Banjo Ukulele 101: Beginner guide to the banjo uke

If you're new to the world of the banjo uke, this video is for you!
Link to my buddy Daniel's awesome KZbin channel - / circuitsandstrings

[@zeusruger3588]

I am that 1 individual who found a banjulele, and decided i want to play it... and now i am here,

[@MilesRamsay]

Haha. I knew I’d find you! 😀 glad to have you here!

[@elliotorion7846]

SAME!

[@DenMamaMedia]

So did I! :) Well I played guitar a decade ago but haven't touched and thing stringed since. 🥰

[@the_misfit_chella_4_realla855]

Hey me too!! Day one, about to take it out of the box (; How’s your musical journey treating you so far?

[@joeplukas]

Me too. I feel targeted!

[@lordenoo6]

Nope, it's my first stringed instrument. I like the sound of the banjo, but think it takes a life time to learn. The Ukulele, people play that in mouths. So I'm putting the to together.

[@the_misfit_chella_4_realla855]

Hey! I am literally walking home from picking up my very first musical instrument EVER, and it’s a banjo ukulele!! I’ve never played a musical note in my life! Teach me your ways sensi!! Lol 😂 Just wanted to let you know, it is VERY possible to ‘just’ pick up any instruments for the first time, and now you can say you “know” someone who did just randomly pick it up one day… I went to get a toaster oven… and canceled ALL PLANS AFTER SEEING THIS MAJESTIC BEAUTIFUL CREATURE OF MUSIC. Seriously, I abandoned my entire cart/ and am now walking home with this beautiful beautiful new part of my life (: I can not tell you how excited I am to get home and take it out.. took all of my discipline not to play it all the way home lol

[@MilesRamsay]

Very cool! Good luck to you on your banjo uke journey!

[@IThinkImGonnaUke]

Wonderful decision to pick up the ukulele and a banjo uke at that! Learning to play the ukulele changes your life. Plus, it's actually good for your brain too. I put together some beginner tutorials for ukulele in standard tuning, which is the same tuning as your banjo uke. Please check it out my playlists kzbin.info/door/9voQ9n9IlTalhv3uN4eItQplaylists

[@lorriross3885]

@@MilesRamsay yay! I did the very same thing! I sing and i have played blues harmonica most of my life. Still working on whammer Jammer lol :-) I was in Ventura California driving up Main Street at dusk but still light enough to catch a glimpse out of my left eye into a window in which I saw more ukuleles than I've ever seen in my life in one place! I walked out of there with my own little gem banjo Uke!! I am excited! I've messed around a little bit on a guitar but next to harmonicas I just absolutely love the vibe and sound of the banjo! So it's Off to the Races with this little guy and I know we are going to hit it off great. Corresponding with others we'll make it a fantastic Adventure. Peace and love to all and may we all be Deliverance'd Around the Riverbend to a great musical dueling! Yay!! P.S. Humour is key in the teaching and much appreciated thank you:-)

[@hilhifootball1234]

The banjo uke is my first instrument that I'm learning, I really like bluegrass and wanted something to take camping. So here is me, new musician with a banjo uke.

[@MilesRamsay]

Very cool. Hope you have much success!

[@birachel477]

I play no instruments, found out about banjoleles, and now I’m learning to play. I’m from West Virginia and wanted to learn an instrument that paid tribute to my heritage. The banjolele looked less intimidating than a banjo. 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@MilesRamsay]

Very cool! I hope that you have a blast learning this instrument!

[@RainbowblitzFTW]

See this is kinda what I'm looking into it for too. I love the sound of American Folk, and the banjo is so under appreciated. However they be quite expensive and bulky. Having a smaller and slightly less intimidating one to learn on would be nice

[@nfernandez11163]

WV is a great state! Lived in Charleston while doing my Peds Residency for 3 years and truly miss it.

[@milky2246]

0:49 Literally me..

[@autumn8488]

I've never played an instrument in my life but my family is very musically inclined...and I chose the banjolele because it's an instrument that none of my family plays. I suppose I would be considered the rebellious banjolele player🤣

[@MilesRamsay]

Nice! Banjo uke is pretty punk rock! 🤘

[@victoriarodriguez-od9of]

I just picked up a banjolele. No banjo or ukulele experience. 😄

[@MilesRamsay]

Good luck to you! Hope this video helps.

