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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2024
- There is no reason that you can't play a 6 string banjo like a guitar - within limits. If you want to play Bluegrass, get a 5 string instrument made for that style. If you are a guitar player, and want to get a banjo sound with little to no learning curve, watch this.
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David, I am 78 years old and started the guitar about 3 years ago. I have always enjoyed banjo music. At my age it would be very difficult to learn to play a regular banjo. With this video I feel confident that with even my limited capabilities, I will be able to enjoy my Deering R6-6 string banjo. Thank you.
Heres my advice, Video was great. The 6 string banjo is an instrument in its own right. I play both 5 string and 6 and each have there own unique quality. Nothing wrong with either one. an instrument is for pleasure, if you are not having fun with it. change your instrument. thanks
Unlike the 5 String Banjo you can play in every key w/o re-tuning and you can use your Guitar capo too, and any type of String:th-cam.com/video/DJv6PtwalgY/w-d-xo.html
As a musician I primarily played guitar, but when I wanted to try banjo I went for a five string. I was somewhat worried that the learning curve would be difficult, but what I think I failed to understand is that the banjo is very easy. If you’ve played any finger style guitar, that knowledge and muscle ability transfers over very well, and you get to play all the classics with an accurate sound. The five string banjo is basically as difficult as a ukulele but with an extra string you occasionally pluck but almost never fret. In my opinion, I would just take a week to play with finger picks on a real 5 string banjo and follow Jim Pankies tutorials on TH-cam. I’m playing real bluegrass with 6 days worth of banjo experience and it’s exhilarating!
Scruggs style picking is NOTHING like any sort of fingerstyle guitar. I'm a pretty decent travis picker but bluegrass picking with the syncopation is nothing like it. The only thing that translates is your ability to fret notes. I Highly doubt you were playing proper bluegrass after 6 days.
I am a guitar player. I love the sound of banjo. So I bought a beautiful Dean Banjitar, that is a six string guitar banjo. To be honest it almost made me crazy until a few weeks ago.
It can't be played like a banjo. Indvidual notes have the banjo flavor yes, but that's about it.
Dave Thomas is right. There's no drone string. Another thing is the excesive resonation which makes strumming sound just...horrible.
Claw hammer sounds a bit better so.. within reason you can try some chords with the usual Chick-a-Boom pattern. Do not expect the real Banjo sound to fluorish from this..
But then, after some weeks of frustration I forgot about playing it like a Banjo and commited myself to do something creative and out of the box with it.
Getting advices from here and there I..
1) Took away the resonator
2) Used a capo (3rd or 5th fret)
3) Forgot about Banjo picks and used a regular guitar pick
4) Experimented a bit with a very slight palm muting when I felt the sound was too overwhelming
4),,, played some exotic scales (gipsy, Japanese In Sen and so on) to make the instrument something more like an arabic Oud or Turkish Cumbus which is similar to a banjo.
So now I have made this contraption something useful and enjoyable.
Mr Thomas here is most right about not playing it like a banjo. My next move is buying a Banjo, meanwhile I finnally can have fun with this instrument.
Hope this helps six string banjo owners...
Very helpful comment! Cool story! I bought one of these a month ago and every time a try to play an open chord I wanna vomit! You seem like a very classy and cultured person. Keep sharing your experiences!
I had a whole new world open up to me when someone pointed out that you don't have to put guitar gauge strings on my banjitar. I replaced the standard gauged E and A strings with D(.032) and G(.024) strings, tuned the whole thing down a half step, and it sounds fantastic. Been playing it for 13 years, and I feel like I have a new instrument now.
Put a small towel under the head to smooth out the overtones....it will help.
Any advice is welcome, I also find out for myself to use the capo on the 3rd or 5th fret, sound more banjo like, now I try the advice of mr. Thomas.
There's an old banjo strumming style used in New Orleans jazz and vaudeville: it's played on a 4 string banjo tuned to fifths(CGDA) or an open C ninth(CGBD), or occasionally the top 4 of a guitar(DGBE). To get around the lack of sustain and crashy sound that makes strumming sound weird, we use a lot of tremolo and top string glissando. Eddie Peabody and Roy Smeck are some old vaudevillians that played like this; Don Vappie and Eddy Davis(RIP) are modern hot jazz players that use the style. Might be worth a try if you want to strum the banjo.
Just found this video and enjoyed a heaping helping of common sense from this guy. Thanks for posting this. My Gold Tone GT-750 used banjatar arrived today. Looking forward to Praising the Lord at church with my new banjo like sounds.
The Banjitar is also a 6 String variant of its 4 String Cousin the Plectrum Banjo.
