Update: Despite the logical idea of staying in a more "even" open F tuning, it just doesn't work unless you plan to adjust head tension. It sounds good for clawhammer, so I'd say it would sound better on an open back with the head adjusted. I had too much resonation with the B (now A) string. However, I've taken a fondness to this F# tuning and it's actually opened up creative avenues that I haven't tapped into for a long time.
Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan have used Half Step Down Tuning as do Gospel Guitarists and Bassists, Banjo players should do it too (and virtually all Folk Players which means the Autoharp can keep the 21 or more Chord layout) so they can play in flat keys.
Hi "Acoustic Idaho", you can not mistake the "Outlaw Charlie Poole Attitude " of a true Authentic banjo player. Lol. (If your friends won't tune down to F#, well then they ain't your friends). I so enjoyed you video and subscribed to see more of them. The head of most bluegrass banjos are usually tuned to G# pitch, to minimize "howling wolf notes" which the 1st and 4th strings are notorious for. I have gotten a richer deeper tone by using a "fiberskyn" head on my banjo. Btw, your 4th string came "alive" in the F# tuning. "Banjer pickin', strong black coffee, and sweet tea, makes me want to get up and do my happy dance". Best regards, 👌 🪕🔥💨
Good little video. I used to tune down mine to F and using a capo on the 2nd fret ( 7th on 5th string) to play in G n it did well, but the gauge I used was 10, or 11. Kinda got the idea from John Hartford ( God rest his soul) who as far as I m concerned used to tune all the way down to E, using 11- 12 gauge strings. Another good idea might be using nylon strings instead of the steel strings to get a warmer sound. I ve never heard no one doin it, but I guess it could be an okay thought for those who find a 5string mastertone way too sharp n looking for something deeper, or mellow in tone. In this case I d reccon to use plastic fingerpics on all 3 fingers.
Great video !! Hope you see this question. How would it work to get into sawmill from this tuning? Leave the 2nd string at B while tuning all the others down?
I was thinking about playing worried man blues and tuning down now I come across this video and I am thinking is my ph spying on my brain anyway thanks for showing this
I have my Deering Calico in G open , in 440.Ok?, when you go down to F#, at what number go down of 440?.sorry my bad english, I was study in the school, an have 78 years old😂.Big hug from Argentina , and God Bless You.
yes my banjo has a more and better resonance and tone after f# tuning and it's easier for me to sing or hum to my playing but my head tenison is sky high but i have two more five stringers gold tone ob 300 gold plated and a morgan and recording king but i keep my deering eagle 2 in f#
@@acousticidaho no i have never played on an octave banjo but i can recomend you install the deering smiling bridge on your banjo my deering eagle 2 came with the smiling bridge and i playtested it on all my banjos yes it wil give you a better tone out of your banjo so i have order 3 bridges from deerin company
@@acousticidaho yeah, it was a little too low. Half step seems like the better deal. It's not necessarily the frets, but my B (now A) resonated with the majority of the chords I played. I think my banjo drum head may favor A for resonation.
