Banjo Tuning For A Guitar?

[L20A]

Years ago, I was shown a way to tune a guitar that was the same as open C tuning on a Banjo.
If I remember right, the two top [bass] strings were tuned the same and used as a drone.
Can anyone tell me what strings you use to do this and what each string is tuned to?

I remember this as being a fun alternitve tuning for a guitar.
You strum it like Claw Hammer Banjo.

[Misty44]

I remember this as being a fun alternative tuning for a guitar.
You strum it like Claw Hammer Banjo.

Of course you can use a guitar clawhammer down-stroke technique (U.S. not U.K definition) regardless of the tuning.

As for mimicking banjo tunings on the guitar, I like Sawmill tuning - DGDGCD - which mirrors the droning major/minor modal sound of old-time mountain music and - like other non-standard guitar (or banjo) tunings - produces a range of new and unique tonal combinations. And it's ideal for clawhammering.

Years ago, I was shown a way to tune a guitar that was the same as open C tuning on a Banjo.

I don't know the particular C tuning you're referring to, but you might be able to improvise the bass string from the double-C banjo tuning C-G-C-G-C-E (tune the low E down to C?).

[slewis]

Banjo tuning for a guitar? That's just wrong.

[Misty44]

I believe the guitar in this clip is playing in Sawmill or Mountain Modal based on a traditional old time banjo tuning - not quite major, not quite minor...very haunting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1pwk...yer_embedded#!



Good finger brushing technique...and a nice old guitar to boot.