campandstrum - Posted - 09/06/2022:  18:18:13

I recently posted about, looking at buying an “A' scale banjo for clawhammer. I have some elbow issues and I tune down a step and capo my current RK banjo at the 2nd fret to play it comfortably.


The only 2 off the shelf banjos that were recommended and they were the Gold tone which has the narrower 1- 3/16” nut width (I prefer a wider nut) and the Deering Parlor which has a thin neck (I prefer a standard or thicker neck). The better options were luthier built instruments, but there is nowhere to try them before I purchase one. I was thinking about just getting a normal scale clawhammer banjo and capoing 2 like I do on my other banjo, because I can find some standard scale banjos to try before purchasing.


If I show up to a jam to play clawhammer with a capo on 2 will most people assume I am playing in 'A'? I play guitar and I would not want to go to a jam, tuned down a step and capoed on 2, because when I played using "G' shaped chords everyone would assume I was playing in 'A' and would constantly need to remind everyone I was tuned down a full step. Is it the same when playing clawhammer? Or because you are mostly playing notes, not chords, people wouldn't assume you are playing in 'A'.

What do you think?

brettzke - Posted - 09/06/2022:  18:44:47

A banjo with a capo and a guitar with a capo are two completely different animals. Nobody watches a banjo player's left hand to see what key they're in!

BruceS2 - Posted - 09/06/2022:  20:48:16

Even if its a guitar with a capo, most see it down 2 and assume A. No one will care if you have the capo on and if they do notice they will also assume you playing in A...only another banjo player might try and follow you:)

Don't worry at all, totally normal state of affairs.

JollyRogers - Posted - 09/07/2022:  04:02:57

Wouldn’t you be in A and D mostly when at a jam? And when in G, you would do what you are referring to. Our jam circle rarely plays in G or C. And good lord, no one would follow me:-)

campandstrum - Posted - 09/07/2022:  08:30:46

Thanks for all of the responses. I feel much better about using my capo at a jam.

JollyRogers, I also play folk music and G works for my voice on some songs.

Paul R - Posted - 09/07/2022:  10:44:19

Lots of 12-string guitar players tune down a full step and capo up to concert pitch.

If there's any confusion among others about what you're doing - and there will most likely not be - a simple explanation will clear things up.