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Subject: your banjitar videos
Date: Wed, 8 Sep 2004 08:54:56 -0400

i've been looking at your banjitar videos and have a few questions, some of
the videos seem to have actual songs that i could play, being of limited
fingerpicking talent i'm always looking for not to hard tabs, do you have
tabs of these performances, my second question is in what tuning are the
banjitars tuned to on the videos, mine is currently in dadgad so most of
what i play is what i invent, anyway thank you in advance for your answers.

Greetings,

Thanks for tuning in...I'll see what I can do to add tabs on these pieces...please stay tuned on our website on the online lessons section (linked from below)...

I use a variety of tunings...here a few listed:
1. Standard Tuning E A D G B E
2. Open G Tuning: D G D G B D
3. Drop D Tuning: D A D G B E
4. Open D Tuning: D A D F# A D

Hope this helps, Mickey

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Subject: 6 string banjo
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 21:30:53 -0500

Does a six string banjo tuned EADGBE have that "banjo" sound?

Greetings,

Yes, a 6-string banjo can be tuned to standard guitar tuning and still emulate that of a 5-string banjo (only not exact). It all depends on the chordal positions and chosen drone strings...I demonstrate this on our "Introduction to the 6 & 12-String Banjo" video...

You can also here snippets of the many banjoistic possibilities on our video samplers section:

http://www.folkofthewood.com/page319.htm

Let me know how else I might assist...we need more 6-string banjoists in the world...Mickey

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Subject: RE: Fwd: tuning a 6 string banjo
Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2003 19:56:17 -0400

The tuner I have is a Seiko Guitar and Bass Tuner Model ST-727. It is
powered by a 9-volt battery. I'm just a self -taught guitar strummer of the
basic chords. No fancy picking for me. I tried a 6-string banjo aboput a
year ago and thought the sound was pretty neat. My daughter found out about
it and they bought me one for Christmas. I am not at all familiar with the
names of 6-string banjos. This one is an Aria. Don't know the quality of
it. Thanks for your e-mail................Dave

I'm not too sure on how the Seiko works...however, if it's in working condition for tuning a standard guitar, you shouldn't have a problem using it to tune your 6-string banjo...the difference is that the 6-string banjo has a quick decay...so you have to watch the needle carefully as soon as you strike the string...since there isn't any sustain to keep the tuner's needle on pitch.

The Aria should do you fine...it's not a pro-level 6-string...even so, if set up correctly, you should be able to gain many years of enjoyment from it and it should serve well to learn what a 6-string banjo can do...

Best of luck to you...Mickey

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Subject: 6-string banjo
Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2003 22:49:25 -0500

What tunings are best for a 6 string banjo?

And, what are the tuning available...where can I find more info?

How do I know what chords I am playing when using a capo?

Thanks for any help.

MIke H.


Greetings Mike,

You can choose amongst all types of tunings including standard guitar tuning...I personally like open G tuning on my 6-string:

from low to high: D G D G B D...this is a closer approximation to 5-String Banjo tuning...and allows you to come closer to emulating the 5-String Banjo...additionally, it makes a great tuning for arranging solo pieces with alternating and moving bass lines.

To determine what chord you're playing, my suggestion would be to learn more music theory...so that with the understanding of how to build a chord, you can easily identify chords no matter what inversion you're using and where you're on the neck.

We do offer the one and only treatise on 6-string banjo as follows:
http://www.folkofthewood.com/page2296.htm

Hope this helps...Mickey
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