[@Off_Season-]

been playing uke for years and came across this beautiful instrument, realized instantly i needed one, planning on getting one now, gotta love ukuleles and banjos 🪕

[@MilesRamsay]

Absolutely! They are wonderful little instruments.

[@rosalinasnow7529]

Well guess what buckaroo, I've never played an instrument in my life and for Xmas I asked for a banjolele so suck it lol.

[@MilesRamsay]

Good luck to you! Hope that you fall in love with it!

[@cyrynsong245]

Me, too! Well, I've played the piano in my youth, but never caught on to the guitar that I eventually gave to my husband. I just opened my banjolele early after my husband spilled the secret present from my MIL. It's been a bad year. I need some subversive folk-punk soul to keep me going.

[@SteveParkes-Sparko]

I just came across this video - and your very first point was wrong in my case! I ALWAYS wanted to play banjolele first and foremost - and I acquired my first two before I ever thought about branching out into wooden ukuleles!

[@MilesRamsay]

Cheers to you! Hope you're loving it.

[@mikeclarke9281]

I started with the banjolele, love it

[@chrisw5742]

I am a guitar player. So ukulele is like the bottom strings on a guitar. BUT... I use 5ths tuning strings on my uke and it is more like a tenor banjo the way it is played. I am thinking about getting a banjolele or just a tenor banjo.

[@malcolmarchibald6356]

I am that man who thought, 'I want to learn an instrument! My first will be the banjolele!' It arrived today.

[@sim4onhodgson653]

I have just been given a banjolele and it is my first instrument that I've ever tried to learn,I'm finding it really difficult to get a descendant tune out of it, however I'm enjoying trying

[@MilesRamsay]

I hope that you start To have some success with it!

[@alontemcknight836]

Well fortunately I’m the person who has never played an instrument I barley like learning music jus like listening but I really love this instrument so I told myself I’ll learn it first and it might be the only instrument I learn

[@MilesRamsay]

Rock on!

[@amyp9570]

I am THAT person. Not a musician but love banjo and want to learn to play this.

[@MilesRamsay]

The hardest part is starting. In other words, go buy one and get going! :)

[@marnierehn9731]

You have now met someone who wanted to learn the Banjolele as her first instrument! :)

[@MilesRamsay]

Rock on!

[@nicholasbatastini1311]

Well I am 37, never played an instrument, and my first chosen instrument is a banjolele. It was this Christmas’s gift, but it was requested. If anybody has any links that you would suggest for a virgin, thank you! And I’ll come back to this video thank you to the author

[@lXx_xXl]

Me looking at a banjo ukulele as my first instrument. 😳

[@Jaguarnightblur]

Well this is the first stringed instrument I will be learning. I am too poor for a real banjo but it has been fun so far.

[@MilesRamsay]

I hope your journey goes well. It really is a charming instrument. Another plus is it’s portability!

[@michaeltreadwell777]

Brilliant video - I learnt so much. Thank you - I just need to learn to play the thing now ! :-)

[@MilesRamsay]

Glad I could help!

[@Skaatje]

I came here from playing drums in the past, does that count as a first? Ish. 😅

[@MilesRamsay]

Totally counts!

[@mrsdiss]

i'd been wanting a uke. walked past an instrument shop, was like, if not now, then when? walked in, saw the banjo uke, fell in love :D

[@CircuitsAndStrings]

Great info. I need to learn some of those Formby style strums.

[@robkunkel8833]

In my senior generation, I’ve messed around with at least 20 banjos from eBay. Somewhere in the middle was my Kala and I don’t know why I didn’t stay with it. Yours is my third video and getting myself reacquainted and rather cool. I definitely enjoy this video … my goal is playing cuckoo on the Kala, and my name is Kunkel cuckoo Kunkel Kala

[@stepno]

Compare results of youtube searches for 1930s-40s U.K. banjolele master George Formby and -- very different -- the eclectic oldtime fiddle band "the horse flies," driven by the rhythm of its hard- strumming banjo ukulele player, while the 5-string banjo player does more melodic and syncopated things

[@keltay188]

That was informative and thorough without being too much, great job:) Which tuning do you prefer, the standard? Have you tried it the other way, where they all go one step up?

