Many 6-string banjos, particularly cheaper models, can be difficult to set up and play; however, with perseverance and the aid of an experienced technician you should be able to make them work successfully.
Most six-string banjos feature radiused necks similar to guitars, making them more accommodating for guitarists looking to start fingerstyle or picking.
Folkies and old-timey players frequently capo the fifth string up to double D, often known as Sawmill tuning, for double D tuning – as used in bluegrass music.
Strings
On a 6-string banjo, nylon strings offer more of an authentic old-time banjo sound. Furthermore, you may experiment with alternate tunings to get closer to its roots.
Open G tuning is an ideal starting point. This tuning emulates the sound of a guitar while offering unique chord voicing. Perfect for fingerstyle players and popular among bluegrass musicians alike.
Drop D tuning is another open tuning that excels on six string banjos. Known for its lower initial string tuning and distinctive tonal qualities, Drop D tuning has long been used by singer-songwriters and fingerstyle players due to its flexibility and unique sound.
To tune a 6-string banjo, it is first important to establish a reference pitch for its lowest E string (6th string), such as using a piano, tuning fork, or other instrument. After finding this reference pitch, fret the 6th string against this reference to determine its pitch; adjust its tuning peg accordingly until both are in tune with one another.
Electronic tuners can also come in handy, particularly if you prefer playing by ear. There are various models and prices to choose from, some featuring built-in piezo-electric pickups for easy use on the move; and there are even those designed specifically to clip onto clothing so they are always accessible when playing away from home.
Tuning
Most players will notice the sound difference between a 6-string banjo and its 5-string counterpart is significant, especially the bass strings which tend to be thicker and produce an aggressive metallic sound when fingerpicked compared with 5-string banjos. This may make the 6-string more suitable for Dixieland music or for playing an acoustic gig while double banjo/guitar gigs.
Tuning a 6-string guitar requires more steps and adjustments than tuning an ordinary guitar, due to an octave difference between its lower and upper strings. To properly tune a 6-string, begin by finding a reference pitch (piano or tuning fork works well), pluck the lowest string and adjust its peg until its pitch matches your reference, fret the highest string at its twelfth fret until its tone matches that produced by an open note and adjust the bridge position as necessary – typically by shifting toward tailpiece a bit
Once you become comfortable fingerpicking a 6-string banjo – including developing right-hand calluses – it may be difficult to maintain an even balance among its strings. Furthermore, due to lack of sustain in comparison with a guitar, strumming patterns that involve all six strings may sound thin.
Bridge
Six-string banjos offer you a richer, deeper sound not found on 5-string models, as well as providing greater access to higher up the neck chording for beginners.
Like their 5-string counterpart, 6-string banjos come in openback and resonator styles; some even boast pickups to mimic the sound of electric guitar. No matter whether your musical interests lie with bluegrass or rock music, there is sure to be a 6-string banjo suitable for you!
As part of your banjo tuning routine, check that your bridge is tight enough to support all the strings securely. If a depression exists beneath it with tuned strings brought to pitch, then loosening is too loose; simply skootch back and forth across the headstock to loosen. Although this may alter tuning slightly, having an accurate, tight bridge will always pay dividends!
Bluegrass musicians typically prefer playing in open G (gDGBD), while old-time and folkies usually rely on double C chords or sawmill (gDGBbD). When using barre chords high up on the neck, it’s essential that the bottom two strings be fretted or deadened or fretless deadened so as not to distort and dilute your sound; similarly when fingerpicking it’s essential not to pick these bass strings too hard or their sound could become unbalanced and cause them to distort and distort and distort your sound!
Fingerboard
As we know, banjo necks feature steep and curved fingerboards to honour how six-string banjos were originally strung over a century ago! You might find some inexpensive banjos with flat fingerboards; these require much more skill to play well and don’t produce the same sound quality as properly set 6-string banjos.
Most 6-string banjos feature a radius of approximately one 11/16″, similar to that found on steel-string acoustic guitars, as the banjo neck is actually an adapted guitar neck glued directly onto its body.
If you want to play chords on a 6-string banjo, it is essential to remember that its lower two strings won’t sound the same when tuning to open G tuning (gDGBD). Chords won’t sound exactly the same and playing Dixieland style music may prove challenging – however you still might get some nice results!
Assuming you intend to use alternate tunings or change strings frequently, it is wise to seek professional setup of your banjo. Otherwise, adjusting it yourself can be very frustrating for newer players. Adjustments can be made by tightening or loosening the truss rod at the nut on top of your peghead under an access cover – turning clockwise will tighten it and reduce neck bow while turning counterclockwise will loosen it and increase it.