I am currently showing a 5th grader how to restore an Oscar Schmidt Stella tenor banjo that was given to him. He is very excited to learn to play this instrument. My knowledge and experience with tenor is zero. Can anyone recommend and post the tab for an easy call and response tune for Clawhammer and Tenor that we can learn together? His playing experience is zero, so It will have to be something easy. I'm sure he will get it fairly quickly, as he is learning other instruments. Thanks, as always, for your reply.
I don't really understand your dilemma. Why do you want a call & response tune? Why can't you simply pick a song, each player learn it, and then play it together?
“Call and response” implies a song. I share tedennis’s puzzlement. Tunes do not have words. So do you seek a song for you and your pupil to learn an accompaniment to, or a tune to play the melody of? Second, if you are planning to teach the youngster tenor, how do you expect to do that if you only know clawhammer’? Maybe you should sort out the answers to my and tdennis’s questions while you work on the restoration. We can be of help only if we understand what you seek and expect to do. BTW, are you comfortable playing simple melodies with a flatpick?
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Originally posted by Bill Rogers“Call and response” implies a song. I share tedennis’s puzzlement. Tunes do not have words. So do you seek a song for you and your pupil to learn an accompaniment to, or a tune to play the melody of? Second, if you are planning to teach the youngster tenor, how do you expect to do that if you only know clawhammer’? Maybe you should sort out the answers to my and tdennis’s questions while you work on the restoration. We can be of help only if we understand what you seek and expect to do. BTW, are you comfortable playing simple melodies with a flatpick?
Thank you for your reply. While it seems a little fatalistic and condemning, I am sure that I can get this done. An example of a "call and response" tune would be "Groundhog." Another more difficult (and famous tune), where no words were ever sung to it when it was rising to fame would be "Dueling Banjos." This second tune is often played with a guitar as the accompaniment. As far as how I am going to do it, I guess I will have to learn a bit of tenor. I was merely looking for a tune that tab already exists for in both tenor and 5 string. Taking my life experiences in perspective, I feel comfortable attempting and succeeding at anything I set my mind to.
Edited by - Spudwheat on 11/17/2025 05:05:31
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Originally posted by tdennisI don't really understand your dilemma. Why do you want a call & response tune? Why can't you simply pick a song, each player learn it, and then play it together?
Thank you for your reply. An example of a famous, more-difficult-than-I-need "call and response" tune would be "Dueling Banjos." Since he has zero experience with a banjo, and is 10 years old, goes to school full time, that's a steep curve for him to just "learn" it. I was merely looking for something simple to help him feel immediately successful. I feel that this immediate success would really encourage him.
“Skip to my Lou” , two chords , strumming
It’s not call and response but it’ll work in a pinch….
From something simple, you can use the TOTW I last submitted. Check the Hey, Betty Martin links. You can play the first phrase and the other person can answer with the 2nd phrase.
https://www.banjohangout.org/topic/405649
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Originally posted by lapsteel“Skip to my Lou” , two chords , strumming
It’s not call and response but it’ll work in a pinch….
Thank you so much. This is right up the alley I am shooting for. I'll give it a try with him when we get the banjo finished.
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Originally posted by carlbFrom something simple, you can use the TOTW I last submitted. Check the Hey, Betty Martin links. You can play the first phrase and the other person can answer with the 2nd phrase.
https://www.banjohangout.org/topic/405649
Thank you so much. I'll check it out. I appreciate your suggestions.
