Resonators on banjos add volume to their sound, and are used in bluegrass and old time music styles as well as having an effect on string vibrations frequency.
With an open back banjo, some of the sound is absorbed by the player’s body, softening and quietening down its sound quality.
Bluegrass
Resonator banjos are a favorite choice among bluegrass musicians, thanks to their distinct, cutting sound that stands out in any setting. Plus, their added volume provides another advantage to many Bluegrass players.
Bluegrass music originated in the United States following World War II in the 1940s as an offshoot of old-time string band music, distinguished from other country and western genres by its driving rhythms, high-pitched tenor vocals, tight harmonies, and an overwhelming presence of jazz and blues influences.
Bluegrass music has evolved beyond its origins by including traditional square dance tunes, religious songs and ballads into its repertoire. Furthermore, its influence varies regionally: honky tonk has proven popular in the Midwest while southern influences crept their way northward into Nashville, creating its own distinct flavor there and on the West Coast. Bluegrass is sometimes called “hillbilly music,” though purists would disagree; similarly it has also become an instrument to bridge political and cultural divisions in America; loyal bluegrass audiences tend to be older white Southerners that tend toward conservatism in terms of both political views and musical preferences.
Country
Resonator banjos are commonly utilized in country music to add an original and distinctive sound, as well as being utilized by musicians from different genres to enhance the overall sound of their compositions.
Resonator banjos feature a metal resonator which amplifies and projects sound outward, giving these instruments an amplified tone with more brightness and fullness than open-back banjos. Resonator banjos have proven popular among bluegrass musicians due to their distinctive sound; however, these versatile instruments can be used across various musical genres.
To play a resonator banjo, simply tune the strings to your desired song and begin strumming. Although the process may appear straightforward, mastery requires time and practice to truly perfect. To maintain its condition properly, be sure to regularly inspect its strings, tuning pegs, fretboard and fifth string for wear or damage as well as clean and lubricate these areas; if unsure how best to manage this aspect of its care please seek professional guidance from a banjo player.
Old Time
The old time banjo has long been an American music staple, often found playing bluegrass but also found across genres such as Country and Rock music. It boasts its own distinct sound that sets it apart from other instruments; more melody-oriented than chordal, the old time banjo uses plectrum or finger for playing and usually tuned one fifth higher than modern five string banjos.
Banjos were popular instruments among slaves in the South, with one painting showing an enslaved person playing an instrument similar to one dating back to 1785. These gourd-bodied banjos typically contained four to six strings.
Joel Sweeney (1810-1860), a blackface minstrel performer, is widely recognized for being instrumental in developing the modern five string banjo and popularizing clawhammer picking as a playing style. There were other styles prevalent at that time and each region may have had its own versions known by various names.
Jazz
Jazz music is an artform that requires great improvisation, yet is highly collaborative in nature. Although its leader often takes center stage, all members should make contributions that contribute to reaching its overall musical goal; hence why the resonator banjo has become such a beloved instrument within jazz circles.
Resonator banjos feature a metal resonator to project their sound forward and are therefore ideal for bluegrass and country music that often takes place at large venues with many listeners in attendance. Open back banjos may still produce loud sound but will not project as effectively.
Before selecting the ideal banjo for yourself, it is essential to understand the differences between resonator and open back banjos. An open back will be quieter due to volume being absorbed by its body; an resonator banjo will produce louder sound with each playback of an instrument.