Unlike the 5 String Banjo, you can play in every key w/o re-tuning and you can use a Guitar capo too:th-cam.com/video/DJv6PtwalgY/w-d-xo.html
Sir, let me congratulate to your German Framus Banjo. However, Framus is not out of business, Sir. They are actually share there production line with Warwick. I own several Framus guitars from 2003, 2007 and 2012. I just bought the very same Banjo you have, so i am quite happy to learn from your experiences with it. Great Video, thanks a lot. But please don't says that this great German guitar company is out of business.
Thanks for the video, lots of useful information. I just picked up a Framus 6 sting banjo from an Auction and was just curious of how well it will work for my purposes and your video confirmed my impressions of the instrument. The purists out there refer to them as cheap junk but I think its a well built instrument and a good deal for the money if you can find one. I'm mainly a 6 string acoustic player and have been playing since a kid but like the sound of a banjo but not sure I want to learn a 5 string. I'm learning the idiosyncrasies of the 6 string banjo and they are fun to play with. The 6 string banjo is great for old time guitar hacks like myself and looking forward to adding the sound to our local jam sessions. Thanks again!
Very informative! Thnx.
Thank you very informative, and honest, I try to play 5 string because I love the sound but like more guitar music bordering on classical played on banjo , so just thinking of buying a guitar , but may now look at a six string banjo
Nice sound !!!
I'm a guitar player and now I have a 6 strings Banjo to add more styles of music in my band.
Thanks Sir for all this information.😊👍🏻
Would u consider posting a video showing some close up angles of ur hand playing ur roll pattern? Great work thanks for all the info!!
Must be the crowds I hang with .
Guitar players wanting painless kinda sorta Banjo = zero .
5 string Banjo players wanting to adapt Banjo skills ( including finger picks ) to basic rhythm guitar = A couple of them .
Hi Filiana! That's probably because you hang out with genetically superior people. On the other hand you may want to give this a listen...
th-cam.com/video/1WeoOKg1bMg/w-d-xo.html
Great review, I was liking the Luna , but worried about the quality. Subscribed. 😊
Taylor Swift and Keith Urban use a Magnetic Pickup on a Banjitar & it actually sounds like an Amplified Banjo when recording.
IntlPlaza
I use Argentine Gypsy Jazz Light Gauge Strings (also Rouxinol R-30 Strings w/ a Wound B String) which are IIRC I think they're Copper w/ a Silver Plating so they're not going to be as bright as Bronze strings. It's more of a Gypsy Jazz Sound.
Thank you, Dave Thomas, this is what I need to know, Hi form the Netherlands.
Hi Josephine! Here's a song you may like:
th-cam.com/video/1WeoOKg1bMg/w-d-xo.html
@UC8UuVSSBWip84pLO1ljGHeg
Acoustic Strings on a Banjitar sound ok for something like Solo Classical Repritore. Electric Strings are great for Rock, Pop, you name it. A pickup for Banjitar is great for recording cause it eliminates background noise.
Great video! You mentioned making the video because it was hard to find more info about the banjo/guitar (banguitar) on TH-cam. I would suggest placing the words "banguitar" in your video title or description to make it easier for your viewers to find this great video. It didn't show up on Google until I put in banjo guitar. :-)
What's really neat about a Banjitar is that it's fully Chromatic. Unlike the 5 String Banjo, you can play in every key without re-tuning, & you can even use your Guitar capo with it too.
Amazing Video and very helpfull. I just bought a cheap 6 string banjo and you are right, the sound is awfull. cheap banjos should be forbidden! But to get an impression of what could be possible on a 6 string banjo, its just good enough. Think, I`ll get me a nother one more expensive. Thanks for your infos on strings and bridge. Keep on plucking:)
Anyone who says "you can't" is full of shit,most likely "they can't".play what you like on whatever you like,the difference is "can you do it right",you can play rock on any banjo,4,5 or 6 string ,i have 5 and 6 string banjos,12 string guitar ,2 classicals,3 6 string acoustics,5 electrics,a P bass,a freakin keyboard,harmonica(can't find it,tenor sax.
Hayseed dixie play queen to ACDC for F sake,plus traditional country,blue grass.....probably smoke grass too.
Good video, very informative...My 6 string banjo is the Dean Backwoods model. I have it strung with lighter gauge strings (.026 and .018) on the low E and A strings. This helps to give it a more unique sound. I have also added a stick on pickup on the back side of the head. This works well except I have to be careful about feedback. Anyway, this set up meets my needs, especially during the country jam session I attend. With 6 or 8 acoustic guitars, my finger picking style stands out nicely...
