Banjo Uke- the Tommy Gun of old time music

Here's a video clip...

For what it is worth- this is how I attack the banjo uke-

Listen to Linda H., Terri M. (Mrs. Paul Brown)- and the old Horse Flies (I like that attack best)

strings-

nylon

I use A D F# B

picks-

I use a pretty firm pick- and occasionally let it slap against the head to let the "drum" sound out

To play the Uke-

• think of a guitar
• throw away the two fat strings
capo to the 7th fret
• tune the fourth string up an octave

Play guitar chords-

I generally like closed positions, then it is possible to not hold the strings fully fretted and get a rhythmic sound without the droning of the open strings, or to hit the chord 1/2 step below the chord you are getting ready to play and "slide" into your intended chord.

Positions- (took the pictures myself- one handed- hope they help)

Click on the thumbnails to get bigger pictures.

	The F guitar position makes the C chord.
	Move that up two frets for the D chord.
	The C guitar position ( think of barring the whole chord just below the nut and playing the third fret on the first string with your little finger for a "closed" C position) makes the closed G chord.
	Move that up two frets for the A chord.
	The G guitar position (again think of barring the whole chord just below the nut and playing the third fret on the first string for a "closed" G position) makes another D chord.
	Move that up two frets for the E chord.
	Move that up one more fret for the F chord.
	The Dm guitar position is the Am chord.
	The Am guitar position is the Em chord

That's all the chords you need- and the positions I like to play them to give me a variety of rhythmic sounds and chords.

The standard technique seems to get a ROCK SOLID beat and hang onto it- see Horseflies and L.H.- however, I tend to hear the beat and play in the clawhammer banjo rhythm-

I think the Banjo Uke helps "pick up" the dancers when used in the middle of a contra dance- especially when changing to a modal tune. People tell me a little banjo uke can go a long way- (they also tell me to go a long way away to play)- if folks are playing sweet tunes or are frowning at you- give the Banjo Uke a rest-

But generally, have fun- it's all homemade music anyway- and folks should learn to have a sense of adventure about it.