Tenor Banjo Country Blues |
|
 |
This page represents my thoughts on the tenor banjo and how to play it.
All information in these pages is solely my opinion
and represents
no consensus
of thought by the many people who have played the tenor banjo.
|
|
The normal tuning for a tenor banjo is CGDA, a system of fifths. The base string
is a C and the high string is an A. The base string imparts
an important tonality to the key so the key of C is the most
natural key, followed by the key G, for the banjo in its standard
tuning. The high note can serve as a drone for the key being
playde and the A note does not fit into the key of
C or G. Therefore
the
top string should be lowered to a G note. Lowering the top
string to G upsets the system of fifths but if all
other strings are kept as is, the relations of fifths
will still be quite functional.
|
| Therefore the tuning I use for the tenor is CGDG and I play primarily in the
key of C and quite often in G. All fingering learned in C can
be applied to positions up the neck for the G key and visa versa. |
| Country Blues Samples |
| If you prefer to keep the tuning standard (CGDA), I recommend using two C chord
positions, one at the second fret and the other at the 5th fret.
You can build quite a bit of melody between these two chord positions.
The C chord position at the 5th fret contains the fretted G note
drone. All the strings can be played open .Here a same of going
back and forth between the two C chord positions
and playing the open strings of A and C. |
| C chord positons |
| The open base C string works well with the C and F chord. The open G and D strings
work with the G chord. The open A string
works with the F chord. |
| |
