Learning to play the banjo is more than just learning to pluck a few notes on the strings. You have to choose the right banjo for the kind of music you want to ultimately play. There are 4-string tenor banjos and 6-string banjitars as well as the common 5-string banjo. There are other considerations before you begin your banjo playing, too. We've helped cover all the steps you'll need to take before you start learning the banjo.
Choosing the Right Banjo
The first choice you'll have to make as a new banjo player is the type of banjo you want to play. This will be determined based on the style of music you want to play as well as how much experience you've had with stringed instruments.
For example, a guitar player might want to stay with
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There are tenor or plectrum banjos, and your choice will depend on the style that you'd like to play as you get learn and advance on the instrument.
The 5-string banjo is the most popular of all the string types. It's used in bluegrass or folk music, and some of your favorite folk songs are created using a 5-string banjo.
Open Back or Resonator
The backing of the banjo will help to produce certain tones when playing the instrument. A resonator will project the sound forward towards the audience, and that gives it a punchier sound. A softer tone is created with an open-back banjo. Beginners might want to start with an open-back style because it's lighter as well as being softer. When you're not that good of a player yet, a loud banjo can be disturbing for everyone around you.
Action, Scale, and Tuning
The action is the distance of the strings in relation to the fingerboard of the instrument. The scale is the distance in length from the bridge to the nuts at the top of the banjo. Low action banjos make it easier for beginners since you don't have to press down as hard on the strings. The scale of each banjo will differ from 23 inches to 32 inches. The average size is around 26 1/4” and that's a good starter banjo for