Are you in love with the sound of the classical banjos? Learning the favourite Celtic r folk Banjo music of yours can be relatively fun and easy with practice. So, learn to play the instrument yourself & enjoy the unique sound of it whenever you want.
How to play banjo?
First step: turn the Banjo
Before you start playing the banjo, you have to make sure that it’s in tune. You need to twist the Turner knobs of the banjo that are at the headstock. Doing this changes the length & tension of the banjo’s string. It can alter the sound. The shorter and tighter the strings, the higher will be the pitch & vice versa.
- You can use one electric tuner. Banjos need a chromatic tuner. But the electric ones are easier to purchase from local music supply stores or order online.
- If you have got a keyboard or a piano, try playing the key on the string’s piano you are tuning & twist the tuner in a counterclockwise direction if it’s flat & clockwise if it’s sharp. It might be a bit difficult for beginners as they will be playing essentially by ear. Although, It may help them to know the kind of sound the banjo will make when it’s both in & out of tune.
- For a 5-string banjo, the most common tuning is Open G.
- For a plectrum banjo, the most common tuning is CGBD
- For a tenor banjo, the most common tunings are CGDA or GDAE
- Use one online banjo tuner for hearing what all these sound like.
Second step: adjust your body
You need to have the perfect posture before you start playing the banjo. If you sit in the wrong pose, it will alter your music sound great, increase the difficulty & it will be more likely for you to hurt yourself.
- Try keeping the shoulders of your up & back always, without slouching. It applies both times while you are standing or sitting.
- Try holding the banjo at an angle of 45 degrees or higher. Most players are seen to hold the neck of the Banjo at what’s called the one-o-clock or 11 positions. In this position, the bottom side remains perpendicular to the ground. Also, it can be rotated slightly upward, so that you can see the strings.
- Now be careful and don’t grip the neck of the instrument too tightly as, unlike guitars, banjos have quite a sensitive neck. If you hold it too tight, it will make the notes of yours out of tune.
- Try using a banjo strap. A banjo is very heavy & often includes longer necks as compared to guitars. The strap will help you carry the banjo’s weight. If the left thumb or hand of yours is busy supporting your banjo’s weight, you will face difficulty to fret the banjo correctly & it will try to slide away forever.
I own a music instruments shop. My go to instrument is a banjo. My business makes it easier for me to access the instruments from various brands and of various types. I will give my honest opinion here to help out others in choosing the right instrument for them.
