Beginners looking for their first banjo should consider an open back banjo as a great choice, with numerous online learning resources such as Eli Gilbert’s 30-Day Banjo Challenge being great starting points.
Beginners will also need to consider genre. Clawhammer and frailing styles work best on an open back banjo while bluegrass requires a resonator style instrument.
How to Start
Though musical experience helps, you can start learning banjo without prior musical knowledge. There are a few steps involved in becoming proficient on this instrument: 1) selecting an appropriate banjo that matches your playing style (for beginners this typically means selecting a 4-string banjo known as a tenor banjo that typically appears in Dixieland jazz and Irish music), and 2) learning its instrument; these typically consist of clawhammer or frailing styles with or without fingerpicks as practice instruments for banjo playing (typically using four strings for practice purposes).
Resonators can increase banjo volume, making it suitable for bluegrass and other musical genres that feature soloing. Conversely, folk musicians or singer-songwriters may prefer an open back banjo without resonator – this option being less costly.
Tuning a banjo can be challenging, but the process can be made simpler using a chromatic tuner and tuning each string by ear until they sound in tune. Practice is necessary in order to develop an understanding of when strings are flat or sharp.
Instruments
Beginners to banjo can find many videos available at music stores to teach the fundamentals. These may prove beneficial as they’re relatively affordable and allow students to make mistakes without feeling embarrassed by it all.
As another option, some students may find an online banjo teacher more beneficial. Students can schedule lessons around their busy lives and revisit previous lessons as often as necessary in order to better grasp them.
Resonator banjos are popular with bluegrass musicians and produce an extremely loud sound, while an open back banjo found in folk music can produce a more melodic tone with clawhammer and frailing techniques used instead of finger picks.
When purchasing a resonator style banjo, it is crucial that the body contains a rotating fifth string peg that can be adjusted using its tuning knob. Furthermore, make sure it is constructed well.
Equipment
As a beginner, finding the appropriate banjo can be tricky. Beginners tend to favor open back (no resonator) models that are lighter and quieter; these tend to be beginner friendly as well as cheaper and work better for bluegrass/Scruggs style music. As soon as your playing progresses beyond beginner status, however, resonator banjos may provide deeper sound depth.
Your banjo will need a case, tuner and strings; investing in good quality strings such as Deering Goodtime’s inexpensive but easy-to-keep in tune strings would be wise. A capo and strap would also come in handy; one provides assistance when playing in public or jam sessions while the other helps prevent tendonitis and carpal tunnel during long practice sessions; you’ll also need one to carry it; gig bags provide convenient protection of the instrument without breaking the bank!
Practice
At first, mastering openback banjo playing may take some practice; however, doing so on a consistent basis will quickly foster musical comprehension and precision. A metronome is an invaluable asset when learning this instrument; using one can help build timing accuracy while developing consistent performances.
One effective strategy for practicing is focusing on one small segment or measure at a time, such as learning one of the first parts of a song you’re studying; once this has been accomplished, move onto the next segment/measure until all parts of it have been grasped. Repeat this process until all of it has been learned completely.
Finger picks (like metal guitar picks) may make the sound louder and more precise; these can be found at most music stores as well as online. When picking, keep your banjo somewhere easy for you to reach and pick it up – this should help with speed of learning as well.