So i’ve got my tenor, and boy am I in love with the thing. Thus for i’ve transfered about 20 tunes I know to to it, and have got tons more. It’s actually very similar to the flute is some strange way, very linear and intuitive I think. So my question for you folks, there appears to be two ways to finger it, one is where four fingers of the left hand are right in a row, i.e. one per fret. The other way seems to be just like a fiddle, or mandolin. Right now I can play both ways no problem, and they both are just as comfortable. What is considered the more acceptable fingering, any pros or cons with one system vs. the other? Just for eye candy I posted pics of my new baby.
You’ll probably find it easier to do “guitar” fingering since you’ve got 19 frets. “Mandolin” fingering seems like a bit of a needless stretch unless you’re planning to actually play mandolin, too.
That’s a beauty of a banjo, by the way!
No real concensus on that one I’m afraid. Gerry O’Connor uses the 4-in-a-row whilst most others use the Index=1st 2 frets, middle=next 2, etc. One advantage of the latter method is that you can play the high B on the e-string (assuming Irish tuning) with your little finger without moving out of 1st position. This is a really common note in ITM reels. Also you can do runs like E F# G A B on the e-string which are tricky with the 4-in-a-row method. Doesn’t seem to stop Gerry mind you but then he’s actually half-man, half machine so it doesn’t count.
That thar is one nice frying pan for a man with 20 tunes. Lovely. Best of luck with it. Make sure it gets lots of playing.
Lovely. Best of luck with it. Make sure it gets lots of playing.