Banjolele
- The banjolele is a four-stringed musical instrument with a small banjo-type body and a fretted ukulele neck. "Banjolele," sometimes also spelled "banjelele" or "banjulele" is a generic nickname given to the instrument, which was derived from the "banjulele-banjo", introduced by Alvin D. Keech in 1917. Banjo ukuleles parallel banjo construction, on a smaller scale, in terms of overall construction. They are always fretted. Most are built of wood with metal accoutrements, although the mid-century "Dixie" brand featured banjoleles made from solid metal.The banjolele neck typically has sixteen frets and is the same scale length as a soprano or, less commonly, concert-sized ukulele. Banjo ukuleles may be open-backed, or may incorporate a resonator.
- Banjo ukulele heads were traditionally made of calfskin, but most modern instruments are fitted with synthetic heads. Some players prefer the natural skin heads for a more traditional tone. 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 instrument was invented because ueklele players wanted more volume from their pieces so they invented a tiny banjo head with a uke neck so that when they played there was more amplification. Some famous makers of the banjo ukulele include lanikai, Gibson, kala, gretsch, zither and recording king. These instruments were produced most during the 1920’s and 1930’s by the thousands and were sold for as little as 2.00. There were many famous players associated with the banjolele such as George Fornby a British comedian who developed his own personal style of playing.
- Other artists to make eminent use of the banjolele were Wendall Hall and Roy Smeck in the United States, and Billy "Uke" Scott" in Great Britain. Recent users have included Jeff Claus of The Horse Flies, Alan Randall, Andy Eastwood, MR.B the Gentleman Rhymer, and Rebecca Suagr. The instrument can be heard in the theme song to the television show Arrested Development.
- George Formby is one of the most famous players of the banjolele. What made him stand out, however, was his unique and often mimicked musical style. He sang comic songs to his own accompaniment on the banjolele, for which he developed a catchy and complicated musical style. He first played it on stage for a bet. His best-known song, "Leaning on a Lamp Post." He recorded two more Noel Gay songs, "The Left-Hand Side of Egypt" and "Who Are You A-Shoving Of?"