It would be a sad crying shame if there could only be ONE musical instrument.
But, if there was only one - and if I had to choose it - it would be a 3 stringer.
People, they sound so good, they are so versatile and so easy to play.
And it is the one instrument that I can play at an above mediocre level. Better yet, I can make my own AND play it.
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Yup, Marc. :)
I tend to play almost exclusively 3 strings. I do go to four when I play this beautiful banjo I bought from W. Sam it sounds fantastic so I can not help myself. Still there is something about those 3 strings that is as exciting as riding a bull! I also like the way my voice works with partial chords I especially like the way 3 strings forces me to think differently about how I plan to get a note, which note, do I even really need that note. I am a less is more kind of player anyway so this all just feels right to me when I play. Even the 3 stringed banjo I play is more to my likeing than a five string I own. Still got to love Sams 4 stringer.
Well said, Matthew. I am guessing your 4 string banjo is a DGBD or DGBE. I just finished a homely but good playing banger. I have it tuned high G drone (using a guitar small E) - then DGB. So pretty much I have a high drone with a 3 string banjo.
Uncle John I would love to know how you like that? I am either goint to try that next or build a 3 stringed cigar box banjo fretless. I have a wonderful 3 string fretted one built by Diane in Chicago with steel strings but lately I have been really liking the sound of fishline strings, particularly on a video of Dennis Havlena playing a 3 stringed fretless banjo he made. I thought I might try that. Still I have heard some wonderful sounds from one set up like you describe. I just want to clawhammer it. Nothing sounds better to my ear for some of the old time songs I play let me know how yours plays, or better yet I would love to see a video.....matt
Well, first off, I like it when it has all 4 strings! Using that high E from a guitar set has turned out problematic. It just broke for the second time. I liked the sound a lot when it was a 4 string and it played easy for me as I play a lot of DGB.
Claw hammer. That is on my list of likes and want to learns. If I get this string problem straightened out, I may give it a try.
Been playing four strings exclusively for the last few months and it's grown on me. Still have the 3 string draw to play off of but the extra string just opened things up for me.
I'm going to pull a simple 3 off the wall tonight and see what happens.
Huh. Kevin they are like harmonicas. We need a bunch. I have them right now in GDg, AEa, CGC, and DGB. And I occasionally retune a fretted GDg to AD F#.
That 9th fret kind of minor chord sound is a recent learn for me. Sure makes a nice Em or substitute on a GDg.
You are surely right on the instinctive thing. Saddly, I am an uptight old bastard who can only get there infrequently. But it is thrilling when I can.
That has worked well for me, Kevin. Another benefit of cbgs - I played my recently refurbished six string quite a bit the last few days. Not very comfortable with arthritic shoulders. The CBGs win there too.
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