[Dixielandjazz] What is a banjo?

[Russ Guarino]

The only negative I've seen with the five string is, as my guy does, it needs to
re-tuned every time we change keys as the songs go by.  It causes a short delay
and we have to be quiet so he can hear.

The five string banjo has worked very well in my Dixie band.  We have several
novelty numbers where Dave cuts loose with some real finger pick'in solos.  He
does a "Washington and Lee" solo for 1&1/2 chorus at a fast tempo whereupon our
Bass Sax joins with a moving bass line and then the drummer comes in with
brushes. Great tune.

Russ Guarino

Tom Belmessieri wrote:

> The 5-string banjo is not used in jazz but used in country or folk music,
> especially Bluegrass.  The 4-stringers are usually strummed while the
> 5-stringers are usually plucked.  That 5th string is called a drone and it
> is plucked along with the rest of the strings in any one of several rhythms
> depending upon the style of the tune or preference of the banjoist.
>
> Tom Belmessieri
> ----------
>
> >From: Russ Guarino <russg at redshift.com>
> >To: TCASHWIGG at aol.com
> >CC: dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
> >Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] What is a banjo?
> >Date: Fri, 04 Mar 2005 13:50:01 -0800
> >
> >The fifth string  in the five string banjo is not played.  It just humms
> >along.
> >That's my understanding.
> >
> >Russ Guarino
> >
> >TCASHWIGG at aol.com wrote:
> >
> > > In a message dated 3/4/05 12:25:23 PM Pacific Standard Time,
> > > john at pembery.co.uk writes:
> > >
> > > >
> > > > Four string banjo's include tenor banjo's the preferred rhythm
> > > > instrument in Dixieland and New Orleans jazz, and the longer plectrum
> > > > banjo, which is better for chord melody.
> > > > Five stringers have no place in jazz unless you do away with the fifth
> > > > string .
> > > > Best wishes,
> > > > Ols Fenland banjo player.
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > > Hi John:
> > >
> > > Aha!  But wait, mate that brings up the main premise of Jazzing no?
> > >
> > > For them what can play a lot more notes why not have five strings to do
> >it on
> > > rather than be fettered by the limitations of only four strings.  ?  :))
> > >
> > > And those that can't figure out what else to do with the fifth string
> >can
> > > always take their teeth out and floss them during drum breaks, or use it
> >as spare
> > > "G" String if they are playing for strippers.  Or in the worse case keep
> > > attached as a handy spare string in case they break one of the others.
> >:))
> > >
> > > Another good use for it might be as a shoulder strap in case they want
> >to
> > > stroll, or a Garrote to use on the Drummer when he gets fidgety feet and
> >runs
> > > away with the tempo.
> > > Besides it's one more to be out of tune all the time.
> > >
> > > Heck I have a jazz friend who plays a Seven String Violin, and very well
> >too,
> > > and I have also witnessed Fiddle players like Doug Kershaw play great
> >shows
> > > when he had played so hard he had broken all but two strings on his
> >fiddle, and
> > >  when the Bow hairs broke loose from one end of the bow he just flung
> >the
> > > hairs around the body of the violin from underneath, grabbed them with
> >his hand
> > > and played the rest of the song with the hairs stretched across the two
> >strings
> > > in a triangle.   What a showman, and he played the right notes too.
> > >
> > > It ain't what you play so much as it's how you play it ain't it?
> > >
> > > The only Banjo I ever played around with was a young lovely lady
> >banjoist
> > > many years ago,it turned out to be a very lovely instrument once I got
> >it off her
> > > lap.   :))
> > >
> > > Well, it is a Slow rainy silly Friday in California. !   Might as well
> >have
> > > some sport with the Banjo players.  :))
> > >
> > > Cheers,
> > >
> > > Tom " Mama don't allow No Banjo playin around heah! " Wiggins
> > > She don't tolerate much Washboard playin' either. :))
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> >
> >
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