The Patent clearly shows a flat-pick (plectrum)įarris made both 8-string and 4-string versions. The patent for the Farris instruments was filed in 1884, and (These images are linked from Mike's MUGWUMPS site.) Investigated this subject, about 15 years ago: To the two earliest 4-string ads - found by Mike Holmes - when he whenever this topic pops to the surface again. So, where did the name "Tenor Banjo" come from.ĪND, you "Plectrum Banjo" players - Where did the name "Plectrum Banjo" come from? When? How?Īs usual. However, it is not clear what name the Association dubbed this instrument. In 1913, Morris writes,the American Guild of Banjo, Mandolin and Guitarist Ass'n adopted Universial Notation for this instrument so that the music is writtien one octave higher than it sounds. It might, with propriety, be called a Viola Banjo" it is really a banjo tuned like a viola in the regular violin orchestra. Wm (Banjo Bill) Morris wrote in 1922 about the "Tenor Banjo". The result could have been what we now term the "Melody Banjo" but I've never seen a "Melody Banjo" ca. Therefore, manufacturers eliminated the courses for just 4 strings. It has been written that within a couple of years players and dance band leaders opined that the 4 string courses produced too much sustain for the percussive sound desired. My guess is that Vega's "Tango Banjo" had 4 string courses and was tuned and played like a mandolin. IMO, the "slurred" derivation theory for the name "tenor banjo" is not credible. The tango banjo name soon became slurred and called a tenor banjo. Who has the "Kicking Mule" recording of the ensemble playing Gershwin? Now, for me I prefer the name "Merry Wang"! Maybe we can bring this name back? Eddyįrom Michael Hofer in "History of Banjos" http: About 1912, Vega in an effort to promote a banjo with steel strings for greater volume that could be strummed with a pick like a mandolin inspired Vega to create the "Tango Banjo" named for the popular dance of the day, this for dance bands. I use to have one like it with the violin scroll as well as 2 cello banjos (a Gibson and a B & D) which Cynthia and I used in the infamous New York Banjo Ensemble.
Someone on this list uses a picture of a beautiful little lead banjo as his or her logo. He says the Tango musicians in NYC loved the instrument because it could fill 3 rolls: 1 - melody 2 - harmony and three it was a percussion instrument. He refers to the (now called) tenor as the Tango Banjo.
#OME BANJO EDDY DAVIS HOW TO#
If any of you can find a copy of Aurthur Lang's 1921 Orchestration Book (it's long been out of print) there is some chapters on the various banjos and how to arrange for them. Aside from the Tango (tenor) banjos there are also small little 4 string banjos the size of Mandolin banjos, which were called Lead Banjos and were usually tuned G D A E (same as the Violin).
There are small banjos all over the floor for those string musicians to double on. So why is it not called an Alto Banjo? (Look at the NYC tango band pictures and the pictures of James Reese Europe's Clef Club Orchestra. Therefore it should play from the Alto clef as the Viola does. Now, the only problem with the Tango banjo being called a tenor banjo is it is derived from the viola, for viola players to have an instrument to double on. In Orchestra music The normal trombone is really a tenor trombone and played originally from the tenor clef.
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