MusEdit works well with any kind of banjo, including tenor (4 string) and 5 string banjos,
or any other kind of banjo tuning you want to work with...
MusEdit handles 5th String "peculiarities", and allows for adjustable offset fret, and adjust number of frets...
Banjo
Fingering
On five string banjo the fifth string begins at the fifth fret (with a
separate tuning peg) and is sometimes individually capoed even higher up the
fretboard. It is usually tuned so that the open string has the same
pitch as the first string fingered at the fifth fret (so that, unlike most
stringed instruments, the fifth string is the highest
pitched string rather than the lowest). Because
of this arrangement, fingering on the first physical fret of the fifth string is
typically notated as a “6" on tablature (since it is the same pitch as
the 6th fret on the first string), and so on up the fretboard.
If the Preference setting for “use Banjo fingering on 5th
string” is checked, MusEdit will make an internal correction so that, for
example, a “6" in the tab notation will be interpreted as “one physical
fret above the open tuning/capo”. The
starting fret or capo position must be specified if this option is used.
Chord Selection, Chord Variations, and Chord Designer for Banjo Chords
The "notch" on five string banjo chord diagrams shows where the fifth string starts on the fretboard.
Permits Swing Timing...
“Swing timing” means the time value of two 8th notes is divided so that the first 8th note of each pair receives 2/3 of the time and the second note receives 1/3 of the time. This changes the sound of the 8th note pairs from “dum-dum-dum-dum-dum…” (equal duration of all 8th notes) to “dum-da-dum-da-dum-…” (a longer note followed by a shorter one). An optional timing adjustment can be added to change the timing shift from the default ratio (66:33) to a different value. Swing timing is often used with Banjo music.
On MusEdit scores swing timing can be indicated by using the pair of swing
symbols: , plus staff text for the “=” sign, and also for the optional timing
adjustment. MIDI playback will recognize
these symbols and change the playback timing appropriately.
To enter
these symbols on a staff line it's best to enter the music on the staff first.
Once that is done, go back to the first entered symbol and click above it
where you want the symbol to appear, then click on the symbols toolbox to enter
the symbol (or hit the "M" key).
Next, click above the next symbol in the staff line
(the second 8th note in the example above), and then hit Ctrl+Shift+T,
and enter “=”
in the staff text box. Finally,
click above the third symbol in the staff line and enter the
symbol.
If you want to add a timing adjustment click above the fourth symbol in
the staff line and hit Ctrl+Shift+T and enter, for example, (60:40) as
staff text. MusEdit is flexible
about the exact format of the text, so all of these are acceptable:
.6 / .4
75:25
( 66 - 33 ) [55 | 45]
1.2 + .8
You simply need one number, a separator (not space)
and the second number. Spaces are
ignored. To cancel swing timing
later in the score, enter
using the same technique described
above.
Virtual Banjo Fretboard...
When you float the mouse over any string and fret the corresponding note will be shown in the title bar. Clicking the mouse at that position will enter that note on the tab line. ( left-click enters a quarter note, right-click enters an 8th note, double left-click enters a half note, etc. ) During Midi playback the notes being played will be shown up on the fretboard, like the C note shown above.
(Note! Printed images will not have the jagged lines seen in these screen shots! See FAQ-Appearance)
For more Banjo samples, please check out the Alternate Instruments section in the Music Library