E-Mails: Banjolele Tunings

Date: Thu, 30 Dec 2004 23:25:34 +0000 (GMT)
From: "Rachel Eley" <________@yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: the sound of one hand raised
To: "S. Sandrigon" <_________@yahoo.com>

How is a banjolali tuned?
We have acquired one.
r
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Date: Thu, 30 Dec 2004 22:09:30 -0800 (PST)
From: "James Welsch" ________@yahoo.com
Subject: Dude
To: "Rachel Eley" <_______@yahoo.co.uk>

banjo dictionary: http://www.pamelasmusic.co.uk/pages/Banjo%20dictionary.htm
possible tunings: http://www.irish-banjo.com/instruments/banjolele/tunings.html

Here's the deal with banjos: they are often tuned like guitars (or something with both fourths & thirds) for rhythmic purposes & making chords, &c. (like the baritone uke, the upper part of a guitar, which is d g b e) & making chords, &c. I recommend this approach. For melodic purposes, they are tuned like violins, violas or mandolins (in fifths; like for in Irish music or classical music, a banjo is tuned like a viola.)

My only experience with the banjolele is from an amazing group called the "Horse flies", which you should try & find their recording calld "In the dance tent". They play minimalist folk hippie dance jams. They use it percussively, such that it doesn't matter what notes are being played.

Peace,
James

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Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2005 20:00:45 +0000 (GMT)
From: "Rachel Eley" <______@yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: and three haggi came from the east and Mary said "yuk"
To: "S. Sandrigon" <_______@yahoo.com>

[...]

They took my banjolali away. Not Amanda and Michael, the Fates. It was recalled to it's former unloving home. Apparently the teenage daugther of the household has recently formed an obsession for Kenny Chesney, though why this requires the poor instrument I don't know. Just as I had worked out that "Suzanne" played with sufficient relentlessness was the key to making the world do as I say. A real shame.

Hope your radio silence is an indication of great activity and high times.

Love Rachel