It happens to all of us at some point in our guitar playing lives—you’re learning and getting better and at some point you kind of hit a wall. Maybe you find yourself going to the same chords over and over, or the same strumming patterns. We’d like to posit that one way out of your rut is with a tenor guitar.

A tenor guitar has four strings instead of six and while that may seem limiting at first glance, it can have the effect of expanding your creativity. The smaller necks offer easy playability and the variety of tunings get you thinking about melody and chord structure in new ways. Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned strummer, the tenor guitar can open up new pathways for musical exploration.

In this article, we'll delve deep into what exactly a tenor guitar is, tracing its history and highlighting its benefits. We'll tell you about some of the ways tenors are being used today and offer tips on choosing your own instrument.

History of the Tenor Guitar

In the 1920's, banjo players were a staple in the rhythm sections of Dixieland jazz bands. But the sound of popular music was softening into swing, and instrument manufacturers looked to capitalize on this trend. Tenor guitars were basically four-string tenor banjos without the resonator. It was a stringed instrument that would allow all those tenor banjo players to make an easy transition to guitar playing, without having to learn a whole new tuning. These early tenors had narrow necks like banjos, but the bodies more closely resembled a traditional steel-string acoustic guitar.

Rise in Popularity

Acoustic tenor guitars made by manufacturers like Gibson and Martin proved popular, and soon tenors were the primary drivers of rhythm sections in jazz bands. It drew in new players with its mellow tone. Jazz's time at the top of the popular music heap was drawing to a close, however, and soon rock and roll would take over.

The tenor guitar didn't really take hold in the rock revolution, but soon enough another train would come down the tracks. The folk music boom of the 1950s and 1960s would draw a whole new crowd to experimenting with the tenor guitar's distinctive sound. Players like Nick Reynolds of The Kingston Trio became synonymous with the tenor guitar, and amplified its popularity.

Modern Tenor Guitarists

Interested in tenor guitars waned after the folk revival, but the tenor guitar found its feet once again in the indie and rock music scenes. Musicians like Warren Ellis cast a modern spotlight on this instrument, with custom electric tenor guitars offering innovative ways to explore sound. The Eastwood Warren Ellis range, for instance, introduced a new generation to the electric tenor’s possibilities, broadening its appeal far beyond its traditional roots.

Indie superstar Neko Case is often seen performing with a vintage Gibson tenor electric guitar, which has led to these models becoming quite sought-after and hard to find. Eastwood answered this demand with the Astrojet tenor, which harkens back to the classic "SG" style and doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

With musicians from Ani DiFranco to Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth taking up the tenor guitar, it's clear that fewer strings don't make a lesser instrument. The current renaissance of the tenor guitar has invited players from diverse age groups and musical backgrounds to explore its ability to complement a variety of styles. Elvis Costello is regularly seen performing with his Gretsch tenor guitar. Even Wes Borland of the band Limp Bizkit has a custom 4-string guitar. From jazz to rock to indie, the tenor guitar’s revival is a testament to its versatility and enduring charm.

Distinct Characteristics and Comparison with Other Stringed Instruments

The four-string design and narrow neck set the tenor guitar apart from other guitars. Unlike typical six-string electric or acoustic guitars, a tenor guitar can be tuned in fifths, similar to a mandolin or violin. Tenors can be found in "Chicago" tuning, which is the same as the highest four strings of standard guitar tuning, and they also play well with a variety of open tunings. They're also generally smaller in size than six-string guitars, which makes them a great choice for small players, or anyone looking for a more compact instruments without compromising on sound.

Speaking of sound, the voice of the tenor guitar depends on the tuning you choose. Tuning tenors in fifths is great for single note playing and allows the player to easily adapt fiddle tunes to a fretted instrument. Players looking to cop jazz guitar licks may choose "Chicago" tuning, and folks looking to explore new sonic territory may gravitate to open tunings. Tenor guitars can do it all.

