ABF - Classic Banjos

The classic banjo developed from the banjos used on the minstrel stage. It was a 5 string fretted banjo with a skin head and gut or silk strings. Modern banjoists often substitute synthetic heads and nylon strings. Two tunings were used in the 19th century. The United States tuned E-A-E-G-B while Great Britain tuned higher to G-C-G-B-D. The British tuning has become standard so the old U.S. music must be transposed. Some music was composed for a "raised bass" tuning meaning the 4th string was raised one tone. This style of banjo is played fingerpicked at our rallies. We get so few opportunities to play classic banjo that we discourage any other type of instruments or playing at the rallies.

Banjos became very popular so banjo bands were organized to play for concerts and dances. As the music and players developed greater artistry, they looked for something more than just a 1st and 2nd banjo. The banjo orchestra developed to expand the range of music. The 'standard' 5 string banjo plays the 1st and 2nd banjos. A cello or bass banjo is tuned an octave lower. It establishes a bass rhythm for the orchestra. A banjeaurine, a smaller banjo tuned a fourth higher to C-F-C-E-G, provides a higher pitched melody instrument. A piccolo banjo, tuned an octave higher than the standard instrument, plays an obbligato.