Banjos are stunning instruments, yet learning them may seem intimidating at first. There is an overwhelming range of choices when purchasing, new terminology to learn and plenty of work ahead.
No matter your musical tastes – bluegrass, Irish jigs or folk music – finding an instrument is your first step towards learning an instrument is.
Choosing a Banjo
Since banjos lack frets and instead use bent strings to produce notes, learning one is more complex than learning the guitar, necessitating assistance from an experienced banjo teacher.
Resonator banjos tend to produce louder tones, making them suitable for genres like bluegrass and clawhammer music. To reduce volume levels further, taking off or installing a bridge mute may provide additional silence in performances.
Finding the ideal banjo within your budget can be challenging. Advice may come in from fans of various brands; keep an open mind and weigh all options carefully before making a final decision. A banjo’s quality can often be determined by its neck, fingerboard and resonator material; better-quality instruments typically use ebony for these parts while cheaper models often feature maple. Often found on higher-end models is a metal truss rod to adjust intonation for easier playing experience.
Getting Started
Keep this in mind when selecting your banjo: the type you need depends entirely on what style of music you plan to learn. For instance, clawhammer or other traditional old time styles might call for an open back banjo; but if Scruggs-style playing is your goal then perhaps opting for a resonator banjo may be more suitable.
When purchasing a banjo, it is crucial to purchase the highest quality instrument within your budget and heed all advice you receive, particularly from those affiliated with certain brands. You may pay more initially; however, this investment will result in an instrument with superior tone that lasts much longer and sounds far superior than its cheaper counterpart.
Sometimes brand-new banjos require adjustments upon arriving home from their first performance, with tune coming slightly out or the neck curving slightly out of tune – having it professionally assessed right away is recommended for optimal playback.
Learning the Basics
Start out on your banjo journey by finding a style of play that excites you. There are numerous approaches available; some more complex than others. For instance, fans of bluegrass music might enjoy learning Scruggs style; this involves using fingerpicks on thumb, index and middle fingers of right hand (GRAMMY winning banjoist Noam Pikelny provides an outstanding demonstration on this technique). For further inspiration check out Noam Pikelny’s magnificent presentation.
Consider whether a resonator would enhance your banjo experience, depending on what kind of music and tones you wish to create. Bluegrass players often prefer resonator banjos as these help project their sound loudly during live performances.
An effective banjo playing requires having an acute sense of hearing. An interactive banjo tuning game can help develop pitch recognition abilities.
Strumming
Once you become comfortable playing the banjo and have learned some basic melodies, it’s time to practice strumming. To create chords on a banjo, hold down each string individually until they all appear in their proper places before strumming all four at the same time – this creates harmony! Some tune their banjo to sound similar to an electric guitar (EADG), while others opt for tuning their banjo so it sounds similar to mandolin or ukulele (GADGC).
Dependent upon your style, heavier or lighter gauge strings may be best. In either case, it is essential that they be regularly cleaned of dirt and sweat that could harm them; additionally a string lubricant may reduce friction and extend their lifespan.