A reader writes:

Since I'm playing a lot of classic style banjo these days (5-string, nylon or gut strings, guitar style finger picking) I think it might be helpful to add D'Addario Nylgut and LaBella nylon string choices. I'm also experimenting with nylon on my no-name tenor (I'll soon be getting a B&D Silver Bell 19-fret tenor). The sound is still strong and the lower tension, especially in Irish tuning, makes the friction tuners usable, finally. I dislike the harsh metallic sound of the typical jazz banjo, so the nylon strings give me the mellow sound I'm looking for.

------------------------------------------

Thanks for getting in touch. May I ask if you're using the century-old classic banjo arrangements like those available here:

http://classicbanjo.com/music.html

or making up your own?

I have a friend whose wife won't let him play Irish banjo when she's home because it's too loud. Maybe gut strings are the answer.

Please let me know how your Silver Bell works out.

Have a great week,

Paul

I'm learning from a teacher (Michael Nix - https://www.youtube.com/user/NixWorksMichaelNix) who is a classical guitarist and uses a 7 string banjo he had custom made. We're using two books: first is a a Mel Bay book by Frank Bradbury and the second is a vintage book by Herbert J. Ellis entitled Ellis's Thorough School for the Five Stringed Banjo (http://classicbanjo.com/tutors.html). I also came up with my own basic arrangements to some more familiar songs - I'll Fly Away, Freight Train, The Water is Wide, and a duet for Drunken Sailor set up as a round. You're welcome to any of these.

Nix and I have attended the last two banjo rallies put on by the American Banjo Fraternity (http://banjofraternity.org/).

I'll be glad to let you know how the Silver Bells work out.