You have included everything one could want to know about 6 string banjo in this video, short of picking up one and playing it. Thanks, very informative and helpful!
9:49 The other day you called Elixir, they told ya that their Electric Guitar Strings & Banjo strings are Identical in Material (Nickel Plated Steel), so Electric Guitar Strings will give you a "True Banjo sound". Some guys prefer Acoustic Strings because they want a Darker Sound than a Banjo.
Hello David, I enjoyed your detailed video here. Very informative, and straightforward. Having bought a Goldtone GT 750 six string banjatar about twenty years ago, I was never comfortable with the sound as it did not sound bright enough. A few years back I did purchase a used five string banjo and liked the authentic sound. I am going to string the Goldtone with "Nashville Tuning" and see if that helps. Thank you again.
String it up and play it in Nashville Tuneing and tell me what you think.
The Piezo Pickup makes the Banjitar sound natural when plugged in because it's picking the vibrations up from the Head.
your title just answered the only question i had for this instrument.
i have one ... my parents bought it before i was born .. never used it ... can some one show me a beginner lessons or how to tune it or a guide to use it ? plz :)
Omomario It's not that hard to use a TH-cam or Google search bar to find answers to your questions.
Good video, with good information. I have a 6-string banjo as well and am beginning to use it more -and for more song arrangements as time goes on. I play mostly the old country western and sing-along tunes. I'm not originally a 6-string banjo or guitar player(although I do play both now). I started out with accordion.
The Banjitar is the cousin of the Plectrum Banjo (and Tenor Banjo too) because they don't have a Drone String & are usually played with a Pick. It has the Strumming Banjo sound that you might recognise from Dixieland Jazz. The reason they leave off the Drone String is because it's to facilitate playing Full Chords with the Horns.
really useful, mister, very thanks!
Nice advice. Much appreciated.
I play DADGAD a lot on guitar and as I've just bought a 6 string banjo I'm going to explore playing in different keys. DADGAD has a droning string which may sound interesting.
Although i can actually play a real banjo , ive been considering the option of a banjo guitar more and more , Framus makes very good instruments , old German company !! Surprisingly Guitar Banjos are considered staple instruments in alot of Middle Eastern and North African Folk music ... Most of the old Rai bands ive seen use Framus banjos , as they lend themselves well to solo styles /Oud style melody's rather than strumming . Nice presentation !
i play both, the chords DO sound the same, they're just fingered different, they're not that different, only the high string is normally different other than the drone string
+wbwillie also, framus are made by the same company as warwick basses in Germany
Old Crow Medicine Show use both 5 and 6 string banjos on the same tunes. Sounds great.
Denis Morton yeah but even Kevin Hayes from OCMS would tell you he’s essentially playing a guitar.
Actually, Celtic punk rock bands like dropkick murphys and flogging molly use banjos, accordions, mandolins, and bagpipes. Canadian Celtic rock bands such as Jubilee riots (enter the haggis) are the same way. Swedish rock bands like Baskery are the same way.
My banjuitar is a Harley Bantan, 6 string. Looks the same as my 5th string banjo, exept the strings,.. of course. 120 euro.. very heavy and loud. And i'm here to learn how to sound more "banjo", like. I play finger picking on guitar without pick. So I hope to find here some idea's.
The 6 strings banjo is largely utilized in Algerian Chaabi (popular music)
Wow. Can you share a link? @Kadaenia Enia
The Christian band Crowder use a 6-string banjo in their performance. Sound is great.
Awesome video! I'm buying one.
What if Acoustic Guitars had adjustable bridges like Electric Guitars did? That would be a fantastic upgrade.
Dave, thanks for taking the time to share this info. :)
5 string gang
A 6 sixtring bassguitar is still a bassguitar...:-) saw a banjo guitar today in a shop...sounded great.
Thanks for the informative video. I think you have achieved your purpose with it!
I have a 6 string banjo and want to get a song book to learn chords and play songs. Any suggestions?
I figured it all out, any Guitar method will work because they're tuned the same way.
What song were you playing at 4:09?? It sounds beautiful. Thank you for this video!!
Hi Nick, that was the intro to Mr. Bojangles.
bubba bobob Thank you!!
Thank you thank you thank you. How refreshing! A clip that is well thought it out and prepared. You gave the information that one would need in the exact perfect order. And, without mistakes and babbling and silliness.Thank you thank you thank you
If I were to tune it in 5ths like a viola or violin would I have to put different gauge strings on it?
keith richards guitar is banjo tuning. I want to play banjo-style guitar
Hello
Thanks for your very informative site.
