Although purchasing a banjo appears to be simple, there are several different types of banjos available, including four-string, five-string, and six-string banjos. Banjos with 17 or 19 frets are also available. The sizes vary a lot as well. When purchasing a banjo, consider the type of music you want to play, the size of the banjo you want, and the skill level of the person who will be playing it.
Bluegrass and finger-picking styles, which require more skill than other styles, traditionally use a five-string banjo. Four-string banjos are most commonly found in music that calls for strumming, such as Dixieland jazz. A six-string banjo is essentially a guitar shaped like a banjo. People who want to learn to play a specific style of banjo should look for banjos made specifically for that style. Because it is nearly identical to the guitar, a person who can already play the guitar may enjoy the feel of the six-string banjo.
When purchasing a banjo, one must choose between an open-back and a resonator model. Because of its appearance, inexperienced players tend to gravitate toward the resonator banjo. The back of a traditional bluegrass banjo is open. There is nothing attached to the back portion of the instrument with an open back. This results in a soothing tone. These banjos are also less heavy than resonator banjos, making them ideal for beginners.
It’s mostly a matter of personal taste when it comes to choosing between these styles. If you want to play a resonator banjo, it’s best to get one with a detachable back. This allows the player to experiment with the banjo in both directions.
Although most people will consider price, it should not be the deciding factor. The cheapest banjo isn’t always the best, and the most expensive banjo isn’t always the best. Instead, consider the price and compare the features to those of other similar products. Pick up the banjo and hold it in your hands as if you’re about to play it. It should be simple and natural to strumming and moving between frets.
The hands should be able to move around the frets without too much difficulty. If you know any chords or strumming patterns, you should play the banjo before buying it. The player can get a sense of the overall sound this way. A banjo with a poor sound will not be played as much as one with a good sound. It’s possible that purchasing a banjo without first playing it is a mistake.