Banjo ukulele
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| Classification | String instrument (plucked) |
|---|---|
| Related instruments | |
| Ukulele, banjo | |
The banjolele (brand name; sometimes banjo ukulele or banjo uke) is a four-stringed musical instrument with a small banjo-type body and a fretted ukulele neck. "Banjolele," sometimes also spelled "banjelele" or "banjulele" is a generic nickname given to the instrument. The earliest known banjoleles were built by John A. Bolander and by Alvin D. Keech, both in 1917.
The instrument achieved its greatest popularity in the 1920s and '30s, and combines the small scale, tuning, and playing style of a ukulele with the construction and distinctive tone of a banjo, hence the name. Its development was pushed by the need for vaudeville performers to have an instrument that played with the ease of the ukulele, but with more volume.
Banjo ukuleles parallel banjo construction, on a smaller scale, in terms of overall construction. They are always fretted. Most are built of wood with metal accoutrements, although the mid-century "Dixie" brand featured banjoleles made from solid metal.
The banjolele neck typically has sixteen frets and is the same scale length as a soprano or, less commonly, concert-sized ukulele. Banjo ukuleles may be open-backed, or may incorporate a resonator.
Banjo ukulele heads were traditionally made of calf skin, but most modern instruments are fitted with synthetic heads. Some players prefer the natural skin heads for a more traditional tone. The bridge floats on the head and is held in place by the tension of the strings.
Like standard ukuleles, banjo ukuleles were originally outfitted with gut strings. Nylon strings are now typically used, sometimes with a wound third string.
The banjolele is commonly tuned G–C–E–A ("C Tuning") or A–D–F♯–B ("D Tuning"), with a re-entrant 4th string. The A–D–F♯–B tuning often produces a more strident tone, and is used for this reason. Both of these tunings are known as "my dog has fleas" tunings (fifth, tonic, major third, major sixth).
The banjolele was the instrument played by British comedian George Formby (1904–61), who developed his own style of playing in accompaniment to his comic songs. His name is associated with the instrument more than that of any other musician.
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