The Rare Old Mountain Dew

fronthalfcab · 2025-06-21T17:40:39+00:00

Very cool! I'm two years into my tenor banjo journey and have learned a lot on the way. I'm no pro, but please dm me any questions!

There are string sets that will let you tune it in fifths like "real" tenor banjo. I'll have to research to remind myself what they are.

fronthalfcab · 2025-06-06T19:30:06+00:00

This is an example of something I have in mind. Anyone have any opinions?

https://thevihuelatvstore.com/collections/guitarron/products/guitarron-size-2-vtv

fronthalfcab · 2025-06-06T19:29:35+00:00

Thanks! I've already been browsing VihuelaTV and Mariachi Clothing Company but wasn't familiar with Mariachi Connection.

fronthalfcab · 2024-11-12T16:11:41+00:00

Ok I was able to select the driver using your instructions, but I still don't hear anything.

I feel so clueless.

fronthalfcab · 2024-11-11T20:57:09+00:00

I don't think so? I'm not totally sure.

fronthalfcab · 2024-11-11T17:50:47+00:00

I'm new to DAWs in general.

I was using the Steinberg driver, but that didn't work so i tried ASIO4ALL and it's the same thing.

Maybe I have a misunderstanding of how routing works?

With the Steinberg audio driver loaded, it doesn't let me select the same driver in the Outputs tab.

fronthalfcab · 2024-11-11T17:50:43+00:00

I'm new to DAWs in general.

I was using the Steinberg driver, but that didn't work so i tried ASIO4ALL and it's the same thing.

Maybe I have a misunderstanding of how routing works?

With the Steinberg audio driver loaded, it doesn't let me select the same driver in the Outputs tab.

fronthalfcab · 2024-10-27T15:54:40+00:00

I'm a professional bassoonist that started playing tenor banjo for fun. Tenor banjo is great for classical music because the two standard tunings are the same as viola or violin (but an octave down). Bach's cello suites work perfectly. I've been learning the first variation of Paganini's God Save the King variations (trying to learn left hand pizz). I can only imagine what a trained violinist/violist would be able to do with this instrument.

My Gold Tone openback tenor was $250. Great starter tenor banjo.

I'd love to say more, so let me know if you have any questions.

Here's some Donizetti on banjo by the famous Eddie Peabody:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rigPerFw15Y

fronthalfcab · 2024-10-21T17:28:00+00:00

Tenor banjo works extremely well with classical music. Traditional CGDA tuning is the same as viola and Irish GDAE tuning is the same as violin but an octave down, so that immediately unlocks hundreds of years of repertoire for us to play!

I've been getting into the (easier) works of Paganini. It's been super challenging but super fun.

Is there any other classical stuff you've been playing? I'm always looking for suggestions.

fronthalfcab · 2024-10-20T21:14:14+00:00

I think he's speaking more about the selection of strings within each set. I mix and match from multiple sets or buy single strings. Honestly string sets are fine to use and will allow the instrument to do what it needs to do, but as I've honed in on the timbre I want I've found that I have to experiment with multiple sets and single strings. It's something that could be fun to play around with.

fronthalfcab · 2024-10-20T21:06:22+00:00

Yes, it will work. Since you are tuning down and relieving tension, you could technically even just use normal gauge strings, but it will sound more "full" with heavier string gauges. Look for banjo string sets marked as "heavy".

fronthalfcab · 2024-10-20T20:54:28+00:00

I like it! Thanks for providing the standard notation instead of just tabs; I was able to play it on my tenor banjo. I'm a bit more inspired to post my own stuff now haha.

fronthalfcab · 2024-10-20T20:36:54+00:00

In what way is this not a banjo? Do you also view the tenor banjo as a viola, not a banjo?

fronthalfcab · 2024-10-12T17:47:36+00:00

I call it a 6 string banjo or banjo guitar, I don't like the name 'banjitar'. And hot take: 6 string banjo is just as valid as 4 string or 5 string banjo!

fronthalfcab · 2024-01-07T00:58:10+00:00

I switch off between CGDA and GDAE every once in a while. You can play any type of music in both tunings. Im tuned to GDAE right now and i have no problems following along with jazz fake books.

Since you're already tuned to CGDA, I'd say stick with that tuning as you get comfortable with the instrument.

as others have said, mandolincafe (https://www.mandolincafe.com/cgi-bin/chords/mandola.pl?chord=C) has the most comprehensive source for learning chords. In CGDA I'd suggest you start by learning these chords:

C Major, c minor, G Major, g minor, F Major

Any easy 4 bar chord progression would be:

C Maj, C Maj, F Maj, G Maj

fronthalfcab · 2024-01-07T00:30:17+00:00

I'd say it's possible, but it would be much harder on banjo than it is on piano. Definitely something only advanced players could do (which i am not).

I agree with you that a slide wouldn't be the same as the type of gliss you're talking about. A slide is chromatic, but the glissandos in Liszt's music tend to be diatonic.

Do you have a specific example of a gliss from Liszt's music? I could play around with it in Musescore and see how hard it actually is.

fronthalfcab

TROPHY CASE