Comments on Banjo Head Tapping, Tuning, and Tension

Abstract

Some aspects of banjo head tapping, tuning, and tension are reviewed and demonstrated. Most or all are familiar to experienced players. Measurements made from tap recordings fit a simple theory. The discussion of the physics is entirely qualitative but does shed some light on both the challenges and value of tap tuning in relation to head tension. The quantitative details and underlying physics bear a complicated relation to the perception of pitch.