Banjuke, banjouke, banjolele

[Tom]

All the terms in the subject line refer to the same instrument; It's a ukulele that produces a banjo-like sound.

Attached is a picture of my mentor along with a picture of a small sample of the store inventory of ukes.

The guy who made the banjo-uke famous was the British comedian/player/singer George Formby. The following You-tube videos have George Fornby or one of his cronies playing classic Formby songs:


http://youtu.be/sfmAeijj5cM

http://youtu.be/i3VDn5VlvBk

http://youtu.be/bW7oEN5maZY

http://youtu.be/51KkGdNyc0o

http://youtu.be/8VrZ36mK-pQ

http://youtu.be/rojdYBn9MXQ

Yesterday I visited a dealer and purchased a FireFly banjouke. It has the classic banjo "twang", but it has a little more mellow sound. I brought along a long-time uke and banjo-uke player who is also a teacher in our beginners uke class. This lady brought one of her own banjoukes and, as I explained to the store owner, she makes the instrument come alive.

[Molaker]

Heck.  I'm doing good to play a recognizable tune on my Horner Marine Band 'C' chord harmonica.

[Tom]

Tom, we're fortunate to have some talented, experienced players in our group. We're also fortunate to have the new Music Director, a long time friend of mine, who agreed to join and lead the group.

[caltex]

Tom, won't be long until the wall in your living room will look like that wall in the banjuke shop.

[Tom]

Robert, I suspect that Chris would call time out long before then, although one guy in the band might come close (he has them hanging on the walls of several rooms). That small store has over 100 ukes in stock, with several other uke displays besides that one. They also sell a variety of other instruments, and it's amazing how they get them all in.

[JerArdra]

Tom,

Some years ago a performer named Tiny Tim played one...I think.  See below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skU-jBFzXl0

JerryF

[Tom]

Yes he did Ardra, and he was quite a musician, despite being the butt of many jokes. The instrument he's playing in that video is a soprano ukulele.

[Foxysdad]

Molaker, I have the same problem with my Lea Oskar  C or G   
I sound good when no one else is around 
Howard

[judway]

Attached is a picture of what was originally a banjo uke that belonged to my father. I replaced the strings with a set of fiddle strings. This made it finger and play similar to a mandolin. I did not use a bow . What would you call it now? I never accomplished playing any instrument except a record player and probably not too good there either.

[Tom]

Wayne, irrespective what strings you put on it, it still looks like a banjouke, although the tuning may be different. If you ever decide to dispose of that instrument, give me first refusal. However, if you're like me, it's highly unlikely you'd want to part with something so precious that was owned by your father.

[judway]

No, I think my kids will be fighting over these things when I am gone.

Judy has a violin (fiddle) that was owned and played by Freddy Evans ( her grandfather). Freddy Evans had a chapter written about him in the recent book about "Cowboy Copas" who was popular back in the 50's or 60's. Going to have to figure out who gets it also.

[Luca1369]

Tom, here's a question for you...what is the instrument called that Tiny Tim is holding?  It looks like a ukelele with the body of a steel resonator guitar, much like a dobro.  I have no idea what to call it.

[Tom]

Steve,

It's tough to tell from the picture, but it might be banjouke. However, for some reason, I though that Tiny Tim always played a soprano ukulele.

[fastrak100]

I am so disappointed.
I thought the title was Banjoke, Banjjoke, banjojoke.
I only read it to see if you had any new ones.