Difference between revisions of "Play a Banjo"
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| − | + | Do you love the bluesy sound of a classic banjo? Learning your favorite folk or even Celtic banjo music can be fun and relatively easy with practice. Learn how to play the banjo yourself and enjoy its unique sound whenever you want. | |
[[Category:Banjo]] | [[Category:Banjo]] | ||
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#*Open-back banjos are most often used by beginners, as they are typically the cheapest option and not as loud. Since they are lighter and quieter, they are often a good choice for learning and practicing. Some traditional banjo songs and playing-styles favor open-back banjos. If you want to play in a bluegrass band, however, an open-back banjo may not be the best choice. | #*Open-back banjos are most often used by beginners, as they are typically the cheapest option and not as loud. Since they are lighter and quieter, they are often a good choice for learning and practicing. Some traditional banjo songs and playing-styles favor open-back banjos. If you want to play in a bluegrass band, however, an open-back banjo may not be the best choice. | ||
#*Banjos with a resonator produce a louder, fuller sound, with longer sustain, but are heavier and more expensive. If you are ready and willing to commit to playing the banjo for a long time, you may consider investing in a resonator banjo. | #*Banjos with a resonator produce a louder, fuller sound, with longer sustain, but are heavier and more expensive. If you are ready and willing to commit to playing the banjo for a long time, you may consider investing in a resonator banjo. | ||
| − | #*It is said that the heavier a banjo is, the better the quality of the instrument. However, don’t let that deter you from selecting a banjo that might be lighter.<ref>http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/choosing-a-resonator-or-openback-banjo.html</ref> | + | #*It is said that the heavier a banjo is, the better the quality of the instrument. However, don’t let that deter you from selecting a banjo that might be lighter.<ref name="rf1">http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/choosing-a-resonator-or-openback-banjo.html</ref> |
#Find the best action and scale for you. The action of the banjo is the distance of the strings to the fingerboard, while the scale is the total length of the strings from the nut to the bridge. | #Find the best action and scale for you. The action of the banjo is the distance of the strings to the fingerboard, while the scale is the total length of the strings from the nut to the bridge. | ||
#*Choose a banjo with a low action to make playing easier. If the action is too high, you will have to press down on the strings which can push the notes out of tune and put uncomfortable pressure on your fingers. | #*Choose a banjo with a low action to make playing easier. If the action is too high, you will have to press down on the strings which can push the notes out of tune and put uncomfortable pressure on your fingers. | ||
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#*'''For tenor banjo''': the most common tunings are ''GDAE'' or ''CGDA''. | #*'''For tenor banjo''': the most common tunings are ''GDAE'' or ''CGDA''. | ||
#*'''For plectrum banjo''': the most common tuning is ''CGBD'' | #*'''For plectrum banjo''': the most common tuning is ''CGBD'' | ||
| − | #*Use an online banjo tuner to hear what these sound like.<ref>http://www.get-tuned.com/banjo_tuning_methods.php</ref> | + | #*Use an online banjo tuner to hear what these sound like.<ref name="rf2">http://www.get-tuned.com/banjo_tuning_methods.php</ref> |
#Adjust your body. It is very important that you have the correct posture before playing the banjo. Sitting in the wrong pose can greatly alter the sound of your music, increase the difficulty, and make it more likely that you will hurt yourself. | #Adjust your body. It is very important that you have the correct posture before playing the banjo. Sitting in the wrong pose can greatly alter the sound of your music, increase the difficulty, and make it more likely that you will hurt yourself. | ||
#*Always keep your shoulders up and back, without slouching. This applies if you are sitting or standing. | #*Always keep your shoulders up and back, without slouching. This applies if you are sitting or standing. | ||
#*Hold the banjo at a 45 degree angle or higher (many players hold the neck at what is called the eleven, or one-o-clock position, as shown in section 8 below), with the bottom-side being perpendicular to the ground, or slightly rotated upward so you can clearly see the strings. | #*Hold the banjo at a 45 degree angle or higher (many players hold the neck at what is called the eleven, or one-o-clock position, as shown in section 8 below), with the bottom-side being perpendicular to the ground, or slightly rotated upward so you can clearly see the strings. | ||
| − | #*Be careful not to grip the neck too tight because unlike a guitar, a banjo has a rather sensitive neck. Holding it too tight can make your notes go out of tune.<ref>http://dannybarnes.com/blog/how-play-banjo-parts-i-ii-and-iii</ref> | + | #*Be careful not to grip the neck too tight because unlike a guitar, a banjo has a rather sensitive neck. Holding it too tight can make your notes go out of tune.<ref name="rf3">http://dannybarnes.com/blog/how-play-banjo-parts-i-ii-and-iii</ref> |
#* Use a banjo strap. Banjos are heavy and often have longer necks than guitars. You want the strap to carry the weight of the banjo. If your left hand or thumb is busy supporting the weight of the banjo, you will find it difficult to correctly fret the instrument, and it will be forever trying to slide away from you. | #* Use a banjo strap. Banjos are heavy and often have longer necks than guitars. You want the strap to carry the weight of the banjo. If your left hand or thumb is busy supporting the weight of the banjo, you will find it difficult to correctly fret the instrument, and it will be forever trying to slide away from you. | ||
