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Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/377776
stever4067 - Posted - 09/15/2021: 18:11:20
OK, SO i HAVE PLAYED GUITAR/BANJO,FIDDLE,MANDO...AND SEVERAL OTHER "things with Strings.....but for one reason or another I have missed what I think might obvious. (but until now, not to me)
When I capo my g- tuning 5 string at the second fret.....does it now become a a key of A instrument.
Thanks for your help.
Steven
Edited by - Texasbanjo on 09/16/2021 04:38:08
deestexas - Posted - 09/15/2021: 19:03:29
and at 4 frets, that 's a B, at 5 it is C. etc. Except you need to deal with the fifth string.
Ira Gitlin - Posted - 09/16/2021: 06:28:21
Not "a key of A instrument"; rather an instrument tuned aEAC#E. As has been noted here in many threads, the tuning and the key are two different things. It's possible to play in ANY key when you're in ANY tuning, though some tunings make it easier to play in certain keys.
(You may already know this, stever4067, but IMO it bears constant repeating, for the sake of less experienced players who may not understand the distinction.)
Edited by - Ira Gitlin on 09/16/2021 06:32:30
G Edward Porgie - Posted - 09/16/2021: 08:27:32
I absolutely agree with Ira here. The difference between "key" and "tuning" cannot be emphasized enough. I've pointed it out myself many times, yet it still seems to be overlooked.
Old Hickory - Posted - 10/07/2021: 20:56:11
quote:
Originally posted by deestexasand at 4 frets, that 's a B, at 5 it is C. etc. Except you need to deal with the fifth string.
That's true -- for songs, not the instrument -- if you play as if in G, treating the capo as the nut creating "open" strings at the 4th and 5th frets.
But what if, with capo at 4th fret, you play Peaches and Cream using the same fingering you'd use if playing it uncapoed in C? You're in E, not B.
The banjo is in tunings. Songs are in keys.
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