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Steve Mepsted - Posted - 08/18/2024: 03:26:33
Hi there - I have a few songs i've heard on guitar that I'd like to play, or at least approximate, on clawhammer to sing along with. Is there a trick or any tips to choosing the banjo tuning that would work best for songs played on the guitar in certain keys.
For exmple - I've been listening to a song played using the chords of in F-D?-C-C???? on guitar.
I'd like to know how to choose the banjo tuning that would best suit this. Hope that's clear.
Texasbanjo - Posted - 08/18/2024: 04:30:28
I'm not much of a clawhammer player, but why change tunings? Just use the F, D, C chords without changing tunings.
As long as you know the chords of the song, you don't need to change any tuning.
carlb - Posted - 08/18/2024: 04:34:08
I'd first pick the key most comfortable for you to sing in. As for chords, you may find my chord charts useful.
jack_beuthin - Posted - 08/18/2024: 06:17:10
Go to the second page of Carl’s chord chart and check out tuning #4 under “Other Tunings”. The fDGCD tuning is an F tuning, and as Carl says on his chart, it is basically the G modal/sawmill tuning with the 5th string lowered from G to F. Of course, you need to learn the basic chords No worries- all are explained and demonstrated in this video:
youtu.be/ZF92Pr36d30
Also, note that if you capo at the second fret, this tuning becomes an alternate G tuning.
Steve Mepsted - Posted - 08/18/2024: 08:00:45
Fantastic thanks very much for the reponses and the chart. Ill play around with them and find something that feels like the tune and allows me to sing along. S
Lew H - Posted - 08/18/2024: 09:30:33
You can play those chords easily out of open G, double C or drop C. My question would be: what key is the song in? If it ends on a C chord, I would suspect it is in the key of C, and likely use a C tuning. Or if it is in the key of F I would use the F tuning that jack_beuthin suggests. That is a wonderful tuning.
mmuussiiccaall - Posted - 08/18/2024: 10:54:23
Old Times styles relies on having either two or more strings tune to the root or the fifth of the key you’re in
Lew H - Posted - 08/18/2024: 14:48:55
mmuussiiccaall Two things. That's typical.in old Time, but innovation is possible. Steve Mepsted didn't say that he wants to learn an old time song--only that the wants clawhammer accompaniment on songs he has heard on guitar.
banjoak - Posted - 08/18/2024: 16:24:53
quote:
Originally posted by Steve Mepsted
Hi there - I have a few songs i've heard on guitar that I'd like to play, or at least approximate, on clawhammer to sing along with. Is there a trick or any tips to choosing the banjo tuning that would work best for songs played on the guitar in certain keys.
For exmple - I've been listening to a song played using the chords of in F-D?-C-C???? on guitar.
I'd like to know how to choose the banjo tuning that would best suit this. Hope that's clear.
You mention "a song played on a guitar", which I am unclear if just referring to a recording that the vocal is accompanied with guitar chords, or that the guitar doing something more that trying to incorporate? (it might be)
First, the way many think of a think of a song, you have a sung melody, then accompaniment just filling out basic harmony playing chords (maybe providing basic meter). For that perspective it doesn't really matter much if guitar, piano, uke, mando, banjo. To which as perhaps Sherry mentions, can just play chords. Treats any/all F, C, D chords as the same... no matter shape or the tuning; as long as can make chords needed.
quote:
Originally posted by Texasbanjo
I'm not much of a clawhammer player, but why change tunings? Just use the F, D, C chords without changing tunings.
As long as you know the chords of the song, you don't need to change any tuning.
Why change tuning?
Alternatively, role of accompaniment that goes beyond just strumming chords; delving into to different chord shapes, giving different voicing; as well as weaving in ornament (slides, HO, PO, drop thumb); often incorporating some of the melodic lines, fills, riffs, counter lines; and how these affects flow to the accompaniment. The tuning (along with capo) plays a part, opens up to accommodate these options.
CH banjo is often associated with more toward this latter (esp as solo) accompaniment.
how to choose the banjo tuning that would best suit
For me, it comes down to how it sounds; though how comfortable it plays is part; and sometimes have to make compromises. In initially trying to work it out, might experiment, try various options using common variations (like in carlb's chart). Of course with experience can recognize qualities; experimenting but often from copying playing other's arrangement and tuning... thus models for similar sounding songs/tunes using that tuning; use that as a good starting point (still might vary from that).
edit: forgot to add that I find the fDGCD tuning (or relative relation) as useful, one of my favorite go to for songs.
Edited by - banjoak on 08/18/2024 16:30:13
Steve Mepsted - Posted - 08/19/2024: 08:10:54
Great thanks very much - you've articulated what Im trying to do in choosing tunings on banjo
