of the mandolin for lead/fiddle tune work. And then, of course, there are banjo basses, banjocellos, etc. Even banjo dulcimers. And what about electric banjos? There's a lot of interesting things you can do with the banjo tone. As an aside, I have a frailing tab for a Flogging Molly song, if you're interested. The chorus might need a look, though. It’s true, banjitars and banjolins are both somewhat few and far between, but that said, the 5 string is somewhat a rare instrument in “alternative” music, so who are we to judge? I’ve been tempted by both, really. I love the banjo tone but miss the extra bass strings of the guitar for playing on my own and the small size of the mandolin for lead/fiddle tune work.

And then, of course, there are banjo basses, banjocellos, etc. Even banjo dulcimers. And what about electric banjos? There’s a lot of interesting things you can do with the banjo tone.

As an aside, I have a frailing tab for a Flogging Molly song, if you’re interested. The chorus might need a look, though.

]]> By: mike http://alternativebanjo.com/2009/01/02/picking-a-banjo/comment-page-1/#comment-22 mike Fri, 27 Feb 2009 23:15:10 +0000 http://alternativebanjo.com/?p=106#comment-22 Ah, thanks for the info. I probably should done a little more research on the 4 string banjo. I would have mentioned the 6 string banjo or the banjolin but they just really aren't that prevalent. The 6 string is like the banjo for lazy guitarist (I can say that, I am a guitarist ;). It's tuned the same way and the techniques are all the same as a guitar. But that said, they are still much to fun to play around with. Ah, thanks for the info. I probably should done a little more research on the 4 string banjo.

I would have mentioned the 6 string banjo or the banjolin but they just really aren’t that prevalent. The 6 string is like the banjo for lazy guitarist (I can say that, I am a guitarist ;) . It’s tuned the same way and the techniques are all the same as a guitar. But that said, they are still much to fun to play around with.

]]> By: Tony http://alternativebanjo.com/2009/01/02/picking-a-banjo/comment-page-1/#comment-20 Tony Thu, 19 Feb 2009 22:15:47 +0000 http://alternativebanjo.com/?p=106#comment-20 A quick mention: 4 string banjos aren't quite as simple as you make out. There's two types, the plectrum and the tenor. The plectrum is the one that is rarely played these days, but the tenor's still quite common in various types of music - because it's tuned like the mandolin (GDAE), it's pretty good for lead/melody work, fiddle/irish tunes, and still works pretty well when strummed. I don't think a tenor would be too great for Sufjan songs, but I wouldn't disregard it. I plan on getting one at some point soon; it's a whole different kettle of fish to the 5 string, and I reckon it'd be a pretty solid replacement to lead guitar in an indie rock band. And while we're at it, what about 6/12 string guitar banjos? Or banjo mandolins? :P A quick mention: 4 string banjos aren’t quite as simple as you make out. There’s two types, the plectrum and the tenor. The plectrum is the one that is rarely played these days, but the tenor’s still quite common in various types of music – because it’s tuned like the mandolin (GDAE), it’s pretty good for lead/melody work, fiddle/irish tunes, and still works pretty well when strummed.

I don’t think a tenor would be too great for Sufjan songs, but I wouldn’t disregard it. I plan on getting one at some point soon; it’s a whole different kettle of fish to the 5 string, and I reckon it’d be a pretty solid replacement to lead guitar in an indie rock band.

And while we’re at it, what about 6/12 string guitar banjos? Or banjo mandolins? :P

]]> By: mike http://alternativebanjo.com/2009/01/02/picking-a-banjo/comment-page-1/#comment-14 mike Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:16:12 +0000 http://alternativebanjo.com/?p=106#comment-14 Actually I think that's right. I'll change it to open back. Thanks! Actually I think that’s right. I’ll change it to open back. Thanks!

]]> By: Hallock http://alternativebanjo.com/2009/01/02/picking-a-banjo/comment-page-1/#comment-13 Hallock Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:02:25 +0000 http://alternativebanjo.com/?p=106#comment-13 Is it called a claw hammer banjo? I thought claw hammer was a style of playing. Forgive my ignorance if I'm wrong. Is it called a claw hammer banjo? I thought claw hammer was a style of playing. Forgive my ignorance if I’m wrong.

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