I do that with Home Sweet Home. Just tune down the 4th String to C. I practiced about 2 hours with my banjo today. Just played through some songs I already knew and worked on Reuben some. Its going to sound really good when I get up to speed. I just tuned the 3 strings down.
Discuss the Banjo lesson: Banjo Capo Strategy
There are a ton of great tunes in drop C. Check this one out. It’s one of my Fav’s
Earl played Nashville Blues in Dm tuning aDFAD. I like playing it in standard tuning with 5th string spiked to A. Here’s a recording with both. I start with two breaks in standard then Greg Cahill plays it in Dm tuning. Megan Lynch Chowning on fiddle.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/13ZCOc5exIrwCNd4scU9_5sRwdPnNfQlj/view?usp=drivesdk
That sounds really cool. Kinda like Ruben.
I have watched every Youtube video there is on using a capo, had lessons dedicated just to the capo, asked other banjo and guitar players and never got it until now! Your explanations and descriptions with hands on application showed me not only how to use the capo, but what it does and how it changes…well…everything! All other lessons told me how to move the capo up the neck and play from there, not why, or what actually is happening. I needed to know the “why” and finally, finally, have some clarity. THANK YOU!!
Hi @cmromp Christine
to @BanjoBen 's Forum. Ben is a great teacher, if there is ever a time you need something explained just give him a hollier and he’ll take the time to help. I have yet to come across any other banjo teacher who is that dedicated to helping their students.
Hi Ben, New here… thanks for some great content. Hope I’ve clicked the right reply button. Let me know if not.
Am i right in thinking that the reason you talk about C and D positions is that both of these keys feature open G so that you at least have one chord in the fully open position which is better for hammer ons / pull offs etc?
My sense is that the open G when in the key of C and D would be less useful because licks tend to finish in the root chord. Is that right? Or is it just a matter of getting used to it?
Thanks! - Oli
Hi @oliverdjohns Oliver
to @BanjoBen 's Forum. I think I’ll leave Ben to answer this one. I am sure he can explain his reasoning much better than I can.
Since you are talking capo I think you might find this chart by Donald DePoy helpful going forward.
If you look along the top line of the bottom chart. Playing out of the G position. Each fret increment indicates the Key of the capo position. i.e Capo at the second fret playing out of the G position gives you the Key of A
Likewise
If you look along the Second line of the bottom chart. Playing out of the C position. Each fret increment indicates the Key of the capo position. i.e Capo at the second fret playing out of the C position gives you the Key of D
Great question! It’s not just that it’s better for hammers/pull-offs, it’s also that for both of those keys, most all the open strings work for most every chord you will have. I think I have a lesson for this somewhere (if not, need to make one) that shows how to adjust your G licks to point toward the next chord.