Simple Banjo Playing Tips

Banjo playing, in this lesson it is based on the five-string instrument. The difference in this five string banjo is the 5th string, it is very short compared to the other strings. Note that the 5th tuning peg is about in the middle of the neck. The characteristics of the 5th string banjo is it's pitch. It is much higher then the other four strings.

The 4th string has the lowest pitch and when playing the instrument the contrast between the, 5th and 4th strings sound just great to the ears. The fingers are normally used when playing this five string instrument.

The Tenor and Plectrum banjo explained

Popular In Dixieland, Traditional type jazz music the four stringed instrument was normally used. The four stringed banjo is played with a pick. The Tenor and plectrum instruments used various tunings and had different playing techniques.

Parts of the Banjo

The characteristics of banjos are the plastic or animal skin that give a resonating sound to the instrument. This kin/plastic is stretched across the body and held in place by nuts, screws brackets and rods.

The G Tuning for 5 string Banjo playing

The 5th string is G

The 4th string is D

The 3rd string is G

The 2nd string is B

The 1st string is D

In this G tuning all the notes belong to the basic G chord, so playing across the open strings gives us the G triad. Tuning the instrument requires a bit of practice, if you have a pitch pipe, piano or electric tuner, tune the open string to:

1st open string tuned to D-a tone up from middle C

2nd open string to B- a semitone down from middle C

3rd open string to G- down a 4th down from middle C

4th open string to D- a minor 7th down from middle C

5th open string to G- up a per 5th from middle C

Relative tuning for Banjo Playing:

Start with the 4th string, 5th fret and match it to the 3rd open string.

Check the notes are the strings in tune? if the 3rd string sounds sharp to the fourth string 5th fret, turn the peg clock-wise to match the 4th string that you are tuning to.If the string sounds flat to the 4th string turn the peg in an anti clock-wise direction and pitch it right. Do the same for the rest of the strings

Play the 3rd string at the 4th fret and match it to the 2nd open string.

Play the 2nd string at the 3rd fret and match it to the 1st open string.

Play the 1st string at the 5th fret and match it to the 5th open string,

When relative tuning is used always listen for the beats between the notes.

When two strings are not in tune there will be very strong fluctuations between the two strings. When the strings are in tune there will be no fluctuations between the strings.

Chords for Banjo Playing finale

click to download Banjo Chords pdf file

In measures 1, 2 and 3, D7,C and G chords are written for you to view and learn the tabs and fingerings that are used.

T= is for Thumb

i= is for index finger

m= is for middle finger

Reading Banjo Tabs for G Tuning

Ref: measure 4 of pdf file

1st open string, 1st tab line=D

2nd open string, 2nd tab line=B

3rd open string, 3rd tab line=G

4th open string, 4th tab line=D

5th open string, 5th tab line=G

In measure 5 we have an outline of a C chord, the first note is a G note, pick the 3rd open string G note with the thumb in a downward manner and follow up using the fingers (t,i,m,) in a claw like manner to pluck the 1st string E note 2nd fret, 2nd string C note and 5th open string G note simultaneously to get the C chord.

In measure 6 and 7 the signs indicates that we would have to repeat the former measure.

In measure 8 we have a D7 chord with the thumb pick the 3rd string, 2nd fret for the A note,then using fingers t,i,m, pluck the 1st open string D note ,2nd string 1st fret C and 5th open sting for the D7 chord and repeat the same thing for two measures.

Measure 11 is a G chord, with the thumb pick the 3rd open string G and approach the 1st open string D, 2nd open string B, and 5th string G note in the same manner to get the remaining notes. These tabs are very basic and helpful to guitar players and of course beginners who aspire to have a start in banjo playing.

Summary of Banjo PlayingThe four string banjo instrument is much used in the dixieland bands and the five string banjo is popular with bluegrass playing. Learn the basic chords of D7, C and G andlearn to transpose the notes on the other strings. The positions and frets should be memorized and the G tuning must be learn t by heart.

There is another interesting instrument called the Ukulele and we will now proceed to this lesson on the Ukulele

click to go to Ukulele

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