I've been playing around with Little Birdie. I wondered why it had taken so long for me to get to a lovely and easy tune like that, but now realise it's because of the tuning.
There is a brilliant and really useful list of banjo tunings here https://www.hangoutstorage.com/banjohangout.org/storage/attachments/archived/files/tunings-master-list-34171922018.pdf
and Little Birdie tuning is near the end.
This article quotes the early banjo player Pete Steele from Kentucky saying (almost) "There ain't nothing but Little Birdie played in that tuning." And that's the truth. I'm sure there are people playing some other tunes, but almost exclusively, eCGAD is used for just Little Birdie.
Which makes it not so very useful!
So, long story long, I wrote a tune in Little Birdie tuning, and called it "Ain't nothing but ..."
And I really like the result, I hope you do.
This feels like it would work as a session tune, maybe in D for the fiddlers? Capo on the second fret would give you this in D.
Let me know if you would like tab or a walkthrough.
Edited by - Andyrhydycreuau on 04/28/2025 03:15:45
quote:
Originally posted by AndyrhydycreuauThis article quotes the early banjo player Pete Steele from Kentucky saying (almost) "There ain't nothing but Little Birdie played in that tuning."
Not true.
Ooh, that's nice @carlb! I did say almost. If any more come out of the group brain then all's the better.
Not sure where or when (or if) Pete Steele said what is reported either.
Compared to other tunings this is a sparse one for sure, I guess that's my point.
I wonder if there is another tuning so closely associated with a single tune and not very much else?
"Single Girl" is just Little
Birdie to my ear, but I might be wrong about that too!
Edited by - Andyrhydycreuau on 04/28/2025 06:00:07
Lovely tune Andy!
It is funny that this tuning (exept for the fifth string of course) is very close to standard Tenor tuning! (with the A one octave lower)
quote:
Originally posted by banjopaoloLovely tune Andy!
It is funny that this tuning (exept for the fifth string of course) is very close to standard Tenor tuning! (with the A one octave lower)
Thanks Paolo,
I hadn't noticed the CGAD / CGDA coincidence until now. I'd love to hear a fiddle part to this, I guess D would be easier?
quote:
Originally posted by Andyrhydycreuauquote:
Originally posted by banjopaoloLovely tune Andy!
It is funny that this tuning (exept for the fifth string of course) is very close to standard Tenor tuning! (with the A one octave lower)Thanks Paolo,
I hadn't noticed the CGAD / CGDA coincidence until now. I'd love to hear a fiddle part to this, I guess D would be easier?
C Is a confortable key for violin too... if I find a quiet moment I'll try it
quote:
Originally posted by banjopaoloquote:
Originally posted by Andyrhydycreuauquote:
Originally posted by banjopaoloLovely tune Andy!
It is funny that this tuning (exept for the fifth string of course) is very close to standard Tenor tuning! (with the A one octave lower)Thanks Paolo,
I hadn't noticed the CGAD / CGDA coincidence until now. I'd love to hear a fiddle part to this, I guess D would be easier?
C Is a confortable key for violin too... if I find a quiet moment I'll try it
I'll send an SMS. Thanks Paolo!
This is quite nice, Andy. I've always enjoyed little birdie, but resisted learning it because I don't want to bother getting into an unusual tuning that I don't play anything else in. Maybe this will convince me to work out another tune in the same so that I have an excuse to finally get on to little birdie.
Edited by - SatCotM on 05/13/2025 15:21:20
quote:
Originally posted by SatCotMThis is quite nice, Andy. I've always enjoyed little birdie, but resisted learning it because I don't want to bother getting into an unusual tuning that I don't play anything else in. Maybe this will convince me to work out another tune in the same so that I have an excuse to finally get on to little birdie.
Thanks! That was my reason for leaving little Birdie out of my list. Thanks for the comment!
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