The guitar is still, without a doubt, one of the most popular first-choice instruments among beginners and music enthusiasts. But, on the other hand, it might get a bit tiresome to see guitar players wherever you go. It seems that almost everyone knows how to play at least something on the guitar. So it gets kind of difficult to be unique in this regard. And this is probably one of the reasons why many guitar players decide to either transition to banjo or take it up as their second instrument. And why wouldn’t they – banjo is one of the most engaging and fun instruments to play! And while many think that it’s limited only to country and folk music, you can hear it in plenty of different genres these days, sometimes even in rock and hard rock genres.
In case you’re deciding to move from guitar to banjo, you’re in luck! We’ve compiled this brief and simple guide on what you should do if you’ve decided to go down this path and learn how to play this awesome instrument.
Get a Nice Beginner Banjo
Of course, before even getting into the playing part, you’ll first need to get yourself an appropriate banjo. While some might want to immediately jump into it by buying a high-end instrument, we’d rather advise that you go with a cheaper and beginner-friendly one. Additionally, it’s always better to go with those standard 5-string banjos rather than 4- or 6-string ones. We’ve covered this particular topic in more detail and you can find a list of the best beginner banjos in this article.
Get Accustomed to Different Tunings
One of the biggest challenges when going from guitar to a banjo is to get accustomed to the tuning and the strings. While the standard tuning for 6-string guitars is E-A-D-G-B-E, 5-string banjos are often tuned to an open G tuning, which is G-D-G-B-D. Aside from that, we have other tunings, like the C, double C, D, G modal, and others. However, what makes banjo so interesting is that the bottom G string is actually higher in pitch compared to the other four. This is rather unusual for guitar players unless you’re used to the Nashville (or the high-string) tuning.
This completely different distribution of notes can be quite a challenge for those who are used to standard or “drop” guitar tunings. One of the best ways to approach this method is to try the open G or any other open tuning on a regular guitar. This will get you closer to understanding the chord and scale shapes on this new instrument. And you can even put only five strings on your guitar and tune it the same way you’d tune a banjo.
Start With Basic Banjo Songs, No Matter How Great You Are at Guitar
Sure, you might be an already skilled guitar player with a wide repertoire. However, no matter how tedious or boring it may seem. The only way to get accustomed to it is to start with the basic stuff first. There’s a reason why many banjo teachers go with fairly simple songs first, even if you’re already experienced with the guitar. Well, unless you’re an unusually talented musician that can get ahold of everything quickly.
Get Used to Fingerpicking and Tumbpicks
Another important difference is that banjos are played only by using fingerpicking techniques. Additionally, you’ll also need to get used to using thumbpicks and approaching the instrument that way. It might not seem like a big deal, but the feel is almost completely different compared to using your fingers only.
It’s Always the Best Idea to Ask More Experienced Banjo Players for Advice
One of the best ways to go about it is to ask those who are more experienced and start from there. After all, those who have been playing banjo for a while will definitely know more about it. And with more knowledge about it, they’ll be able to give a better set of advice compared to what you’d do on your own.
Conclusion
While going from one string instrument to another might not seem that difficult at first, it still comes with a different set of challenges. After all, the guitar and the banjo are two completely different instruments with not only a different tone and other concepts but also the way you approach it while performing. Knowing that banjo has a more specific use in terms of musical styles, you’ll also need to accommodate not only your techniques but also the dynamic output. You will especially have issues finding ways how to accommodate your picking hand here.