For players, makers, and students of fretless banjos and fretless banjo music.

'If you can play a banjo with your eyes closed, you can probably play fretless.' (For more discussion see "related link" below posts). Fretless models are available as an option from many banjo makers (see Elderly Instruments); or some players convert a fretted banjo to fretless by adding a linoleum or brass plate in place of the upper frets.

Early banjos were all fretless--and much like a fiddle or trombone, could play any pitch. Fretless banjos allow slides and exploration of notes (and better harmonies) other just the pre-determined notes. What we in the West now consider a "normal" (tempered) scale--that divides an octave into twelve equal intervals--was a big innovation in Bach's time. It has caught on not because it sounds better--it doesn't--but because it will allow an instrument to play in any key. Some of the standard notes are a little "off" from what sounds best to the ears, and other notes (some used in non-Western music) are simply unavailable. Much of what we think we like in music, is just what we're used to.

Anyone may join the group; to limit spam, posts by new members must be approved by the moderator (John Huie, Athens, GA usa jphuie@athens.net)