Originally posted Oct 31 2014 9:10 AM. Banjolins today are supposed to have four strings instead of 8 strings (in courses or pairs). Question #138004. Many players embrace clawhammer style, Flatpicking technique, and fingerstyle. So, to clear up the confusion surrounding the topic we look at the the four common types of banjos, how many strings they have, and what music styles they lend themselves too! Eight strings provides a perfect balance to accompany many different songs and produce a distinctive sound. they were from England, more than 200 years earlier This creates a sense of harmony throughout the instrument. The 5 string banjo is by far the most common, but the 6 string has been gaining popularity as an alternative to the guitar. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. With time and extensive practice, you will master the art of moving your thumb as you play your favorite tunes. That said, the modern successor to Sweeney’s 5-string banjo is by far the most popular type today.There are both open-back and resonator-equipped versions of most of the more common banjo types. You will also see the 17 fret tenor banjos tuned an octave below normal, being a G-D-A-E. Want to know more? For that reason, most banjo factories called them "regular banjos" to distinguish them from some of the newer types. Nylon Strings – Used on banjo varieties such as the ukuleles. How To Change Your Banjo Strings Changing your banjo strings is one of the easiest and best ways to bring the tone of your banjo back to life. Resonator banjos have a plate that’s fastened to the back of the body, or the “pot” as it sometimes called. Step 1: Remove old string - when re-stringing a banjo, you can save yourself some later readjustments by changing only one string at a time. Unlike the 5 string banjo in which you just learn 3 chords and a finger picking style and you are on your way, six string banjos have that traditional banjo sound but are tuned like a guitar. You have to use your thumb to pluck this string and create a better sound. Unlike a guitar, that has 6 strings, or a ukulele, mandolin, or fiddle, all of which have four strings, the number of strings on a banjo is not always constant. 5 What best describes the song that Cecil Sharp had found when he came to America? Nickel-plated Steel – It’s an outstanding string for bluegrass banjo and creates a bright and clear tone when picked as well as offers strong projection. Whether you like playing a four-string, five-string, or a six-string banjo, there are notable string materials that make your banjo a complete instrument. A 4 string plectrum is very similar to a 5 string banjo without the drone string. The other common size tenor banjo is the 19 fret instrument. It is said the first tenor banjos were created for violin players who wanted something they could play in popular bands that wouldn’t accept violin players. The thumb rests on the fifth string and uses a heavy downpick motion with a lighter up-pick which makes the distinctive clawhammer sound. Illogical as it may seem, the five string banjo is the first banjo style which developed as the banjo came of age in the 19th century. Other instruments under the four-string category include the tenor banjo and the plectrum banjo. Tuning in unison means that each pair of strings is treated as the same for tuning purposes. The key feature that makes a four-string banjo different from other banjos is the fact that you will be playing a smaller banjo in terms of the sound produced. 6 string banjos are real banjos - period. It doesn’t matter whether you are an experienced banjo player or pursuing beginner lessons. If you want to start playing banjo, the 5-string banjo is a widely popular option with great instrument options, plenty of materials to help you learn, and the authentic banjo sound. On the other hand, what do you know about a banjo? The 5th string ends in a tuning peg on the side of the instrument. You can tune your four-string banjo in several ways, a unique feature that makes this banjo stand out. Tenor & 4-Stringed Banjos: These banjos have four strings and a shorter neck than the more common 5-stringed banjo. With the right size you will have greater control over the banjo and be able to add or subtract strings as you play. Privacy Policy | Contact StringVibe | Top 50. Shezan Shaikh answered. It fits perfectly into bluegrass, Folk, Jazz, Country, Irish, and Indie music genres played these days globally. The 2nd most common tuning is that of the highest four strings on a guitar, D-G-B-E. What's the difference between a banjo player & a locksmith? That being said, Louis Armstrong famously had a six string banjo in his band for many years. Last updated Oct 31 2014. This would be ideal for someone who already knows how to play a guitar, but wants the tone quality of a banjo. The 4 string tenor and plectrum banjos are not as popular, but definitely have their place in music. A “plectrum” is another word for a flat pick, so these banjos were called plectrum banjos to distinguish them from their five string counterparts, which are normally picked. In order to learn how to play the banjo, you should definitely start with a good set of six string acoustic banjos for beginners. Not necessarily. With this in mind, here is what you need to know. Styles of playing the banjo have also evolved, and you can these days quickly learn how to play this instrument stress-free. They have been around for over 100 years and have been used in some of the greatest recordings in American music history. The 10 Types of Banjos You can Choose From, How to Play the Banjo: 5 Tips for Every Beginner, Earl Scruggs and the 5-String Banjo: Revised and Enhanced Edition. The banjo is a fun and very versatile instrument. 5-Strings: A 5-string banjo has a longer neck and five strings, one of which is called the drone string. The strings are all tuned in unison. For those times when you want to have real flair and stand out, there is nothing like a 6-string banjo. The 6-string banjo is basically a guitar that is in the shape of a banjo. Banjos are commonly found with 4, 5, or 6 strings. Borntobanjo.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. It is an excellent choice for players yearning for a sound close to traditional gut strings. The 5-string variety is the most popular type of banjo you should know.