What Is a Banjolele? The George Formby Connection & Why Everyone Gets It Wrong
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Ask anyone what instrument George Formby played and you'll get one of two answers: "He played the ukulele" or "He played the banjo." Here's the thing — they're both half right. The instrument George Formby made world-famous was neither a ukulele nor a banjo. It was a banjolele: a brilliant hybrid of both, and one of the most characterful instruments ever made.
A Brief History of the Banjolele
The banjolele — also written as banjo ukulele or banjo uke — was invented in the early 1900s, most commonly credited to American instrument maker Alvin D. Keech around 1917. The concept was simple but inspired: take the tuning, scale length, and playability of a ukulele, and mount it on a banjo-style drum body. The result? A small, lightweight instrument with the bright, cutting projection of a banjo and the cheerful, approachable character of a uke.
The timing was perfect. The ukulele craze was sweeping both America and Britain in the 1920s, and the banjolele offered something the standard uke couldn't — volume. In the days before amplification, the banjolele could cut through a noisy music hall or variety theatre with ease. It was loud, lively, and enormously fun to play.
George Formby and the Banjolele
No name is more synonymous with the banjolele than George Formby OBE (1904–1961). The Lancashire-born entertainer became one of Britain's biggest stars of the 1930s and 40s, selling out theatres, topping the box office, and recording dozens of hit songs — all with a banjolele in hand and a grin on his face.
Formby's playing style was deceptively skilled. His trademark split-stroke technique — a rapid, rhythmic strumming pattern using the thumb and fingers — gave his playing an infectious energy that was instantly recognisable. Songs like When I'm Cleaning Windows, Leaning on a Lamp Post, and Mr Wu became national anthems of cheerfulness during the Second World War, earning him the title of Britain's highest-paid entertainer for much of the 1940s.
So why do people argue about whether he played a ukulele or a banjo? Because the banjolele sits squarely between the two worlds. It looks like a banjo — round drum body, open back, skin or synthetic head — but it's tuned and played like a ukulele (G–C–E–A). People who see it think banjo. People who hear the tuning think ukulele. Both camps are half right, and that's exactly what makes the instrument so fascinating.
The Banjolele Today
Far from being a relic of the music hall era, the banjolele has enjoyed a genuine modern revival. A new generation of players — from folk and roots musicians to ukulele enthusiasts looking for more projection — have rediscovered its charms. The instrument is ideal for:
- Open mic nights and acoustic sessions where volume matters
- Folk, bluegrass, and old-time music
- Ukulele players wanting a distinctive, cutting tone
- Anyone who loves the vintage aesthetic of the 1920s and 30s
- George Formby fans and enthusiasts of British music history
Introducing the Kala Brand Concert Banjolele
If you're ready to explore the world of the banjolele, there's no better place to start than with Kala Brand— one of the world's most respected ukulele and banjolele makers. Their instruments are known for exceptional build quality, playability straight out of the box, and a tone that genuinely delivers.
Our Kala Brand Concert Banjolele With Padded Gig Bag is a superb example of the modern banjolele done right. Here's what makes it stand out:
- Concert scale — slightly larger than soprano, offering more fret room and a fuller sound
- Natural mahogany construction — a warm, resonant tonewood with a classic aesthetic
- Banjo-style drum body — delivers that bright, punchy projection the banjolele is famous for
- Includes a gig bag — ready to take to rehearsals, sessions, or open mics straight away
- Standard G–C–E–A tuning — if you already play ukulele, you're ready to go
Whether you're a seasoned ukulele player looking for something with more bite, or a complete beginner drawn in by the George Formby mystique, the Kala banjolele is a genuinely joyful instrument to own and play.
→ View the Kala Concert Banjolele & Gig Bag
Frequently Asked Questions About the Banjolele
Is a banjolele the same as a ukulele?
Not quite. A banjolele uses the same tuning and scale length as a ukulele but has a banjo-style drum body, giving it a brighter, louder tone with more projection.
Did George Formby play a ukulele or a banjo?
Neither — and both! He played a banjolele, which combines the body of a banjo with the tuning and playability of a ukulele. It's a common misconception that divides people into two camps, but the truth is the banjolele is its own distinct instrument.
Is the banjolele hard to learn?
If you already play ukulele, the transition is very straightforward — the tuning is identical. For beginners, the banjolele is no harder than a standard uke and arguably more rewarding thanks to its distinctive voice.
What's the difference between a soprano and concert banjolele?
Concert banjoleles have a slightly longer scale length than soprano models, making them easier to play for those with larger hands and producing a slightly fuller, warmer tone.
What strings does a banjolele use?
Standard ukulele strings in G–C–E–A tuning. Many players prefer fluorocarbon strings for a bright, clear tone that suits the banjolele's character.
Come and Try One In Store
We stock the Kala banjolele at our shop in store, and we'd love to let you have a play. There's nothing quite like hearing one in person — it's one of those instruments that makes you smile the moment you strum it. Pop in, pick it up, and find out why George Formby was onto something very special indeed.