The banjo ukulele, also known as the banjolele or banjo uke,  is a four-stringed musical instrument with a small banjo-type body and a fretted ukulele neck. The earliest known banjoleles were built by John A. Bolander and by Alvin D. Keech, both in 1917.

The instrument achieved its greatest popularity in the 1920s and 1930s, and combines the small scale, tuning, and playing style of a ukulele with the construction and distinctive tone of a banjo, hence the name. Its development was pushed by the need for vaudeville performers to have an instrument that could be played with the ease of the ukulele, but with more volume.

Construction and tuning

In terms of overall construction, banjo ukuleles parallel banjos, though on a smaller scale. They are always fretted. Most are built of wood with metal accoutrements, although the mid-century "Dixie" brand featured banjo ukuleles made from solid metal.

The banjo ukulele neck typically has sixteen frets, and is the same scale length as a soprano or, less commonly, concert or tenor-sized ukulele. Banjo ukuleles may be open-backed, or may incorporate a resonator.

Banjo ukulele heads were traditionally made of calf skin, but most modern instruments are fitted with synthetic heads. Some players prefer the natural skin heads for a more traditional tone. Tightening or loosening the drum head, through adjusting the tension hooks fitted around the outside of the drum, results in a change in tone. The head typically has a firm tension. Tightening it so that it is rock hard to the touch gives a bright sound with good note distinction, but less bass response. Loosening it so it is softer, yet still tight enough to keep the bridge in place with the tension of the strings, results in a warmer, less bright sound. The bridge floats on the head and is held in place by the tension of the strings.

Like standard ukuleles, banjo ukuleles were originally outfitted with gut strings. Nylon strings are now typically used, sometimes with a wound third string.

The banjolele is commonly tuned G–C–E–A ("C Tuning") or A–D–F♯–B ("D Tuning"), with a re-entrant 4th string. The A–D–F♯–B tuning often produces a more strident tone, and is used for this reason. Both of these tunings are known as "my dog has fleas" tunings (fifth, tonic, major third, major sixth).

Popular culture

The banjo ukulele was the instrument played by British comedian George Formby (1904–1961), who developed his own style of playing in accompaniment to his comic songs. His name is associated with the instrument more than that of any other musician.

Other artists to make eminent use of the banjolele were Wendell Hall and Roy Smeck in the United States, and Billy "Uke" Scott in Great Britain.

In P.G. Wodehouse's 1934 novel Thank You, Jeeves, valet Jeeves is driven to resign over his employer Bertie Wooster's decision to take up the banjo ukulele.

In Season 2 of Orange Is the New Black, prison guard O'Neill excitedly tells Caputo about his purchase of a banjo ukulele. He later plays it for a group of nuns.

British comedian Peter Sellers was a banjo ukulele player and recorded New York Girls with Steeleye Span

Queen member Brian May used a banjo ukulele in the song "Bring Back That Leroy Brown", which appeared on their third album Sheer Heart Attack. He also used one to compose "Good Company" for their album A Night at the Opera, although on the recording he used a regular ukulele.

George Harrison favored the instrument in his later years, using it in several recordings. For example, he played it on his song "Any Road".

Recent users of the banjo ukulele have included Jeff Claus of The Horse Flies, Alan Randall, Andy Eastwood, comedian Frank Skinner, Mr. B The Gentleman Rhymer, and Steven Universe creator Rebecca Sugar. The instrument can be heard in the theme song to the television show Arrested Development.

In the 1959 hotrod-monster movie The Giant Gila Monster, protagonist Chase Winstead (Don Sullivan) plays the banjolele and sings, first to his little sister who has a disability, and later in front of a bunch of kids at a sock hop shortly before a monster attacks the hall.

Notable manufacturers
Historical manufacturers

George S. Sandstrom – Oakland, California
Gibson Guitar Corporation
Ludwig
Slingerland Drum Company
Kay / Stromberg-Voisinet
John Grey & Sons
Alvin Keech

Current manufacturers

Deering Banjo Company
Songbird Stringed Instruments
The Magic Fluke Company
Oscar Schmidt Inc.
Recording King
Luna Guitars
Gold Tone Music Group

See also

Banjo Mandolin
Cümbüş, a similar Turkish instrument

References

Banjo family instruments
Ukuleles
1917 musical instruments