Soldier's Joy - clawhammer banjo with tablature 

Thanks Lyndon!

Hi Mark, It's a scale length of 26" on a 10 3/4" rim (not short scale, unless you play a long neck!). The banjo is a 1920 Vega Style M tenor (tubaphone) converted to a 5-string.

Thanks STP. It’s Double D tuning.

Hi Mark, It's a standard scale (26") banjo. The banjo is a 1920 Vega Style M (tubaphone) tenor converted to a 5 string. Thanks for asking!

I’m new to banjo and wish I would have purchased a short scale for ease of playing. Thanks for videos Jack. All these different tuning are a bit daunting.

Mark, If you are just starting, I would suggest sticking to one tuning for a while, at least until you get your chops. Most people start with either the G tuning or the Double C tuning. I prefer the G tuning because it is an open tuning, but either works. If you learn the G Sawmill tuning for "mountain minor" tunes after you get started, you will have the bases covered with those three tunings. Everything else is really "add on"--you can learn them at a later date if you want to.

I will certainly head in that direction in regards to open G tuning. From the looks of things we are about the same vintage so I have steep hill to climb but it’s leaning and enjoying the journey. Thanks again Jack

@@markriggins372 Yup, the main thing is to just enjoy it and to roll with the ups and downs. I've been playing for 53 years, and my goal every day is to get into beginner's mind. With the banjo, it's not all that hard for me.