Banjolele
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The banjolele (brand name; sometimes banjo ukulele or banjo uke) is a four-stringed musical instrument with a banjo-type body and a neck with (typically) sixteen frets (shorter than a banjo, but longer than a ukulele). "Banjolele," sometimes also spelled "banjelele" or "banjulele" is a generic nickname given to the instrument, which was derived from the 'banjulele-banjo,' introduced by Alvin D. Keech in 1917. The instrument achieved its greatest popularity in the 1920s and '30s, and combines the small scale and tuning of a ukulele with the playing style and construction of a banjo, hence the name. The banjolele is commonly tuned GCEA ("C Tuning") or ADF#B ("D Tuning"), with a re-entrant 4th string. The ADF#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 (5th, Tonic, Maj 3rd, Maj 6th).
[edit] Popular culture
The banjolele (also commonly referred to as a ukelele or 'uke') 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. Other artists to make eminent use of the banjolele are Wendell Hall and Roy Smeck in the USA, and Billy 'Uke' Scott, Alan Randall and Andy Eastwood in Great Britain.
Queen member Brian May used a banjolele in the song "Bring Back That Leroy Brown", which appeared on their third album Sheer Heart Attack, and also "Good Company" on "A Night At The Opera" album. George Harrison also favored the instrument in his latter years, using it in several recordings.
In P.G. Wodehouse's novel Thank You, Jeeves, valet Jeeves is driven to resign over his employer Bertie Wooster's decision to take up the banjolele - a testament to the fact that the instrument has rarely been considered a 'serious' one, its propensity to comedy songs affording it a pejorative musical reputation.
[edit] Other uses
There is another, lesser known instrument that goes by the same name. It is any banjo string tuning (normally a four string tuning) on a small guitar shaped body. It is usually just a modified ukulele.