[@MilesRamsay]

I’ve tried both and prefer the standard tuning myself. Thanks for the gracious compliments! 🙏

[@stevensommerfeld6799]

Thank you my banjolele arrives next week. Now i will now how to start!😅

[@annclark9145]

I have never played before. Found my banjo Ike and want to learn to play

[@Zenlar1597]

Found one at Game X Change with my friend. He was like, dude you pay 40, I pay 40, we split it like a divorcee's child. And here I am.

[@NoraTheMockingbirds]

Its funny because for me it was a Real chosen instrument. I was not playing ukulele but washboard 😂 I Didnt want a banjo neither a ukulele. And because i play bluegrass and jazz New Orleans, i chose a banjo ukulele :)

[@ruthbriggs5372]

Thank you so much, great video

[@seancook1817]

My 6 year old has been pestering santa for years for a banjo having held one today It was apparent it would be waaay to heavy and awkward for him to hold so he got a banjolele so I've subscribed to your channel in the hopes to pick a few things up to help him learn ☺️

[@theawise753]

I found two banjoleles, over 150 years old, and I took am here never having played a stringed instrument before.

[@rachaelsmith2398]

Ummmmm 🤔 HAHAHA!!! Well you have met your first person who isn't a musician and decided to pick up the banjolele!!! 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️🤣🤣🤣 I'll be ordering one soon!!! Lol!!! I have been watching videos and thought... this seems like a transition instrument... what the heck, I'm still gonna give it a whirl! 🤣🤣🤣

[@MilesRamsay]

Good luck with it! I think you’ll really enjoy playing it

[@rachaelsmith2398]

@@MilesRamsay thank you... can't wait!!! I subscribed to your channel! Thanks for the videos! 👍👍

[@boscorner]

Im transitioning to banjolele from banjo! Well, 5 string banjo will always be my main. But i want something small to take around!

[@cronoletal4501]

Nice. Can you tell me please what model is this banjo uke? Thank you.

[@scalhotrod]

You should repeat this video with a banjo uke that has a resonator. If you think this one is loud, you'll really blast it out with a resonator banjo uke.

[@JamesChildress-pk2tz]

My banjolele gets me a lot of attention when I play the Crossroads but I started with it no uke in-between made by Outdoor Ukelele great sound

[@ScottishJohn-x8s]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge on the banjole im sitting waiting as i type this out for my magic fluke firefly tenor banjole to be delivered and the time is dragging 😢 Some great information you shared and i will watch it again to get the strumming patterns All the best John 👍🎼🎵🎶🎵🎶🤙

[@MilesRamsay]

Most excellent! I hope your having fun playing!

[@rustygrunert5316]

I am not a musician cnt play a note and guess what , picked up a dixie banjo ukulele cause I was drawn to it and thats why I tuned into your channel

[@patrickhentschell1021]

Thank you for the introduction. Very informative!

[@Tina-hq7sf]

I am one also, never played an instrument not my husband and he chose banjo..Ervin our 50s

[@BrigitteDoneux]

Great!! I hope you cover some picking patterns as well!

[@OxygenBeats]

11:30 interesting, i actually put a sock under the strings behind the bridge and it accomplishes the same thing haha

[@MilesRamsay]

Nice! I’ll give that a try

[@MarkWadsworthYPP]

The overnight thing works surprisingly well. Practise in the evening, record it the next afternoon. That works well for me.

[@Cbartlettbo]

I was one of the few that has 0 musical experience and just ordered this banjolele. I think it's got a cool sound and something I can play when I'm traveling. Excited to start the journey! Thanks of the awesome video!

[@MilesRamsay]

I hope your banjo uke journey is going well!

[@catieewinn]

would love a tutorial on the little riff you played around the 10:20 time stamp!

[@lisacompton3661]

Just found you. Brilliant tutorial. Got great ukes. Now tempted to get a banjolele. Thank you.

[@MilesRamsay]

Go get one! They're great.

[@duckwithoneleg00]

No it was me lmao I picked a banjolele for funzies.

[@spadexalon5385]

Hello, nice vid ! I'm definitely getting a banjolele asap What was the song you played at 10:20 ? I would really like to learn it !

[@MilesRamsay]

It's part of 12th street rag. Pretty wild/difficult piece but amazing once you get it down. Do a search for it and you'll find some tutorials.

