Love this tune, it’s one of those tunes where an auld country American farmer sits on his rocking chair and plays his banjo (not offending any American farmers young or old)
IN New York in the 1930s or so, there was a group called the Flanagan Bros and the one who played the banjo, I believe his name was Mike, had a short necked tenor banjo that he tuned up to DAEB. Another trad banjo player I knew had his tenor neck shortened by 2 frets so that he could tune the banjo up to DAEB. I have several short necked tenor banjos including some Gibson “Trap Door” banjos that were designed for musicians who were transitioning from mandolin to banjo so they were deliberately built with short necks. Although I use the GDAE tuning, the banjos I have could easily be tuned in the DAEB if that sound is desired.
I've played guitar for several years, but I just retired and wanted to try to learn the Irish Bouzouki which I absolutely love the sound of! At 69, my dexterity is not quite what it once was, but I got more time to learn now...I hope 😅.
Just starting with my new Tenor Guitar tuned in GDAD and hopet to be able to sit in on a session before I move onto the harp. I'm finding your introductory lessons very useful and I hope your still teaching Bob - is there more you've done following these initial videos?
Brilliant. I play guitar in a Shanty band and not all the tunes are in C or G. Bought a chord book but find chords a bit difficult to hold down as neck is small and hands are big. Is there any way around this. Thanks .keep up the good work
I would look at a 12 string. Longer necks. Look at either an Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Hummingbird 12 string, or a Taylor 150CE. Both come under a grand. See if your local music store has any and try some out. The one that resonates with you the most is the one you should get. I hope that helps you out!
I have mine tuned to the same note. Some people play with the G and low D pairs an octave apart. Makes it sound bright and jangly, I prefer the fuller bass sound of unison strings.
I've started syncopating/swinging all the traditional songs I play on tin whistle and it's loads of fun. Then when going back to a straight sound, it helps with the time keeping a lot.
Daft question - what tuning best with Scots trad? I know guitar has standard and a few others (e.g. DADGAD) - what is best for bouzouki? it will be easier for me to pick up if it is a mandolin/fiddle reverse guitar tuning!
If you're playing anything with chords the GDAD is probably best. Gives you easy access to keys of G, D, and Em, and can be capoed up to 2 for A and Am. If you are just playing melodies and already know fiddle/mandolin tuning then you'll probably find it easier sticking to GDAE.
