Before beginning to play the banjo, there are several aspects you should keep in mind before diving in. Tuners are essential in ensuring your instrument remains in tune while practicing or performing live performances.
Find an appropriate banjo: while most bluegrass banjos feature resonators, those playing clawhammer may prefer an open back model.
Equipment
Beginning banjo players need a high-quality openback banjo with durable strings and a tuner capable of keeping it tuned during practice and live performances.
Before shopping, knowing exactly what type of banjo you want is key. Gold Tone and Deering offer beginner banjos at a good value that still have great sound.
An open back banjo allows the string’s sound to resonate off of its rim, making it popular among claw hammer players and singer-songwriters. Furthermore, its cost effectiveness also makes it an excellent option for those on tight budgets.
Tuning
There are various banjo tunings to consider when picking one out for yourself, depending on the style of music and learning alternate tunings in the future. C-tuning works well with clawhammer and frailing styles of playing but can also work great when bluegrass tunes require Open G tuning-sounds similar.
Bluegrass players looking for an instrument with louder tone should opt for a resonator banjo, as its louder tone helps cut through noise at jam sessions. Students in school can purchase an openback banjo with a mutes and practice in their dormitory without disturbing roommates during practice time.
Many players enjoy exploring other tunings beyond standard Open G, including Double C and Dorian tuning (gDGAD). Dorian can create an eerie yet haunting modal sound that works particularly well in Celtic and Appalachian folk tunes; standard G tunes may also use it by lowering its fourth string one tone to D.
Practice
Daily practice will help to cultivate your musical ear and take full advantage of this versatile instrument. Additionally, practicing will aid in developing proper fingerings and posture for playing the banjo; an improper posture can negatively influence both sound production and accessing all strings with ease.
Open back banjos are commonly associated with bluegrass and clawhammer styles of banjo playing, while resonator models may be better suited for other genres and often cost more. Beginner players may find the open back Deering Goodtime openback banjo especially accommodating as it offers excellent playability while remaining within budget.
Although prior musical experience can be helpful in learning the banjo, it is not required. Many teaching materials designed specifically for beginners have been created with those without prior musical knowledge in mind.
Music
No matter whether your goal is bluegrass or clawhammer banjo, playing to music that will enhance your learning process will make the task simpler. As with any musical instrument, practice makes perfect; just remember it takes time!
Consider what type of banjo you would like – either resonator or open back? A resonator banjo is ideal for playing bluegrass and Scruggs style music as it allows louder playing styles; an open back banjo, on the other hand, would work better for traditional clawhammer or mountain folk styles since its volume can be adjusted more quietly.
Starter banjo players should begin with an entry-level student model such as the Deering Goodtime or Goodtime II banjo to begin, since these tend to be cheaper than resonator versions and sound fantastic. Sitting correctly and avoiding slouching are both essential as this can have an impact on how sound is produced; our interactive tuning game below can assist with this aspect of playing!