Monday 28 November 2011

Brief Explanation On How To Tune A 6-String Banjo

By Josh Tipler


The banjo is a very old traditional musical instrument that is used to play country music, jazz, bluegrass and other musical forms. The most common and oldest versions have four or five strings but in the mid 19th century a British designer crafted the first 6-string banjo that is equally as charming. Most people find this version agreeable to play and enjoy it for the distinct banjo sound. Here is a simple guideline of how to tune a 6-string banjo.

To do this easily and accurately, acquire an electronic tuner. Clip the gadget onto the headstock of your banjo, twist the display where you can easily see it and find a suitable sitting position for the procedure.

Remember that the 6-string version is tuned in a similar fashion as the guitar i. E., E-A-D-G-B-E notes, and the same tuner can be applied. If you can easily pluck the strings and at the same time watch the tuner display then you are good to go.

The thickest and lowest chord is the one that begins and is tuned to note E. Pluck the wire continuously and establish if the indicator reads E or not. When its pitch is lower than required the indicator will point towards D which means that some tightening is required.

If the indicator moves to F then you know that the string is too tight and requires some loosening at the peg. The optimum position is where the tuner displays the note E when the wire is plucked. Next is the second thickest string which is tuned A. Always make sure you first of all loosen the strings before adjusting to ensure that the wire stretches uniformly without forming nodes. As with the first chord, check that as you pluck and adjust the peg the display gives you the required note and in this case the note A.

Having succeeded in that move on to the third wire and peg it until it hits the note D. Follow the same procedure for all the other strings and finally tune the sixth wire to a high E. When you are turning the pegs try to do it gently and slowly until you achieve correct note without forming nodes.

You can tune your banjo online if you have a reliable and high-speed Internet connection plus a good microphone connected to your PC. Online tuning websites require that you pluck the strings into the microphone and follow the instructions to successfully complete the task. Purchase an electronic turner and as you use it you will become an expert in no time.




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