Banjo novices often lack an understanding of why or why not to choose an open-back or resonator banjo, nor that their selection forces them into one specific picking style.
Metal resonators project and enhance the banjo’s sound and tone, making them popular choices for performances.
Dirty Thirty
Recording King has you covered when it comes to classic sound at an accessible price – the Dirty Thirty Tenor Banjo can deliver! This road-ready instrument boasts a slim Prohibition-era maple body equipped with nickel resonator hardware and features a Remo Fiberskyn banjo head that project bold foundational tones ideal for folk, bluegrass, and Americana music genres.
The neck has a natural finish and features an ergonomic C shaped fingerboard with excellent tuners that are simple and user-friendly.
The Dirty 30s features a Mastertone-style notched tension hoop and 24-round hooks of higher quality than those found on typical beginner banjos, plus superior nut and tailpiece construction compared to entry-level models from competing manufacturers.
The Blues
While banjos are most often associated with Bluegrass music, they can also be utilized for other styles of musical expression. With its soulful tone that ranges from haunting to joyful moments and can even be played using a slide instrument.
In the 1950s, resonator banjos were created with tone rings to increase sound quality and give more consistent tonality. Today, these versatile instruments can be found in a wide array of styles and sizes and make an excellent starting point for anyone wanting to learn to play banjo.
After its popularity had declined during the late 1960s due to folk singers switching over to guitars, 5-string banjo playing subsided for several years before experiencing a revival during the 1970s due to Earl Scruggs and his groundbreaking “Bluegrass” picking techniques.
I Don’t Want to Be Afraid of the Dark
This song depicts an individual’s fear of the dark – a prevalent anxiety among many who venture out alone at night. Music has the ability to convey many different emotions and feelings and this makes it such an effective form of expression – it can both provoke fears while soothing pain or fears away.
Taylor Swift included a Deering Boston 6-string Acoustic/Electric banjo in her hit song Mean to add country flavor without departing too far from her guitar roots.
As with guitar tuners, better Four-String banjos from any manufacturer typically employ “planetary” tuners that sit directly from behind and maintain its traditional aesthetic compared to guitar-style tuners that stick out from either side of the instrument. You might occasionally come across one with single metal pot construction like this one, but be wary!
Blue Eyed Boy
Resonator banjos provide a distinctive sound, perfect for adding variety and depth to musical arrangements. Their metal resonators enhance and project its sound more clearly, making it louder than its open-back counterpart.
Five-string banjos underwent continuous adjustments and improvements; scale lengths increased, tone rings were upgraded and resonator designs refined – enabling these instruments to keep up with the growing Jazz orchestras of that period.
Capo use can pose particular difficulties when changing key, however there are devices available that make this easier for musicians. Furthermore, it’s essential that regularly inspect your banjo to ensure it remains playable – most Gold Tone banjos arrive playable; however some minor adjustments may be necessary for optimal performance.
I’m a Country Boy
Some songs just get it right; they capture people instantly with just a few beats or words, as John Denver proved with this down-home country tune.
Resonator banjos are an alternative to open-back banjos that add an extension plate at the rim to boost sound projection and volume, often used in bluegrass and country music genres.
Taylor Swift used a Deering Boston 6-string banjo in her Grammy Award winning song “Mean.” Swift required an instrument that could add country flair without becoming too distracting; thus the banjo certainly met this criteria. Playing it isn’t simple; however with some practice you’ll quickly master this timeless instrument.