The four-string setup makes it similar not just to tenor banjos but also to instruments in the ukulele and mandolin families. Uke and mando players looking to experiment with a new sound will find tenor guitars inviting and versatile.

Benefits of Playing Tenor Guitar

The tenor guitar might just be the best-kept secret in the world of stringed instruments. Their shorter scale makes them easier to play, while their range of tunings invites creativity. It's not uncommon to hear from players who’ve found renewed inspiration and creativity simply by picking up a tenor guitar.

Accessibility for Beginners

One benefit of having fewer strings is beginner players may find it less daunting than the full-sized six-string guitars, and it's a great first instrument. Fewer strings means simpler chord shapes! Most chords are playable with just a couple of fingers. This accessibility is appealing to those with smaller hands or anyone who finds traditional guitars cumbersome. New players get strumming faster on tenor guitars, boosting confidence in their learning journey.

Inspiration for Experienced Guitarists

For seasoned guitarists used to navigating the landscape of six strings, the tenor guitar offers a fresh, inspiring adventure. Four strings and a short scale encourage exploration through alternate tunings. This can be a welcome change, igniting a new burst of creativity, while still allowing the familiar mechanics of strings and frets and strumming. Putting the familiar in an unexpected context—that's how great art gets made!

Six String Guitar virtuoso RJ Ronquillo plays an Eastwood Classic Tenor

Choosing a Tenor Guitar

Deciding on a tenor guitar is like picking your favorite ice cream flavor—there are so many good choices! Your decision may be influenced by how you plan to approach the tenor guitar, whether you're a seasoned guitarist, a tenor banjo lover, or a ukulele player.

Guitar players looking for a tenor guitar may want an instrument with a familiar landscape. The Eastwood Guitars Model S Tenor fits the bill, with its Stratocaster-style body and controls. Electric guitarists will appreciate access to tones they already know and love, from bridge pickup single-coil bite to funky "in-between" sounds with the middle pickup.

Perhaps the more sonically adventurous will gravitate towards models like the Warren Ellis Tenor 2P. With its bridge humbucker, great sounding blade pickup in the neck, and on-off controls for each, you've got a huge variety of tones at your fingertips. The Warren Ellis series also offers a bunch of variations: tenor baritone guitars for exploring low end, left-handed tenor guitars, tenors with kill switches, and one-pickup tenors.

Players of banjos and other folk instruments will find tenor guitars open up a whole new world of tone. Those seeking a traditional look will appreciate the Eastwood TG-150, with its fusion of vintage styling from the midcentury with modern components and build quality. Mandolin players may find comfort the familiar shape of the MRG Tenor and enjoy carving out new sonic paths with the dual mini humbuckers.

Modern Tenor Guitar Makers

When it comes to popular models and brands in the tenor guitar landscape, Eastwood Guitars leads the modern charge. From solid-body designs like the Astrojet, to the classic hollowbody shape of the TG-150 (which came about through a collaboration with the Tenor Guitar Foundation), Eastwood has expanded the electric tenor guitar scene further than it's ever been. Meanwhile, Blueridge is renowned for crafting acoustic tenors that mirror the classic Martin O-18T models, and for uke players, Kala offers the KA-GTR acoustic tenor, bringing their expertise in ukuleles to another level of stringed instrument craftsmanship.

Where to Buy a Tenor Guitar

If you're ready to buy, you're already in the right place! Tenor-Guitars.com isn’t just another online music store—it’s a dedicated hub for tenor enthusiasts. Here’s why you can be confident when buying from us:

• Specialization – Unlike general music retailers, we focus exclusively on instruments tuned in fifths. We know these instruments inside and out.
• Curated Selection – We stock some of the best tenor guitars available, ensuring quality and variety.
• Expert Advice – Whether you're a beginner or a pro, our dedicated team of professionals understands all things Tenor and can help you find the perfect match.

Browse our selection here, and if you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to drop us a line.