Banjos often have a difficult learning curve for newcomers due to a lack of understanding on how best to set them up, particularly among novice players.
Just bring along a guitar tuner and some patience – we have your six string banjo covered! Follow these tips to achieve maximum results from it: first fine-tune the bridge placement by comparing its sound unfretted against its overtone when fretted at the twelfth fret – fine tune both separately to achieve desired results.
Double Drop D Tuning
Double Drop D tuning alters the first string by one octave, so it plays in harmony with the second string. According to George Gibson, this ancient tuning gives a banjo “a wonderful droning sound”. Most commonly played with a capo at second fret and examples of songs using this tuning include:
Tuning a 6-string banjo requires finding an accurate reference pitch for its lowest E string (6th string) such as from a piano or tuning fork, before plucking and adjusting its peg so it matches that note. After that, fret and tune A string. Finally, fret D string until all three strings match up perfectly with each other.
If you are new to six string banjo, it may be useful to experiment with different tunings until finding one that best fits you. Bluegrass-inspired music often calls for complex chord structures like C Major becoming Amadd11 chord. This tuning offers great potential.
Utilizing a banjo tuner is an excellent way to ensure that your instrument remains in tune. These handy devices come in various forms – handheld models to clip-on versions – to meet every player’s individual needs and keep tuning at its highest potential level. Be sure to utilize it regularly, since tuning may become unintentionally out of tune over time.
Open Back
The Goodtime Six 6-string banjo from Deering was created to bring 41 years of banjo expertise within reach of guitarists looking for an easy way to add banjo parts into their songs without compromising the clarity and fullness of their guitar sound. Tuned like a guitar, its 11″ 3-ply violin grade maple rim features a frosted top head as well as a comfortable guitar-style neck for optimal playing comfort.
An open back banjo does not feature a resonator like its counterpart; therefore it is more suitable for clawhammer and bluegrass players due to closer string spacing that produces greater volume. Furthermore, open back banjos tend to be lighter in weight which makes carrying it around easier when playing.
Washburn Americana Series’ B6 open-back banjo is specifically tailored for guitarists looking to incorporate banjo parts into their songwriting without learning a whole new instrument. Tuned the same as a guitar, its features include mahogany resonator, 11″ notched tension hoop with 24 brackets capped by Remo banjo head and an ebony-tipped bridge for optimal tone transfer, standard guitar tuning head with smooth-action die-cast tuners for stability and standard tuning head for standard guitar tuning head tuning head stability – ready- and makes an essential addition for any musician!
Resonator
Some 6-string banjos feature a resonator to increase volume and sustain. It can be an attractive feature for bluegrass players or folk music styles; however, adding one can increase weight and compromise tuning/tone quality.
Some 6-string banjos use metal guitar strings, making them difficult for newcomers to the instrument to play. Some companies now make versions with nylon strings instead, which make the instrument easier for beginners and sound just as great (if not better than) traditional bluegrass 6-string banjos.
Keep in mind that the quality of a banjo’s neck can have an enormous effect on how well you play it. Some necks can be fast and comfortable while others may be stiff and difficult. Before making a purchase, be sure to test a variety of banjos with each potential neck option so you can find your ideal match.
Some players who use 6-string banjos to perform Dixieland and related styles opt to replace the fifth and sixth strings with lighter, tuned an octave higher strings – an often challenging but highly rewarding strategy that can significantly alter the sound of their banjo. Doing this properly can have a tremendous effect on its sound!
Weight
Many 6 string banjos (also called banjo guitars) are designed to be light in weight for guitarists to easily handle. These instruments often utilize lightweight woods and feature lightweight strings such as phosphor bronze or nickel windings, helping the banjo ring out with greater clarity and brightness without adding too much additional weight to its structure.
Vega 6 string banjos are often tuned like guitars so they can be played by guitarists without much modification, making them an excellent option for beginner banjo players who want to learn without needing to change chording patterns or fingering techniques on their guitars. This makes Vegas ideal choices for newcomers looking to learn to play banjo.
Are You an Experienced Guitar Player Looking to Learn Banjo Playing? Start out right with a 6 String Banjo
If you plan on playing your 6-string banjo with a band, investing in a pickup may allow for easier amplified playing. Many manufacturers such as Fishman, LR Baggs and Kavanjo make pickups that can be installed onto existing 6-string banjos; recording studios also benefit greatly from having pickups as they make your instrument louder than drums or other loud instruments during sessions.