Banjo Uke - the Tommy Gun of old time music!

Here's a video clip of the Banjo Uke in action...

For what it is worth - this is how I attack the Banjo Uke -

Listen to Linda H., Terri M. (Mrs. Paul Brown) - and the old Horse Flies (I like that attack best)

My choice for strings -

I use nylon strings: A, D, F#, B

My choice for picks -

I use a pretty firm pick - and occasionally let it slap against the head to let the "drum" sound out

To play the Uke -

think of a guitar
throw away the two fat strings
capo to the 7th fret
tune the fourth string up an octave

Play guitar chords -

I generally like closed positions, then it is possible to not hold the strings fully fretted and get a rhythmic sound without the droning of the open strings, or to hit the chord 1/2 step below the chord you are getting ready to play and "slide" into your intended chord.

Positions - (took the pictures myself- one handed- hope they help)

Click on the thumbnails to get bigger pictures.

C Chord	The F guitar position makes the C chord.
D Chord	Move that up two frets for the D chord.
G Chord	The C guitar position ( think of barring the whole chord just below the nut and playing the third fret on the first string with your little finger for a "closed" C position) makes the closed G chord.
A Chord	Move that up two frets for the A chord.
openD Chord	The G guitar position (again think of barring the whole chord just below the nut and playing the third fret on the first string for a "closed" G position) makes another D chord.
E Chord	Move that up two frets for the E chord.
F Chord	Move that up one more fret for the F chord.
Am Chord	The Dm guitar position is the Am chord.
Em Chord	The Am guitar position is the Em chord

That's all the chords you need - and the positions I like to play them to give me a variety of rhythmic sounds and chords.

The standard technique seems to get a ROCK SOLID beat and hang onto it - see Horseflies and L.H.- however, I tend to hear the beat and play in the clawhammer banjo rhythm.

I think the Banjo Uke helps "pick up" the dancers when used in the middle of a contra dance - especially when changing to a modal tune. People tell me a little banjo uke can go a long way - (they also tell me to go a long way away to play it!)- if folks are playing sweet tunes or are frowning at you - give the Banjo Uke a rest.

But generally, have fun - it's all homemade music anyway - and folks should learn to have a sense of adventure about it.

Questions? send mail here: bassbox@charter.net
John (I take requests, but this Banjo Uke won't fit there) Kelley

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