Hi, this is my first post here! Hopefully not too repetitive (though I imagine it kind of is).
Basically... I'm in the market for a new instrument and I've narrowed it down to Irish Bouzouki or OM. Currently I play a long neck banjo, mandolin and fiddle. I wanted something that might give me the best of all of those worlds... basically... the length of the banjo and ability to capo combined with the tuning and sound of the mandolin. I really get a lot out of the longneck because I capo all over the place for singing different tunes. I like to pick melodies and play old-time and irish melodies but I also would like to be able to strum with chords when I sing. I just want a versatile instrument! I feel limited in the banjo and mando, currently, but I really enjoy playing the double-course strings with a pick on the mando. So I naturally thought, yeah, Irish Bouzouki!
I was reading somewhere that GDAE is possibly too much strain for a bouzouki, however I've also been reading that it's totally fine. So that was one concern. I do want to be able to play in GDAE if I want, and also experiment with the other tunings until I find what works best.
I have really long fingers and I already play scales on my longneck banjo so I think I will not be too bothered by the scale length of the bouzouki compared to the OM. I guess I was just wondering about the tunings and versatility, and curious if anyone else sings with their instrument and what they prefer, etc. I don't play with other people super often, I'm more of a solo performer.
Thanks for reading! I've learned a lot form these forums, I appreciate it.
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