[@spadexalon5385]

@@MilesRamsay Ok, i'll look for it. Thank you very much !

[@Myokobill]

Thanks for the sock idea, Miles! Got an Aklot just for fun....and it's more fun now with that touch of damping! Not my first ukulele (ah, number six?). Banjo acquisition syndrome. But a great addition.

[@MilesRamsay]

Nice! Glad it helped. And happy new uke day!

[@Myokobill]

@@MilesRamsay Thanks Miles! Strumming into spring here in snowy Japan.

[@Biggriffer]

I just want to be able to play rainbow connection on this old banolele

[@MilesRamsay]

An excellent goal!

[@Biggriffer]

@@MilesRamsay thank you, I’m going to try to self teach but if it goes wrong I’ve got these videos to fall back on

[@cherisarton7075]

I have been playing a ukulele for a couple of years and just borrowed a Firefly Banjolele. This video was awesome. I learned a lot about this interesting instrument and am enjoying playing it. Thank you.

[@MilesRamsay]

The Firefly is an awesome little instrument,. Need to get me one of those!

[@chudleyflusher7132]

I’ve messed around with different stringed instruments but the banjolele has been the most satisfying. The gentle nylon strings and manageable size make it enjoyable to practice and leads to quick results compared to other stringed instruments, in my opinion. Thanks for the video!

[@MilesRamsay]

It’s definitely addictive! Thanks for watching.

[@Hadrada.]

Thanks good video I’m getting one soon It’s my first stringed instrument

[@timothycunningham252]

Hey love the vid so far although I've never played a banjo or a ukulele I do play mouth harp ocarina trumpet and baritone tc I'd love to learn banjolele

[@marcialynnukulele]

Ukulele player here! I just got a banjolele for my birthday and I’m THRILLED that I found an instrument that’s almost as quirky as me!

[@MilesRamsay]

Have fun!

[@meherflamenca]

Thank you sooooo much for this great 101 banjolele uke ~ soooooo helpful!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

It takes Standard Ukulele Strings

[@brendamcdaniel6833]

My luthier suggested I use an empty toilet paper roll to tone down the sound of of the banjolele,. Works like a charm.

[@MilesRamsay]

Really interesting. Thanks for sharing!

[@duckpunt41]

What make and model is the one you’re using?

[@wminster]

I was tuning my banjolele while watching this (it's just a cheap little one I got as sort of a "if you can commit to this you can get yourself a proper banjo" type of thing) and while I was tuning the bridge fell and smacked the head. I nearly jumped from my desk.

[@MilesRamsay]

😂😂😂 I’ve been there!

[@marvinthemaniac7698]

That looks like a soprano banjolele.

[@CA0116]

I am a vocalist and just decided to try banjolele lol

[@art6374]

lol my first instrument.

[@clawhammer704]

Iv got a old Gibson soprano banjo uke. I break it out occasionally to play claw hammer style playing on it.

[@MilesRamsay]

I’ve always wanted to learn claw hammer but can seem to make it click with my brain. Those Gibson banjo ukes are cool!

[@lottih6762]

I have a ukulele i’ve been thinking of getting a banjolele so this video really helped. Btw it’s called a banjolele

[@MilesRamsay]

Very cool! Glad to help. Yeah, banjolele is a common name too. Thanks for pointing out the pseudonym!

[@4string59]

Great vid! I'd like to know about adjusting the tailpiece. How far above the rim and head does it need to be? I have a 1920's Avalon, with a "Bell Brand" slotted tailpiece.

[@MilesRamsay]

That’s a good question and I’m really not sure the answer to it. Mine kind of rests on the rim. I suspect that as long as you don’t hear any weird rattling from it as you’re playing, you’d be good. But again, I’m not 100%.

[@tmr3513]

Miles, I have never played an instrument but my banjo uke is in the mail. Never to late to learn.

[@MilesRamsay]

Very cool. Good luck!

[@timcormier4467]

II got into uke group at my. Birch 3 months ago, using a uke that was given to me. I recently received a &100 Amazon card. When I saw the Banjolele, I just had to have it. I doubt I’ll play the Tenor ukelele too much now.

[@louisecanning1539]

I have been playing ukulele for over a year now. I’m going to get a banjolele now and I’m still on the fence about which one to purchase. I’m between Firefly and Pilgrim. Any advice for which one to go for would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Great video by the way

[@robdude1969]

omg. mind blown. I got a relic too.... would love to identify it.

