The banjo is a beloved instrument with a long and colorful history. While it may seem like a simple instrument, there are many variations and styles to choose from. If you’re interested in becoming a beginner banjo player, keep reading to learn more about where to start.
Banjos are the soul of folk, country, and bluegrass music. Those who play these unique instruments are let in on the secrets of the banjo’s distinctive sound. It takes passion to bring out the soulfulness of a banjo but finding the best banjo for your style is the first step to making music. In the market for a 5-string banjo but not sure what to choose? Let’s take a look at important factors to consider when shopping for the best banjos around.
Openback VS Resonator
There are two main varieties of banjo: openback and resonator. Understanding the difference between the two will help you choose the best banjos for your playing style. While both are similar in design, a resonator banjo has a wooden “bowl” mounted to the back which works to project sound toward an audience. This also adds to the weight of resonator banjos. Openback gets its name from, you guessed it, having an open back. As far as sound goes, resonator banjos are the stars of bluegrass music, lending a loud and twangy sound that can be made sweet with fingerpicks. Openback banjos are known for their mellow and soft sound.
Get a Feel for the Banjo
Before deciding on the best banjo, the most important thing is getting a feel for the instrument. This is a good chance to test its quality as well. A simple test is pressing down each string along the fingerboard. Do they contact the frets without much resistance? Do they feel comfortable on your fingers? If the answer is yes to both of these questions, you are off to a good start. Take the banjo for a test drive by plucking the strings, both individually and together. The sound should be nice and clear without any rattling. In addition to making your own assessment, it is a good idea to ask the experts and let them help you find the best banjos for you.
Name Your Price
You will likely have a rough idea of how much money you are comfortable spending on a new banjo, and this price point will narrow down your choices. Banjos can range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands! For beginner banjo players, it is not a bad idea to find the best banjos available at a lower price so you can get a feel of playing and test the waters without emptying your wallet. While the price may be lower, there are still plenty of great quality banjos that will fit into a lower budget.
The Best Banjos in Town
At Banjo.com, we carry only the best, predominantly American-made banjos. A family-owned business in Alabama with a passion for music, our banjo team is committed to helping you bring your music to life with the best banjos. Every banjo that leaves our shop is set up with care, tuned, and inspected prior to shipping so when it arrives, you are ready to start plucking! When you buy from us, you also gain access to our banjo experts who can help you take your banjo skills to the next level. Visit our website to know more information.