Here’s a video version of a Finnish polka that I posted earlier as an MP3. This time I’m playing it on my Gold Tone OT-800. The banjo is tuned gEGBE.
Download MP3 (different banjo) | Tab | PDF of tab
Säkkijärven Polkka: the video
Published October 29, 2008 gEGBE 8 CommentsTags: contra, Finnish, polka
Almost sounds like one of my friend Andy Rubin’s klezmer klawhammer pieces…
Ok – one final question and then I’ll leave you alone for awhile. Would you typically capo at second fret and tune down or is it better to tune up from say, standard G tuning?
As you can likely tell Cathy, I’m new to this instrument. So many little things to figure out. Also, I don’t know how much tension the strings (and my banjo) can take.
Thanks,
John
John, thanks for your question. I should have explained the tuning in the post. I tune my open strings to DFAD, put the capo on the second fret, and then tune the 5th string to match the 1st string at the 3rd fret. I think you could just tune up the middle two strings without harm to a decent banjo, but I like using the capo because it shortens the neck and puts me where the frets are closer together. That makes it easier to play notey tunes quickly.
I like the way you approach the tuning issue. John
Excellent adaptation of traditional Finnish melody!
Cathy, you are inspiring – thank you for sharing your tips, tabs and tunes.
from Jon (learning clawhammer banjo in the UK)
Thanks for the kind words!
There is a part in the original squeezebox version that you left out right after the first part…Could you tab this out as well?