[@annclark9145]

I never played before found my banjo uke want to learn how to play

[@MilesRamsay]

Happy strumming!

[@margaretmarshall4785]

Me too!

[@georgetteroenfeldt8144]

My first instrament at all.

[@normhayward8476]

Thanks, very informative and easy to follow,,and appreciate your being humble. God bless

[@musicmikehere85]

Sox are one thing to use, you can also experiment with different types of foam to change, The drum rings gell pads won't really work as they are designed to be used on drums whete the head is facing up where the banjo faces 90% to that and the pads/gets will fall off.

[@meriharary]

Do these use regular uke strings or banjolele strings? Also, I like using a low G. Do they sell banjo uke strings with a low G?

[@MilesRamsay]

I just string it with my favorite uke strings. I tend to like Martin fluorocarbons for these older instruments as I believe it helps you to hear the flavor of the instrument better. I didn’t even know they made banjo uke strings. Whatever you do, don’t use steel strings!

[@lydiahubbell6278]

@@MilesRamsay why not steel strings?

[@TheGdav0202]

You just taught me where to put my bridge!!! Thank You!!!! (rebuilding a banjo Uke that belonged to my great grandfather).

[@thembovolante3046]

Hello! Another first time musician who just happened into a Banjolele. Thanks for the videos and I'm glad to see so many other weirdos like me in the comments 😁

[@mayceanthony935]

so what if i am not a musician and i got a banjo uke as my first instrument 😬

[@MilesRamsay]

Then you’re one step ahead of everyone! 😊

[@georgetteroenfeldt8144]

Looks like i am not alone.

[@marcypesner4303]

intro is too long. Get to the point

[@janetstockham4404]

Thsnks!

[@Fukuserisoly]

Lmao

[@kknight339]

Is the banjo ukulele chords the same as a regular ukulele?

[@MilesRamsay]

Yep! No difference at all.

[@BanjoPicker]

Put a sock in it! :)

[@justntime100]

Subscribed . Thank you for the video .

[@MilesRamsay]

My pleasure! Thank you for subscribing. Lemme know if there’s any other Uke videos you’d like to see

[@nfernandez11163]

I bite my nails too. Great video man!

[@MilesRamsay]

Thanks! Yeah…bad habit but I suppose there are worse ones.

[@Tankthyfrank]

Awesome overview. Thank you!

[@MilesRamsay]

Glad it helped!

[@amadelala01]

I love the banjo and never played a stringed instrument but found the banjo ukulele. Here to learn!

[@lindasmith6668]

Thanks so much

[@MilesRamsay]

you're most welcome!

[@mkdy218]

There aren’t better tutorials. Thanks

[@MilesRamsay]

Thanks! Glad you found it helpful.

[@johnaustin1825]

How to tell difference between Tenor, Concert, Baritone Banjoleles?

[@congerscott6064]

Great video thank you, can't wait to get one 👍🏆.

[@MilesRamsay]

They’re a blast! I highly recommend.

[@cindymcaleer4370]

Thanks for the good tips and insights. Thank you.

[@MilesRamsay]

Glad I could help! Thanks for watching

[@android927]

I'm a drummer and i recently decided to acquire one of these for my hand drum collection. My question is why does the drum have a long wooden bit sticking out of the side? Also, what are those strings on it for? Are they like snares or something?

[@MilesRamsay]

😂 nice!

[@thomaspolley4977]

0:44 well now you have. I've never heard of a banjo ukulele until yesterday when my wife surprised me with one for my 41st birthday. She must have overheard me mention that I wanted to learn the banjo because I really enjoy bluegrass. My 5 year old son has a cheapy ukulele we both kinda play with once in a while, but neither of us have any idea how to play it. We do take it camping with us. My wife thought she'd combine two things, getting me a banjo ukulele that I could take camping with us. God I love that woman❤ I've played a few instruments, very briefly, in school, the violin, trumpet, and piano, but I was never any good. That was 30 years ago.

[@TheWooTubes]

There are strings available that allow a soprano banjolele to be strung as a violin and a concert as a viola, then they can be played with mandolin/mandola chords. I didn't get on with re-entrant tuning for playing melodies.