#Get your hands in the right place. Your right hand should be resting above the strings near the bridge, while your left hand is holding the neck. | #Get your hands in the right place. Your right hand should be resting above the strings near the bridge, while your left hand is holding the neck. | ||
#*Your pinky and ring finger on your right hand should be resting against the head of the banjo, just past the first string. If you have difficulty keeping them there while you play, try adding a piece of double-stick tape to help hold your fingers in place. | #*Your pinky and ring finger on your right hand should be resting against the head of the banjo, just past the first string. If you have difficulty keeping them there while you play, try adding a piece of double-stick tape to help hold your fingers in place. | ||
| − | #*The image above shows left-hand placement for guitars. The weight of a banjo should be carried by the strap- not by your thumb. A banjo neck should maintain its position when you release both of your hands. Keep your thumb straight and positioned on the 'crown' of the backside of the neck, then reach your fingers around to the fingerboard on the front. Hold this position of your wrist while you play.<ref>http://www.bluegrassbanjo.org/begin1.html</ref> | + | #*The image above shows left-hand placement for guitars. The weight of a banjo should be carried by the strap- not by your thumb. A banjo neck should maintain its position when you release both of your hands. Keep your thumb straight and positioned on the 'crown' of the backside of the neck, then reach your fingers around to the fingerboard on the front. Hold this position of your wrist while you play.<ref name="rf4">http://www.bluegrassbanjo.org/begin1.html</ref> |
#Learn how to pick. When you pick at the strings using bluegrass style, sweep your fingers downwards using your nail or pick to pluck the strings. For a banjo, you will generally use your thumb, index, and middle finger for picking. Some people pluck with all three fingers (except the pinky), but this is considered an advanced technique that you may keep in mind for the future. Your ring and/or pinky finger should remain on the head of the banjo. | #Learn how to pick. When you pick at the strings using bluegrass style, sweep your fingers downwards using your nail or pick to pluck the strings. For a banjo, you will generally use your thumb, index, and middle finger for picking. Some people pluck with all three fingers (except the pinky), but this is considered an advanced technique that you may keep in mind for the future. Your ring and/or pinky finger should remain on the head of the banjo. | ||
#*You can buy finger picks to slide on the tips of your fingers. They are like metal guitar picks with rings attached that you slide onto the ends of your plucking fingers, and are responsible for creating a louder sound. | #*You can buy finger picks to slide on the tips of your fingers. They are like metal guitar picks with rings attached that you slide onto the ends of your plucking fingers, and are responsible for creating a louder sound. | ||
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#*A forward roll is the most basic, and is played by hitting the strings in this order: 5-3-1-5-3-1-5-3. The numbers refer to the string: fifth string, third string, and first string. You see that there are eight notes to be played, so that the roll takes up exactly one measure of music. | #*A forward roll is the most basic, and is played by hitting the strings in this order: 5-3-1-5-3-1-5-3. The numbers refer to the string: fifth string, third string, and first string. You see that there are eight notes to be played, so that the roll takes up exactly one measure of music. | ||
#*Once you have learned a basic roll, work your way up into more difficult rolls to practice your picking and timing. | #*Once you have learned a basic roll, work your way up into more difficult rolls to practice your picking and timing. | ||
| − | #Practice your rhythm. Although you might have some rolls down, keeping time while playing them for an extended period can be very difficult. Practice your timing by using a metronome. A metronome is a gadget that emits electronic clicking noises at a certain, consistent rate. Have one going while you practice so that you can rate yourself based on the metronome’s timing.<ref | + | #Practice your rhythm. Although you might have some rolls down, keeping time while playing them for an extended period can be very difficult. Practice your timing by using a metronome. A metronome is a gadget that emits electronic clicking noises at a certain, consistent rate. Have one going while you practice so that you can rate yourself based on the metronome’s timing.<ref name="rf3" /> |
#Learn more advanced music. Once you feel you know several rolls, have your timing and rhythm down, and are ready to move forward, look into learning some songs. It may take a few weeks of practicing before you play anything recognizable, but don’t let that discourage you. | #Learn more advanced music. Once you feel you know several rolls, have your timing and rhythm down, and are ready to move forward, look into learning some songs. It may take a few weeks of practicing before you play anything recognizable, but don’t let that discourage you. | ||
#*Look up famous banjo songs online to learn how to play them. Many music books are also available which teach you how to master some basic songs. | #*Look up famous banjo songs online to learn how to play them. Many music books are also available which teach you how to master some basic songs. | ||
