wendellfiddler - Posted - 10/05/2017:  06:30:42

For a couple of years now, I've been playing a 19 fret tenor banjo and a tenor guitar using Chicago tuning (DGBE) - like the top four strings of a guitar and the most common baritone ukulele tuning - wondering how many other folks are using this tuning and also wondering if folks have attitude about it - :)

I play 5 string as well as fiddle, guitar, mandolin and chromatic harmonica (so I'm used to being the odd ball!) - I'm sure I could learn to play the four string with a more standard tuning (fifths?) but I'm pretty comfortable with the Chicago tuning and making good progress w jazz and swing chords on it. Do folks have suggestions on technique or direction that I might consider? Or perspective on the relative advantages or disadvantages or this tuning VS fifths?

Thoughts?

Doug Tanner

Jim Yates - Posted - 10/05/2017:  07:04:30

The name that pops into my head when I hear "Chicago Tuning" is Tiny Grimes. Tiny played jazz tenor guitar in Chicago tuning.



youtube.com/watch?v=DzVRc_ObYwk



Nick Reynolds of the Kingston Trio also used Chicago tuning, most often capoed at the fifth fret, givig him GCEA ukulele tuning.  I suspect that he was originally a uke player.

wendellfiddler - Posted - 10/05/2017:  07:53:19

Wow, I had no idea Tiny Grimes used Chicago tuning - thanks for the link to the great youtube with additional info too. He was with Cats and the Fiddle among other groups - I'm familiar with that group - great vocals. So, good company! thanks much.

Doug T

Culloden - Posted - 10/05/2017:  10:51:29

I doubt anyone will flog you for using Chicago tuning. If it is comfortable for you to play in then it is to your advantage to stick with it. How many people in your audience are really going to know?

37 years ago, in high school, we did the musical "Alexander's Ragtime Band." I played the tenor banjo in the band we put together for the production. Since I am a five string player I tuned the tenor banjo in DGBD so I could use the chords I was familiar with. No one ever knew the difference.

Omeboy - Posted - 10/05/2017:  12:43:09

Paul Scarvada plays the Chicago tuning, but Paul is a mega fret-monster who really excels on the banjo.

Edited by - Omeboy on 10/05/2017 12:43:36

Meles_Meles - Posted - 10/05/2017:  19:33:01

I use Chicago tuning on one of my tenor banjos and a couple of my Baritone ukuleles. Nobody's ever given me grief about it (but that may be because I'm 6'4").

Anyway, some songs work out better on Chicago tuning, just as some work out better on standard tenor banjo tuning (a.k.a. viola tuning), or even on my a-scale banjo. You just have to see what sounds better (or is an easier reach) for the particular song.

bassfiddlesteve - Posted - 10/17/2017:  21:11:38

I chose Chicago tuning because I already play ukulele and guitar and I had to pick up banjo in a hurry when the spot opened up in the trad jazz band I play in (I normally play string bass and the former pianist doubled on banjo). I started with a tenor banjo, but I find the plectrum is much better suited for Chicago tuning. I've found lots of references to this tuning for plectrum and I think it's fair to say it's an accepted variant, though purists may disagree. I've experimented with the traditional plectrum tuning and while it does yield some nice chord voicings, I don't want to switch midstream when I am playing gigs on banjo regularly and having to read charts and play new songs occasionally.

- Steve

theswingkid - Posted - 10/17/2017:  22:51:42

I'm a trumpet and guitar player who turned into a sometimes banjo player this year when the opportunity came up for me to sub in to some trad jazz bands(including in my own band where I normally play trumpet when our banjo player is not around). I've been using Chicago tuning to avoid having to re-learn a new system. So far so good but I have an opportunity to start playing banjo(at least on a substitute basis) with a more experienced group in town that will tolerate other banjos/tunings but really prefers tenor banjo in fifths. This being due to the wider voicings and better "cut' through the band(in their opinion) so I am considering learning tenor. It would be a fair amount of work but then again what part of music isn't a lot of- very fun- work?

Edited by - theswingkid on 10/17/2017 22:53:49

Muskrat - Posted - 11/08/2017:  02:42:03

quote:

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Originally posted by theswingkid

I have an opportunity to start playing banjo (at least on a substitute basis) with a more experienced group in town that will tolerate other banjos/tunings but really prefers tenor banjo in fifths. This being due to the wider voicings and better "cut' through the band (in their opinion) so I am considering learning tenor...

---

 A good plectrum banjo in Chicago tuning will have just as much cut or more cut than a tenor banjo. 

Jim Yates - Posted - 11/08/2017:  10:54:12

Probably the most recorded fretted instrument player was studio musician Tommy Tedesco. Although many folks have never heard of him, I guarantee you have heard him. Tommy did most of his work on guitar, but when he got a tenor banjo job, he used Chicago tuning. He used this tuning on his mandolin, bouzouki and any other fretted instrument required for the job, some of which he used only once or twice in his career.

I imagine this conversation and wouldn't be surprised if it actually took place:
"Hey Tommy, Can you play the banduria?"
"Sure."
"OK, you've got the job."
Tommy goes out and buys a banduria, tunes it in Chicago tuning and plays the session.