Many guitarists who purchase six string banjos fall victim to the popular belief that it is just like playing guitar, when it can actually be far different in practice. When trying to play barre chords on such instruments, barre chords may become muted unless two strings are deadened or tuned an octave higher – an effort designed to reduce confusion can help.
Johnny St. Cyr was known for playing 6-string banjo on legendary jazz recordings with King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong – his sound was unparalleled.
They are an acoustic instrument
I have been playing the six string banjo for 11 years. Although not professionally, I do play some folk music. Additionally, I studied classical guitar for two or three years; any piece that sounds great on guitar can work just as well with banjo with more practice and musicality needed for it to sound its best.
First and foremost, keep in mind that 6-string banjos differ in terms of tuning from acoustic guitars due to the drone string being tuned at a lower pitch than its other strings – this difference in tuning will alter how your instrument sounds; therefore it’s essential that a banjo tuner be used regularly to ensure all strings remain in tune.
An additional key consideration when assembling a 6-string banjo is having light strings compared to an acoustic guitar. Most 6-string banjos utilize light phosphor bronze strings which allows for full and rich sound output.
The six-string banjo has long been considered an instrument of jazz music. Dating back over 100 years and appearing on famous recordings by King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong and others; as well as bluegrass and folk. Even non-jazz fans can appreciate its sound by learning fingerpicking techniques – just avoid patterns that involve strumming open chords as these will muddy its sound! Muting techniques may help reduce some of its overtones from low strings.
They can be fitted with or retro fitted with a pickup
Many 6 string banjos come equipped with an installed piezo electric pickup, providing an effortless and cost-effective way to make the banjo sound much more like a guitar. A pickup can also come in handy in noisy environments or recordings; investing in one could make all the difference for your playing! A great pickup can truly transform the way your instrument sounds; so give one some serious consideration as part of your investment portfolio.
Many banjos sold today are extremely cheap and poorly constructed, though Deering Goodime line banjos may offer better craftsmanship and may come closer to being playable right out of the box than most. Most commonly, you must first tighten, adjust and relocate the bridge for it to work effectively.
One way to check that the bridge is in its proper location is by placing a light string at the first fret and tuning it according to guitar tuning standards. Now pick it with your right hand and listen out for its octave overtone – a bell-like sound one octave higher than when played unfretted – with your right ear; if this sound can be heard clearly then your bridge should be located correctly.
A 6 string banjo can be used for bluegrass, ragtime, dixieland and country music; its flexibility to utilize guitar chords makes it even more so. Unfortunately it is not suitable for performing ultra fast Scruggs-style rolls.
They can be played like a guitar
The 6-string banjo is an expressive and versatile instrument, capable of playing several styles including bluegrass. When equipped with a pickup and amplifier, its sound becomes even stronger; many six-string banjos even come equipped with resonators – perfect for bluegrass music! However, six-string banjos require greater skill to master.
Although most banjos don’t come ready to play right out of the box, a little setup can make them more playable. Most often you will just need to put in the bridge and tune the strings – both tasks that can easily be accomplished using screwdrivers and pliers. However, be prepared if purchasing an inexpensive banjo as this may take more work before becoming playable.
As with guitar tuning, banjo tuning begins by raising the first string one whole step. Once this step has been taken, any guitar chord can be played using just four of your banjo’s strings – although overtones from two low strings may prove more challenging to control with this method than with others. A clip-on tuner should also be used regularly to check each string’s pitch – as maintaining correct tuning ensures better sound quality and will allow you to keep up the character of your banjo’s sound quality!
They are a great accompaniment instrument
Blues or jazz musicians alike will appreciate the six string banjo as an indispensable accompaniment instrument. While some players have complained about its two low strings sounding muddy, using palm muting and good pick control can easily remove this issue; plus it sounds great finger picked.
This instrument became extremely popular during the 1920’s, appearing on seminal jazz recordings by King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong. While its popularity has diminished somewhat since that time, this kind of banjo can still serve as an accompaniment instrument for acoustic blues and jazz guitarists; particularly useful when parts call for brief banjo passages that cannot be accomplished on five string.
As it can be tricky to play a five-string banjo with identical fingerings on a six-string instrument, practice is key until your right hand can make accurate calls that are consistent and consistent with each other. Also keep in mind that six strings require more tension than five strings so it is vitally important that it stays in tune.
On a six-string banjo, nylon strings are highly recommended to give a better overall sound and reduce neck strain when playing for extended periods. Nylon strings also tend to be cheaper and less susceptible to breaking than metal ones which may cost more and be more prone to breakage.