michoud - Posted - 11/14/2009:  18:33:07

Hi folks!
I´m from Spain and new in this forum.
I want to buy a 4 string banjo.
I want it for play dixie, ragtime or country blues music, I dont know wich kind of banjo is the best for those styles, tenor or plectrum??
I´m professional musican, I play arabic music and blues music, and I love the sound of banjo so I decide to buy one banjo and begin to study.
Please help me an sorry if my english is not good

kirbonite - Posted - 11/14/2009:  20:41:09

I'm a 5 string banjo player but I can tell you this:

The tenor is often associated with Irish music. It is generally tuned to open A or Open C. It has a sharper tone (tenor)

The plectrum (I believe) is tuned to open G like a bluegrass banjo and is what you generally hear in Dixieland jazz.

that'a about all I know and I'm not 100% sure of myself So, hopefully more responses to follow. I'd go plectrum myself since I already play bluegrass.

K.

kirbonite - Posted - 11/14/2009:  20:45:55

youtube.com/watch?v=ljwCt7-SBs...&index=38

this is plectrum: I'm sure you know this piece as a spanish musician. I think it would work for arabic as well. it's got 4 strings you can tune it however you like whether I'm right or wrong.

Bill Rogers - Posted - 11/14/2009:  21:07:37

Actually the standard tenor tuning is CGDA, and it was the standard Dixieland band banjo, though some played plectrum. The Irish use is relatively recent and most often tuned GDAE, below the fiddle. Plectrum banjos are customarily tuned CGBD, same as standard C tuning on a 5-string. IMO, the tenor is more versatile for multiple styles, though arguably a 5-string would be the best choice for the three styles you want to play. It is the normal banjo for classic ragtime playing and is well-suited for playing blues (though I prefer a guitar). Probably least suited to Dixieland. I'd choose depending on what style you'll play the most.

Bill

NYCJazz - Posted - 11/14/2009:  22:08:43

You can play anything on anything.

Either tenor or plectrum will work just fine for all the styles you mentioned.

The scale of the plectrum is similar to a guitar.

Traditional tenor tuning has a greater range.

Compass56 - Posted - 11/15/2009:  07:23:05

Good luck in your banjo journey Michoud. Keep us posted.

Tony

banjopaolo - Posted - 11/15/2009:  08:52:39

Ola' Michoud
I'm from italy, so we're somehow cousin! I play (beside violin,guitar and other stuff) tenor banjo but also five string and sometime plectrum (but usually I tune it DGBE like the guitar without basses). Tenor tuning is my favourite, it is very easy to learn because it is symmetrical, it is also great because you have a greater range the chords sounds more spread.Five string (i use clawhammer tecnique) is great for a more archaic sound, and can be exellent for some really bluesy stuff. Plectrum (tuned guitar tuning) is more immediate if you're a guitar player I like it sometime because it is exellent for extended jazz harmonies wich I usually use. Anyway you can also change tuning, I have three banjos and always changing tuning from one to another....
best thing is to try!
to give you an Idea here are some videos I have on the tube:
youtube.com/watch?v=BA-HpEi0wwk
youtube.com/watch?v=sZglB15kLcY
youtube.com/watch?v=D-ndQA3OyRE
ciao
paolo

michoud - Posted - 11/21/2009:  07:38:02

Hi all1
Thanks for your answers!!!
Finally I bought a Tenor Banjo, Gibson TB-100 from the 60´s, I´m waiting for it.
What do you think about this banjo??
Also please tell me wich are the best books and dvd to learn how to play dixie and jazz with the tenor banjo (chords, technic...)
Paolo, my Italian cousin, I´ll check your videos
Thanks to all

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 11/22/2009:  01:32:48

Michoud,

A Gibson TB-100 tenor is - if set up in the best possible way - an indeed very fine sounding banjo. Only - it lacks some power and projection compared with a professional banjo.

I think, that you´ve made a fine choice purchasing this as your first banjo.

Regarding chord settings for tenor banjo - have a look at my site acoustudio.dk/TENOR%20BANJO%20CHORDS.htm - you´ll find 3-4 inversions of the most used chords in jazz music.

If you´ll want chords, forms and maybe lyrics for jazz tunes - mail me off-line - I´ll then mail you my personal book, containing 2-300 jazz tunes, some of them in more than only the original key.

Regarding books about techniques - others will have to help you - I´ve learned these the hard way - LOL!

Kindly regards and Good Luck

Polle

michoud - Posted - 11/22/2009:  07:40:27

Hi Polle1
Thanks for your answer, check your mail.
Wich jazz and dixie recordings you recomend me to listen (of your with tenor banjo incluided)?

yellowdog - Posted - 11/22/2009:  12:38:14

Hi Michoud

I play a 1950's era Gibson Mastertone tenor professionally in the Atlanta, Georgia area and wrote a 30-page book about making tenor chords. While it wasn't written for beginners, I think the first ten pages or so on chord theory will be helpful to you in understanding chords. Its a free download and you can download it at the link below and print it if you want to later. Best wishes and welcome to tenor banjo playing.

homepage.mac.com/frankgeiger/B...ing9.html

Frank Geiger

michoud - Posted - 11/23/2009:  10:13:49

Thanks Frank!
Please somebody can tell me some good dixie and new orleans old time jazz style recordings?
and also is there any book with cd, or dvd with dixie and old time jazz lessons for thenor banjo?

Edited by - michoud on 11/23/2009 10:16:34