A 6-string banjo can be played much like a guitar when using fingerpicking or strumming techniques; for an enhanced sound use a flatpick.
To properly set a bridge, scootch its end back and forth until an octave overtone sounds similar to string fretted at twelfth fret; this should take roughly 15 minutes.
Regular Banjo Tabs
Banjo Tabs resemble standard music manuscript paper in that there are horizontal lines extending across the page that represent individual strings; numbers sitting atop or beneath these lines indicate fret numbers for that string; variations include placing the fret number above, below, or through that same line that represents it.
Most times when you see numbers on a tab, they indicate strumming with your index finger. Other tabs may use letters to show what fingers to use – for instance 0 means strumming with thumb, index and middle fingers simultaneously on three strings. Chords also frequently appear; these consist of multiple notes played simultaneously.
Banjo music is typically not too complicated rhythmically; there are only two primary note values – quarter and half notes, where each note represents one beat or two beats respectively. There are also various rests such as crotchet rests, quaver rests and semi-quaver rests that all work similarly despite having different values; it may take a little practice before becoming second nature – TAB makes things even easier by showing both notation and tab on one sheet of music for easier navigation!
Flatpicks
Some players use flatpicks to alter the tone of a banjo. Most flatpickers position their thumb and index finger like an upside-down T on their pick with their thumb slightly lower than their index, leaving other fingers loosely tucked behind them in line. Some players also change thickness of pick for different sounds – there are various medium- to heavy-weight and pointed flatpicks available on the market today.
People often misperceive six string banjos (also called banjitars or guitjos) as not being “real,” yet many of the greatest recordings in American music history were produced with six string banjos. Furthermore, because 6-string banjos resemble guitars more closely than 5-string versions it makes learning this instrument much simpler for those already proficient with playing guitars.
Deering has recently increased availability of their Goodtime six string banjo, featuring metal guitar strings and a radiused guitar-style neck. This model is ideal for Dixieland and early Jazz 6-string banjo; however it should be remembered that 6-string banjos offer less sustain than guitars, meaning patterns which require strumming multiple open strings simultaneously can often sound weak.
Thumbpicks
A 6-string banjo allows guitarists to expand their musical horizons with unparalleled creativity. However, it should be remembered that its feel and tone will differ significantly from a guitar; this may require time for players to adapt.
Pete Seeger popularized five-string banjos, while 6-string ones came into being during an era when guitar was far more prevalent than banjo. These instruments were introduced as an aid for Tenor guitar players seeking access to lower notes; early manufacturers promoted these “guitar banjos” as a means for Tenor guitar players to gain banjo tones without learning an entirely separate instrument.
Modern iterations of this instrument are played in Celtic groups, Bluegrass and Country circles and possibly singer/songwriter groups; however, 6-string banjo has yet to make a significant impression upon public perception of banjos.
This may be partially attributable to the fact that many 6-string instruments sold as cheap “wall decorations” feature many unnecessary bells and whistles that can be difficult for novice players to understand. On the bright side, more cost-conscious enthusiasts can also find simpler guitar-style banjo models with radiused fingerboards which accept metal guitar strings without breaking their budgets.
Tuning
There are various methods for tuning a 6-string banjo. One approach is using standard G tuning with double drop C string tuning; this provides both chordal and melodic opportunities and creates a distinct sound from 5-string banjos. This tuning style may be useful for guitarists whose parts require them to play banjo briefly and/or for whom 5-string won’t suffice (such as sounding too flat on an acoustic Dobro).
An alternate method for tuning six strings is using standard G tuning with one dropped D string, providing chordal and melodic opportunities; however, this option may not be as flexible. Fingerstyle players often prefer this tuning for its gutsy metallic sound of its lower strings.
Whatever tuning option you select, if the neck of your banjo does not sit perfectly aligned with its head it may require adjustments to its coordinator rod(s). A common condition among necks that curve slightly back can be corrected by moving one or more coordinator rod(s) either down toward or toward tailpiece as necessary to position each string at exactly its spot on the nut. When dealing with budget models bridge adjustments may also need making; to assist in this regard it may be useful to look at Deering’s video to see what constitutes proper adjustments on Deering’s video featuring Deering’s video depicted coordinator rods images so as to know when making adjustments are appropriate for example on cheaper models that might need bridge adjusting as an aid!