Resonator banjos tend to produce a different sound than open-back banjos. Their sound projection is much stronger and often preferred by bluegrass musicians.
Learn to play your favorite resonator banjo songs by following these easy steps. Regular practice will strengthen your skills while keeping the instrument clean and lubricated will prevent damage.
1. Old Time Music
At first, banjos had gourd or pot bodies covered with animal skin and tuned like African akontings with one short fifth string serving as a drone string.
Early 5-string banjos lacked frets, necessitating a capo to change keys for melodies that required it. Later on, 4-string plectrum and tenor banjos entered the market but did not replace five-string models altogether.
Today’s old time bands generally consist of fiddles, banjos and bass instruments, with some bands adding mandolin for color and tonal range. Most traditional old-time picking songs are played using open back (no resonator) banjos using clawhammer style picking techniques.
2. Sweet Georgia Brown
At roughly the same time, mandolin player Bill Monroe made waves with his distinctive brand of music which blended blues licks with Mountain Music – later to become known as Bluegrass Music; Earl Scruggs began popularizing this style among Country & Western enthusiasts.
Pete Seeger kept Folk-style banjo alive, performing various styles on a backless banjo as well as classical-guitar-style picking on his 4-string banjo.
The Songster Resonator Banjo features a comfortable mahogany neck with Revebond fingerboard for excellent playability, nickel resonator hardware, and premium Remo banjo head. Its authentic rolled tone ring produces rich sustain while fast planetary headstock tuners allow easy tuning adjustments on-the-fly.
3. Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me
Resonator banjos may be most often associated with bluegrass music, but its possibilities extend far beyond that genre. Artists such as Noam Pikelny and Rhiannon Giddens have made use of resonator banjos to explore various music and styles beyond its typical bluegrass context, expanding its potential further.
For you to successfully play the resonator banjo, it’s necessary to first master some fundamental chords and strumming techniques using your pick. After mastering these fundamentals, try playing more complex melodies while exploring different fingering combinations.
To keep your banjo safe from damage, regularly inspect its strings and tuning pegs for signs of wear or damage. Also keep it out of direct sunlight or extreme temperatures.
4. You Can’t Make Old Friends
Resonator banjos produce louder tones than open-back models and are commonly favoured by bluegrass musicians. While not difficult to learn or play, resonator banjos do require practice to become proficient with.
Some collectibles appreciate in value with age, such as banjos (excluding specific models and brands). When purchasing one it pays to follow advice carefully and weigh all available information carefully before making your purchase.
Consider whether or not your pot is constructed of wood (either pre-WWII student lines or cheap Chinese banjo) versus one with a flange that attaches the resonator; the latter usually commands higher value. Furthermore, remember to factor in potential resale value should you decide to sell later.
5. I’m a Country Boy
Though not in the key of C, this tune is an excellent one for beginner banjo players to learn as it is quite straightforward compared to some of the more complex clawhammer songs on this list. Plus it showcases all of Resonator Banjo’s different sounds!
Your non-banjo playing friends will expect you to know and request that you play this tune for them; it’s sure to keep their spirits high! Furthermore, its simple chord progression can be played using only 3 finger roll technique!
6. Blue Moon
Resonator banjos can be great options for beginners as they provide louder tones. But if budget constraints limit your choices, open-back models like the Deering Goodtime 2 and Bishline Okie models provide quality construction at more reasonable price points while offering similar construction quality – both will sound good without adding an added resonator!
Resonators attached to the back of banjos serve as built-in amplifiers, making resonator banjos significantly louder than open-back banjos and ideal for bluegrass music. Furthermore, their tone has warmer overtones compared to standard banjos.