A 6-string banjo can be an excellent introduction to banjo playing for guitarists, or an ideal choice for experienced banjo players looking to explore a different playing style. But be wary that not all 6-string banjos are created equal!
Some banjos come equipped with resonators that obscure the sound, while others feature necks that make playing difficult. Here is what to look out for when searching for a quality 6-string banjo.
The Basics
The general approach for playing a 6-string banjo is similar to playing a 5-string instrument, except with an additional bass string. Bass strings require less finger dexterity than higher ones; so starting off on these strings may be best. Start practicing simple songs that use only basic chords and rolls (patterns of notes picked consecutively). Be consistent in setting aside regular practice time; immersing yourself in banjo music will provide inspiration and will show how versatile this instrument truly can be!
Familiarize yourself with all the parts of a banjo – its head, rim, neck and resonator can all be removed for easier maintenance and adjustments as necessary. This will enable you to follow tutorials more easily as well as make necessary modifications on your own.
Check the Bridge Position
Most 6-string banjos feature movable bridges, so it’s essential that they be fine-tuned prior to playing. To do so, gently hold a string over the twelfth fret without pressing it against it before plucking and you should hear an octave overtone that sounds higher than unfretted strings when plucked; if that tone differs significantly from fretted strings fretted at this fret position then move either closer or further from tailpiece until this occurs and will cause retuning of your instrument allowing it to tune again.
Dependent upon your playing style, the lowest strings may either need to be fretted/deaden so they don’t ring, or left unfretted so you can pick them with your index finger like on a guitar. Some experienced players like having all six strings ring; this may be difficult for beginners used to picking only four of them with flatpick.
Getting Started
Some banjo purists might pooh-poo this variation of the instrument, but 6-string banjos can make an excellent instrument for blues, country, Dixieland or any other style that uses guitar chords. Furthermore, fingerpicked banjo players can get an exciting gutsy sound when plunk-plucking that differs significantly from 5-string. 6-strings also prove especially helpful for guitarists whose gigs require them to double on banjo for short stints (something 5-strings can’t do).
Beginners may benefit from beginning on an open-back 5-string banjo and gradually upgrading to 6-string models over time. This will give them a feel for how each instrument tunes, with some open-back models offering one or two coordinator rods which help prevent twisting back and forth of the neck as well as maintain consistent tension on its head.
Adjustments can be made using either a wrench or tightening them with your fingers, as long as they fit flush against the bridge head when adjusted properly. Too tight of coordinator rods could result in noticeable depressions beneath it when touched; in such instances it would be wiser to consult a professional and have him/her adjust or tighten them further.
Strings
There are plenty of budget six-string banjos on the market, from companies that simply add an inexpensive guitar neck onto a 5-string body. While this might work fine if your goal is simply to replicate “old time” sounds, if your goal is playing together or recording, then a real six-string will provide much better sound and playback experience.
As someone accustomed to playing steel string acoustic guitars, adapting to playing 6-string banjo can be challenging. While on guitar you can just rest your fingers on the strings without them resounding each fretted note, when picking strings individually for banjo you must pick each string carefully or they resound after every beat of song.
Tuning should also be taken into consideration. A five-string banjo offers an open tuning, making it easier for guitarists to master, but is less flexible than its bluegrass counterpart’s standard G tuning.
6-string banjos can also be equipped with pickups for live performances and studio recordings, enabling it to be amplified without altering its natural tone. Some top pickup manufacturers such as Fishman, LR Baggs and Kavanjo offer models at different price points to meet different applications. When buying one for yourself or another instrument it is wise to visit an expert technician familiar with setting them up; doing this will save both time and money over time.
Sound
A 6-string banjo offers a distinctive sound compared to its 5-string counterpart, though whether or not its sound suits an individual player depends on his or her musical tastes and playing style. Many banjo players utilize its lower strings to add a gutsy tone (similar to using bass guitar strings on an acoustic dobro).
Strumming open chords with a flatpick may produce cacophonous sounds as its high and low string overtones interfere with each other, producing chaotic noise. To prevent this, fingerpicking open strings should be preferred over strumming them.
One factor affecting the tone of a banjo is its flat or radiused fingerboard. Experienced players who are used to playing steel string guitars will find that having radiused fingerboard makes playing bar chords much simpler.
Pot and tone ring materials also have an effect on banjo sound quality; cheaper “pop-top” banjos with metal pots and tone rings tend to produce harsher sound than higher-end models which feature wooden pots and resonator flanges.
Whoever is serious about playing banjo should consider taking their instrument to be professionally “setup.” Most full-service music stores provide this service, and the cost will pay dividends by making playing easier.