Playing in E?

[Fingers n thumbs]

Anyone played in E? Am doing a tune with a mate and it's in E. I have capoed at the 2nd fret and playing out of D position but the top string G doesn't fit. Im guessing a 5th string capo or spike is in order.

How would you do it?

RogF

[Danny]

5th string capo/spike or simply retune. You might get away with tuning 2 frets sharp, but have a spare to hand in case. It could be tuned to anything that's fits in with d tuning really, play around, you might find summat good.

[yannis]

Hey Fingers,
You can usually crank the 5th up to 'A' which works for Key of E.
If you don't mind a bit of DIY try cutting the business end off a disposable BIC razor and then trimming it right down from the other end till it fits under just the fifth string. Either hot knife or junior hacksaw a slot on the underside so that it fits over the fret and make a slot on the top that the string will fit in. You now have a removable 5th string capo! Hopefully you've already shaved. The depth of cut will affect the pitch so have an electronic tuner handy when you are cutting the slot. If it's flat, you've gone too deep, try again. A couple of these in your gig bag may well come in handy.
It can also work with a pen top but the razor worked for me first go. Have fun and be a bit careful. Good Luck!

[Fingers n thumbs]

Hey guys - tried tuning the 5th string up to A and chickened out - have got mediums fitted.

I dont mind the DIY - i cut the ends off off two socket wrenches to make some slides - that took a while

Am gonna buy some Bic razors and have a go ;D ;D ;D

Rogf

[mark]

spikes are pretty easy to install, theres plenty of advice out there.
i followed a mixture of advice from Frets & Zepps websites when I installed spikes on my cheapo, they went in a breeze, took only around 30 minutes to fit and less than a fiver for 3 spikes from Eagle Music

[davemarshall]

Try tuning your banjo to g#BEBE.

[Fingers n thumbs]

I got a new (old) banjo and got the spikes fitted at the shop

g#? That's the 3rd of the E maj scale. So essentially tune the whole banjo to Open E. E root, G# 3rd & B 5th.

Does just tuning the g# work on the 5th in E? , interesting - gives me an option to tune to the 5th string to the 3rd if i cant tune to the root easily

am gonna try when i get home - will keep me out of mischief

Cheers

Rog

[Danny]

Let us know how it goes Rog

Danny

[dick]

I sometimes use a guitar capo on the banjo and capo up the neck across all 5 strings. Sounds ok most of the time.