I am left handed and have found a super right hand 6 string banjo. Is there any reason why I cannot flip the nut, bridge and guard.
The banjo is engraved like yours and is a German Hofner from the 70's.
Good left hand banjo's are hard to find.
Philip Virgin should be fine let me us know how it goes :)
That Wildwood Flower stirred my heart.
It's as if people have never heard of the Tenor and Plectrum banjo.
You can play Jazz, Ragtime, Blues...
All that goes great on a banjo of any sort.
Your video was pretty informative. I had considered trying a set of bronze tenor guitar strings out on my tenor banjo.
I already dialed in the amount of darkness to the sound of mine though and putting oh phospher bronze would throw it over the edge.
Also nickel plated strings just last longer.
Can’t play rock n roll on a banjo???? Never say never with music!
Well, in all fairness, I didn't say you can't, I just said it not real suitable for that task. I suppose you could play rock and roll on a tuba, if you want to
@@IntlPlaza Or even a flute, like the Jethro Tull band did! All of that aside, this is a great video. I've been thinking about getting one of these.
Thank you for the informative video Dave. I bought mine from a friend a couple of months ago and it does what it should. Sounds like a banjo and plays just like a guitar. Some songs are deadly on the banjo and others should be played on a guitar. A great review Dave! Nova Scotia loved it!!!
Thanks Dave I just picked up a 6 string Contessa Banjo with really bad strings. It's old and needs a little help but with your help I think I'll have some fun playing it. Aloha and thanks for the tips
yeswings
Electric Guitar Strings will work cause they're identical in material to Banjo Strings (Nickel Plated Steel).
I am looking at changing my Framus 6 string banjo head. I have the original Framus label head which means it is about 54 years old.. Has anybody changed the head and which head and size did you use. What ever help you can give me I have never done it so I don't want to order the wrong head.. thanks Also Mine doesn't have the string separator at the top and the A string hits the 6E string post and the B string hits the E string post. Any Ideas on where to get one of those.
I was intent on buying a 6 string banjo, my local guitar store only had 5 string options, I played around with those and fell in love. Ended up buying a 6 string and a 5 string online... someone hide my debit card
i have seen a Ganjo from Gear4music and people are giving it favorable reviews such as " better than expected" and it is only 149.99 pounds
I've played five-string Scruggs and old-time banjo for many years. The five-string banjo is a difficult folk instrument to learn. No kidding yourself on this. If you play fingerstyle guitar this will be a big help but not a real gauge of your outcome. I also have played guitar for over fifty years. Most musicians know to buy the best used five string you can find and afford. The metal and wood construction requires fine skills and materials. A good used five string will start around two grand. I make side money on players who know this and time goes by and the rust and dust build,{and space it takes up in a ladies mind!} I then make a fair offer. This player does well to communicate you can get the timber and fill in sound in a sting band setting; you cannot play higher level Scruggs or old time on a banjitar. Simple banjo rolls on a five string can really go along way; simple patterns and chords can sound great to a point. The special made, few hundred dollar banjo guitars can accomplish these limited parameters. I am taking on five Scruggs students this year and they are aware of the necessary time, desire and listening needed to play the five well. Good luck with either ways of an " only an American would develop such a silly diversion..."
I love Wendy’s!
aint the same person idiot
I have one of those Framus 6 strings, It have the original head. it is a 1968 so the head is close to 54 for years old. So what would be the right size head for this banjo.
I have a Dean banjitar that I enjoy playing because I've always used banjo style finger-picking & I didn't want to start over in 1974 again with a banjo. No learning curve & that's what makes these fun. These should come with a compensated saddle. Mine sounded a little out of tune & it bothered me until I found a wooden compensated saddle. This was years ago so I don't remember where I ordered it from, probably Stewmac or Allparts. Anyway now it sounds like I tuned it today, not last month.
Concerning the saddle, you are 100 percent correct. There is a guy who will make one for your specific instrument.
8:42 Electric Guitar strings will give you that Banjo sound because they're identical in material to Banjo Strings (Nickel Plated Steel Wound).
Karl Golden uses Acoustic Guitar Strings on a Banjitar.
Many of the jazz players way back when used these things. Danny Barker, Johnny St.Cyr,Clancy Hayes, Monty Ballou, etc....
You get clip on mike's for double basses I'm Shure they should work k+k. 👍👏🏴🇬🇧🥃
Have a question for you and thanks for the videos. I play the guitar upside down and backward, long story... Martin D18 from way back. I would like to buy a banjo to try and I have been around long enough, that you have to spend enough to get some quality and yet I am not sure how my claw hammer fingerpicking will adapt. Suggestions?
