I have a recording king banjo uke. But because my son wanted to learn mandolin and his fingers aren't yet strong enough for an actual mandolin, I restrung the banjo uke like a fiddle or mandolin (with Aquila 30U Soprano uke strings in Fifths tuning). Then, I learned about banjo mandolins. And only recently learned about tenor banjos! Tenor banjos seem to be like a bigger version of my banjo uke-strung-like-a-fiddle, right? How do you all have your banjoleles tuned? Should I restring mine back as a uke (I want to play clawhammer and bluegrass on it, not Hawaiian) or keep it like a fiddle but change the strings to all steel (and would GHS 220 tenor banjo strings work)? My husband plays guitar and our kids play fiddle so I want to be able to play with them. Thanks!
12 Comments |
 | cb56 says:
2/19/2014 5:42:48 AM
I was a little confused at first as to who will be playing the banjo uke. Your son or you. I'll assume it's you.
You should tune the instrument however you want as long as it's useable in that tuning and you are comfortable with the tuning.
A couple things about ukulele tuning. High g re-entrant tuning gCEA is how I have my banjo uke tuned. You can play ANY kind of music with this tuning. IMO this tuning would be better for clawhammer because of the high 4th string being similar to the high 5th string on a 5 string banjo.
I've played my banjo uke in old time music jams and bluegrass music jams and fit in quite well. Sometimes the bluegrass folks will look cross eyed at you because "Bill Monroe never had one of those in his band" Old time jams are usually more accepting of it.
If you decide to go with uke tuning (once again it's really up to you) I would suggest Looking up Arron Keim's web page. Also EZ Folk. Both have info on clawhammer uke. I would also suggest ukulele underground forums. Lot's of helpful info there.
I would (and do) however avoid the clawhammer forums here at the banjo hangout. There are a handful of trolls that seem to run the place. Self appointed experts that shoot down any idea that is different from theirs and love to drag people's names through the dirt. In fact this is my first post at banjo hangout in months because of the hate filled venom on that forum. The only reason I posted here was because I started the group and got an email stating that there was a post and your question was a good one.
Anyway hope I've been helpful. Look me up at ukulele underground (cb56) if you decide to go that route, and happy picking/strumming with your family. My family goes out and plays at nursing homes and churches and it's always a blessing.
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 | bornold says:
2/19/2014 6:20:51 AM
I play clawhammer style and use many tunings, but I find that the uke standard tuning works best for the majority of tunes.
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 | Jim Yates says:
2/19/2014 6:37:43 AM
Unlike cb56, I've had a lot of luck getting good information from the BHO clawhammerers. There are a few people for whom I don't care, but they are easy to avoid. I think you'll find that most of the members are quite helpful.
I do agree with him about the re-entrant tuning being most useful for clawhammer uke playing. Good luck.
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| cb56 says:
2/19/2014 6:42:20 AM
Let me clarify. I certainly don't mean to paint everybody on that forum with the same brush. Jim is a good example of one of the helpful guys there. It's just the handful of bad apples there that ruin it for me.
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mquale says:
2/19/2014 11:25:06 AM
Thanks guys! That helps. Originally the banjolele was for my youngest but he now plays fiddle and a regularly tuned uke (with low G). My middle son plays fiddle and mandolin and my oldest plays fiddle and guitar. So I have played the banjolele to back them up at farmers markets. But I also play 5string banjo and mandolin so maybe retuning the banjolele like a uke wouldn't be so bad. Our other uke has a low G. It makes sense that if we play clawhammer on the banjolele it should have a high G, like you guys suggested. And yes I have found Aaron Keim's videos and books helpful! I wish there were more clawhammer uke sites or tabs available though. Thank you!!
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| cb56 says:
2/19/2014 11:51:30 AM
Another thing you can do for clawhammer banjo uke is instead of tuning gCEA you can tune the 1st string down a step gCEG and play most of the songs you know on 5 string banjo. It would be like playing you 5 string with a capo at fret 5 except your missing the low string. Worth a try
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mquale says:
2/19/2014 10:57:32 PM
Do you (any of you) have your banjo uke strung with nylgut or steel? I was thinking of using AQUILA 28U BANJO-UKE SET, but if I should get regular banjo steel strings do you have recommendations? Cb56, thanks for your tuning suggestion.
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| cb56 says:
2/20/2014 4:44:49 AM
I use standard nylgut uke strings. I don't like the wound strings. My banjo uke is concert size so I buy the all nylgut concert sized uke strings. They work great.
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| cb56 says:
2/20/2014 4:49:01 AM
as far as steel strings go, I've never tried them on my banjo uke. The uke might have to be set up differently for the added tension of the steel strings. I personally would stick with the nylguts.
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mquale says:
2/20/2014 10:04:12 PM
Thanks again, cb56!
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| Jim Yates says:
3/1/2014 4:45:11 PM
I agree with Chris, AKA cb56, about the nylgut strings.
If you're a Facebook person, you might find this page interesting:
facebook.com/groups/1981371170.../?fref=ts
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mquale says:
3/1/2014 7:21:27 PM
Thanks Jim! I just joined the FB page you recommended. How fun!
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