Introduction to the 6 string Banjo - Play it like a guitar!

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.

[grangran]

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.

[JRod]

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 YouTube. I’m playing real bluegrass with 6 days worth of banjo experience and it’s exhilarating!

[TheKINGisComing]

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!

[RockStarOscarStern]

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.

[BIgRon]

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.

[dynobil]

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

[RockStarOscarStern]

The Piezo Pickup makes the Banjitar sound natural when plugged in because it's picking the vibrations up from the Head.

[rexreyes]

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.😊👍🏻

[RockStarOscarStern]

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.

[bartholomewblack]

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

[mojostephen]

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...

[Thekarlskorner]

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.

[GJAndy]

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...

[RockStarOscarStern]

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.

[MrConan]

Thanks for the very helpful video. I have been playing guitar for 65 years and am just considering a 6 string Banjo.

[neilstubbs]

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.

[Tplayer]

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

[RackwitzG]

That Wildwood Flower stirred my heart.

[josephcureton]

Thank you for sharing. I just purchased gold tone 6 string I love it

[j.j.]

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.