American tuning

[Jason Cornwell]

Hello,

I’m interested in learning to read A tuning (American) and I would appreciate any tips and tricks you have to offer.  Are there any tutors in the library that anyone particularly recommends?  Also, what is the preference for using a banjo in “c” and transposing, versus having a separate banjo tuned to eAEG#B?   I’m considering stringing up a separate banjo with minstrel strings for the “a” tuning, partly for the pitch and partly because I think I would learn easier on an instrument different from the one I learned “c” tuning on.  Thanks in advance! 

[Joel Hooks]

Ah, now here is a subject I like to talk about!

Regarding a specific banjo and pitch: You can do whatever you want.  I like to keep a "smooth arm" in Bb which was the transitional pitch.   But consider that the pitch of A was generally discarded by the mid 1880s (exceptions apply).

As far as a tutor, just pick one:

https://archive.org/details/@joel_hooks/lists/2/banjo-tutors-a-nota...

Avoid the generic ones and go with those written by professionals.  They will all work.  Some work better.  Later tutors teach correct alternate fingering with is a MUST with classic banjo.

So, Fred Bacon, Weidt Sherwood, LeBarge, Eaton, and even Lansing's Practical cover alternate fingering. 

Weidt is likely the clearest and easiest going.  You could work out of a few of them just try to work evenly. 

For pure sight reading practice I love the Carl Fischer method.  This was published with various titles and covers and is really just a collection of short pieces and fiddle tunes.

In fact, A notation has a big advantage over C in that there is a large volume of two part short pieces and "fiddle tunes" available.  Converse's 230 Easy Pieces is good for this sort of practice too.  

[Jason Cornwell]

Thanks Joel, I didn’t realize that about the B-flat pitch.  Good to know!