Six String Banjos offer guitarists an opportunity to explore a whole host of new musical avenues; however, until it is pre-set up it may need some adjustments before becoming truly usable.
Initial step should be adjusting the bridge placement; it should sit roughly half-an-inch from the neck by the 12th fret.
Traditional
Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, banjos were ubiquitous. Manufacturers offered numerous models ranging from five string banjos with classic tuning to six string models tuned like guitars; both types offered both short and long neck options.
After World War II, 5-string banjos remained popular south of the Mason Dixon line and afterword, but 6-strings gradually gained more favor as more musicians switched over and experimented with them – playing bluesy songs as well as dixieland style music with them.
These banjos were usually constructed quickly with a resonator but without the metal flange found on later models. Their short scale length, harsh sound, and lack of intonation issues made for some rather inexpensive alternatives.
Utilizing a flatpick to play open chords on a 6-string banjo will always sound cacophonous without fretting or deadening its lower two strings, but picking each bass string individually adds an audacious growl that adds great bass tone. Most people who make mistakes with six string banjos include trying to use it like they would play guitar only to become frustrated because its low strings keep ringing continuously, leaving it sounding muddy.
Bluegrass
Bluegrass musicians tend to favor six string banjos without resonators for playing bluegrass music. Although you can use either finger picking or strumming techniques on them, many prefer their natural sound over that produced by instruments with resonators systems.
Resonators can add both weight and cost to a six-string banjo, though their presence adds weight and cost. Nylon strings may be less expensive than steel ones but some bluegrass players find them lacking character; alternatively some banjos may use stainless steel strings that produce no complex overtones; these might be better suited to jazz or classical banjo playing than bluegrass music.
Muted bass strings can be muted or deadened so that only four are ringing at once, using careful palm muting and pick control to eliminate most overtones that make a six-string banjo sound muddy. In addition, these lower strings may also serve as drone strings – useful when playing bluegrass, dixieland or ragtime styles of music.
Some unfamiliar with six string banjos may be skeptical that it is indeed real or worth their money, especially when purchasing cheap models or not trying them properly before condemning. With proper maintenance, however, an exceptional six string banjo can make an amazing instrument suitable for bluegrass, country, jazz dixieland and ragtime music styles alike.
Jazz
Late 19th century saw an upsurge in jazz-influenced banjo playing, particularly Dixieland and Pete Seeger’s ragtime style (he played an older four string banjo). These fretless five-gut string banjos often featured resonators to increase volume by reflecting sound around instead of directly into your stomach.
Resonators allow for playing chords with the right hand while the left hand picks the drone string, and help prevent overtones when playing hammer-ons and pull-offs. Unfortunately, 6-string banjos don’t lend themselves well to fingerpicking techniques needed in bluegrass music.
Some people enjoy these types of banjos, and guitarists in particular tend to favor these models more. It is important to remember, though, that all the “bells and whistles” are just accessories; there are numerous more basic models which could suit particular styles of music just as effectively as more elaborate options.
Country
Some 6-string banjo players add a bass string between the fifth and drone strings to achieve more guitar-like sound. These instruments are often found in bluegrass music and produce deeper, fuller tones than 5-string banjos; additionally they allow you to easily play more complex chords or licks without fretting them out first.
As a guitarist, you should know that 6-string banjos may require additional practice before becoming comfortable on them. They produce more overtones and do not respond as easily to hammer-on and pull-off techniques found on guitars; additionally, strumming open chords on one can often sound cacophonous since its low strings continue to resonate even after you have fretted them and deadened them.
However, these issues shouldn’t deter those interested in playing a 6-string banjo from giving it a try. They’re an ideal option for musicians not quite ready to move beyond 5-string banjos yet while offering something special and distinct compared to their predecessors. Just pay attention when selecting your banjo setup; one with strings at an ergonomic height for your hands will make playing easier while minimizing any pain or discomfort while performing.