It's great for country, folk, and alternative music but it just don't cut it in a bluegrass band. Maybe if you was as great as Jens Kruger, DOC Watson. They can make window blinds sound good.
What about the campy, 4 string plectrum banjo? Too 1920s dance band?
An excellent video.
I’ve just restrung mine with bronze. They don’t quite ring in the right way, but they’re ok. I’ll probably go back to steel if I get another set.
sorry, asked the question before this part of your video, thanks!
Can't play rock on a banjo.... I guess you've never heard of the Steven Seagulls.... look em up.
I own the original 6 string Gumanjo made in 1911. Patent # US1069987A that every one else has to reference to get a patent.
With this banjo, could you do a cover of Coldplay called Up and up, with singing.I'd love to see how it sounds.Could this be possible
It's great for song covers
Less talk, more rock!
I think an augmented 5 chord should sound good on the banjo. Also, it may be worthwhile to consider some tenor banjo techniques.
Thanks for making this video. It helped me.
I'm about to buy a 6 string banjo. Those 5 string ones have always been a turn off to Me. That string halfway down the neck only serves to throw me off. I have no use for it.
You lost me at "can't play rock & roll on a banjo. wouldn't make any sense." There are actually plenty of great rock songs that have banjo in them.
Thank you for making this, thumbs up!
I bought a 6 string so I didn't have to re-learn, but ended up learning some banjo finger picking and using that at times on my guitar to give a different sound.
I think you are being too narrow-minded. Maybe I'm used to playing a guitar in open G, which is the same tuning as a banjo. And I want the 5th string to go all the way to the nut which enables more chords and fingerings compared to the regular 5 string banjo. Why does retuning a 6string banjo defeat the purpose? I'm used to tuning my guitar to all sorts of tunings, open D, G, drop D, half-step down, DADGAD, BEBEBE etc etc. Does this also defeat the purpose of playing guitar? It's just strings on a board for gods sake
Well, good for you Leo! I am of the mindset that most guitar players don't buy a 6 string banjo so they can tune and play it like a five string, but you do whatever floats your boat :-) Maybe you should put up a video so we can see your style.
IntlPlaza thanks, I'll work on it
I dont know what kind of banjo tuning your using..Standard 5 string Banjer tuning is gDGBD...
Kyle Spillman
did I say it wasn't?
Leo B Kyle, he's got a point there. gDGBD is a triad, and in the first inversion would be a regular ol' G chord in any key. Sounds like an open G tuning. Leo, keep in mind that Kyle was probably driving in a Winston Cup race AND playing the banjo while reading your post. He might have gotten distracted
If your gonna strum I recommend my mods here th-cam.com/video/8s6mDblzSa4/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for the video. You helped me out trying to figure out what strings to get for the same model Framus 6 string banjo
I watched your video several times and it helped me pick out a 6 string banjo., I found a Gold Tone. Thanks for what you did here.. I truly appreciated it...
Thanks. Glad it help you. Gold Tone sure does make some nice banjos.
Thank you for the video, I was looking for more knowledge about the difference between a 5 string banjo and a 6 string banjo (here in Brazil, banjos has 4 strings as default and its pretty different than the 5 string), and once I know they have different tunings, I'm rolling for a 5 string, thank you very much!
i replaced the bridge on my five stringer and it sounded softer more muted and the strings where more apart from each other so it ended its days in the trash can there is nothing on the banjo that won't affect the sound one way or the other saving money for a four stringer (dixijazz)
Great video really helpfull as I picked up my new gold tone :D
I can play a guitar and a banjo! There is no way to get a 3 finger roll from a a guitar that sounds like a banjo
There is someone in my area selling this very model by framus, very cheap at that.
For somebody like myself who has no desire to play country or bluegrass, a 6 string banjo is great for adding a different texture to rock, "alternative" or folky stuff.
A lot of great information and insight here. Thank you for the video.
+benlee111999 Thanks!
@@kingschoir6328 Unlike the 5 String Banjo you can play in every key w/o re-tuning.
Uh....Mumford and Sons?
Please what is the price of this banjo?
Somehow I get the impression that you so much would like to play the 5string banjo....and not that guitarbanjo. Eventhough you play that well..
Same here. Learning the 5-string has a steep learning curve at first but it sounds great once you get the hang of it.
For something close to a 5 string sound, use Nashville tuning, stringing with 12 string high octave strings. Then string the 6th string, E, with a 1st string high E. Sounds best if you can fingerpick.
They don't sound like a 5 string banjo for sure. They sound like a guitar, with a banjo tone. They don't work for bluegrass , but a nice compromise, for someone in a country band who wants a banjo sound in a country song.