The banjo ukulele, also called the banjolele or banjo uke, is a four-stringed instrument with a small body shaped like a banjo and a neck similar to a ukulele with frets. The first known banjoleles were made by John A. Bolander and Alvin D. Keech in 1917.

This instrument was most popular during the 1920s and 1930s. It combines the small size, tuning, and playing style of a ukulele with the structure and unique sound of a banjo, which is why it is called the banjolele. It was created because stage performers needed an instrument that was easy to play like a ukulele but could produce more sound.

Construction and tuning

Banjo ukuleles are similar to banjos but are smaller in size. They always have frets, which are the metal strips on the neck that help play notes. Most are made of wood with metal parts, although some from the mid-1900s, like the "Dixie" brand, were made entirely of metal.

The neck of a banjo ukulele usually has sixteen frets and is the same length as a soprano ukulele, or sometimes a concert or tenor ukulele. These instruments can have open backs or a resonator, which is a curved piece that helps the sound carry farther.

Traditionally, the drum head of a banjo ukulele was made from animal skin, but most modern ones use synthetic materials. Some players prefer the older style for its sound. Adjusting the tension of the drum head, using hooks around the edge, changes the tone. A tighter head produces a brighter, clearer sound but less bass. A looser head creates a warmer, softer sound. The bridge, which holds the strings, rests on the drum head and is held in place by the string tension.

Like regular ukuleles, banjo ukuleles originally used strings made from animal gut. Today, most use nylon strings, and sometimes the third string is wrapped for extra thickness.

Banjo ukuleles are usually tuned to G–C–E–A ("C Tuning") or A–D–F♯–B ("D Tuning"), with the fourth string being higher in pitch. The "D Tuning" often creates a sharper sound, which is why it is used. Both tunings are called "my dog has fleas" tunings because the notes match the sounds of the words. Larger bass banjo ukuleles exist and are typically tuned to E 1 –A 1 –D 2 –G 2 .

Popular culture

The banjo ukulele was the instrument played by British comedian George Formby (1904–1961). He created a unique way of playing it while performing his humorous songs. His name is most closely linked to the instrument compared to other musicians.

Other artists who used the banjo ukulele extensively 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, the character Jeeves quits because his employer, Bertie Wooster, decides to play the banjo ukulele.

British comedian Peter Sellers played the banjo ukulele and recorded a song called "New York Girls" with the band Steeleye Span.

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

George Harrison used the instrument in his later years, playing 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 Rebecca Sugar, the creator of Steven Universe. The instrument can be heard in the theme song of the television show Arrested Development.

Notable manufacturers

Historical manufacturers

• Gibson Guitar Corporation
• John Grey & Sons
• Kay/Stromberg-Voisinet
• Ludwig
• Slingerland Drum Company
• Deering Banjo Company

Current manufacturers

• Harley Benton
• Luna Guitars
• The Magic Fluke Company
• Oscar Schmidt Inc.
• Recording King