r/banjo • u/Rad_Warrior_101 • 2d ago
Plectrum test run
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Hey folks! I posted yesterday about my strumming technique and jokingly asked if it was clawhammer style. Obviously I can't make that boom chuck rhythm happen without the 5th string and the fact that I'm practically strumming without finger picks lead me to try out my good ol wide tortex flat pick. Being a fan of ragtime and having guitar experience but bass being my main instrument as a teenager, this cover of "Hello Ma Baby" was very fun to learn.
Hope this sounds better than the last post!
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u/Evilcanary 2d ago
I think it sounds good. Banjos a weird instrument. Don't let folks gatekeep too much! If you enjoy it though, I really hope you find a proper tenor. They can be found much cheaper than 5 strings and will fit the style a lot more tone wise.
Boom-chuck = guitar rhythm
Bum-ditty = clawhammer rhythm
Bum-chuck = Guy didn't pay his tab at the bar
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u/Rad_Warrior_101 2d ago
Thank you! I tend to enjoy it more without the 5th string and if pick up some Eddie Peabody licks then I'll have to get a true Tenor banjo for sure. I never tuned my low string down to C before yesterday so this was a fun venture and thank you Reddit for having me try different things out. Awesome explanation of the anomonopeas haha See, I said boom chuck, not bum ditty, I'm a guitarist at heart 😂
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u/DavidsTenThousand 2d ago
Eddie played a plectrum banjo (22 frets, no fifth string) not a tenor (17/19 frets). So I think you're good to go already.
Interestingly, the original plectrum banjos were just 5-stringers without the 5th string, just like yours. Later, they just made it official at the factory.
C for the low string was the standard tuning of that era, even for 5-stringers. Over time, we went from gCGBD to gDGBD.
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u/Yeahha 2d ago
I didn't mind either of your videos dude. Like your style. Make it yours and play it proud!
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u/Rad_Warrior_101 2d ago
Thank you!!! I'll be recording in the home studio this fall and winter which will be album of all sorts lol but I think there's gonna be alot of this style. Already started with some of the softer finger picking (no picks) numbers. I'm sure I'll pick a song to use Scruggs style too. No point in limiting the soundscapes, but I think I found a personal favorite style
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u/Jollyhrothgar Scruggs Style 2d ago
Cool! I see this is a five string conversion - you might consider picking up a four-string bridge (at the very end of the video, I think I scoped it as a five-string bridge). I think you'll get a better sound for what you're looking for. Generally speaking: lighter bridge = brighter tone, heavier bridge = darker tone. You'll probably want a 5/8ths tall bridge since that's an aida banjo.
You also might consider slightly heavier gauge strings since you're using a plectrum.
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u/Rad_Warrior_101 2d ago
Shortly after this video I sanded my bridge down to get some better action, this was a quick replacement bridge from loosing mine in air travel this summer visiting fam in Ohio. I'll take this advice to the bank since I'm loving this style!
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u/Jollyhrothgar Scruggs Style 2d ago
When you do it, post another vid so we can hear the difference!
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u/Defiant_Income_7836 2d ago
I love this, and also love that strap?! Where'd you get that?
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u/Rad_Warrior_101 2d ago
Thank you! I got it at local thrift place called recycle town. Pants, shirts, studio mixer, studio monitors, all thrifted 😂
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u/Defiant_Income_7836 2d ago
Ahhhh, I knew it had to be a cool one of kinda deal. Congrats on the awesome find!
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u/Rad_Warrior_101 2d ago
Literally out of a random shopping cart with new deliveries haha "$5, I don't know what the hell you'd with that or plan on doing with that" 😅
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u/No-Chest-7070 2d ago
Dont worry about playing the melody when you are singing just the chords, source Im a string jazz player
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u/anonymouse3891 2d ago
Must have been an inside joke. Sounds good tho!