 |
Message Board - Banjos
|
4 string vs 5 string
|
Reply »
|
|
posted by: jlbreyer @ 9:52:14 AM · Thursday, November 18, 2004
|
|
I am dimly aware that there are two common configurations: 4 & 5 string. Where can I learn the differences?
jlb
Reply »
|
|
re: 4 string vs 5 string
|
Reply»
|
|
posted by: Margie @
10:41:11 AM · 12/30/2004
|
|
Try visiting www.buddywachter.com
from the Contents page go to Tech Talks & Looking Back. I believe this is a very honest look at the difference between the 4 & 5 string banjos. And of course you could always visit the Banjo Museum .....
Reply»
|
|
5-STRING
The 5-string banjo plays folk music, bluegrass, country dances, ragtime, or even classics. The standard modern neck has 22 frets, tuned high G, low C, G, B, D. Folk musicians use open-back instruments with different tunings.
You pick the 5-string banjo by stroking with the backs of the fingernails (frailing or clawhammer style) or by plucking (3-finger style). In 3-finger style, metal fingerpicks are fast and efficient, especially with steel strings, but are optional, especially with nylon strings. The thumb plays the fifth string, the bass string, and sometimes interior strings. The short fifth string ripples, helps the melody, or drones. To learn more, see "www.banjohangout.org".
4-STRING
The 4-string banjo plays Irish, ragtime, jazz, pop, or modern dances. It usually has a resonator on the back. The neck may be long (22-fret plectrum, tuned C-G-B-D) or short (19-fret tenor, tuned C-G-D-A).
It's usually played with a plectrum, expressing a melody through chords up and down the neck. Tunes like "Limehouse Blues", "St. Louis Woman", or "Mississippi Mud" sound great on the 4-string banjo.
CONVERSION
Sometimes buyers of old 4-string banjos (TB-1, Whyte Ladye, or tubaphone) hire a custom shop to make a new 5-string neck in like ornamentation, even forging the same brand (controversial), while keeping the original 4-string neck as an accessory. Ebay sometimes lists examples.
Reply»
|
|
Yes, there are differences - but what happens if you start to play on the 4-string banjo the same way others play on 5-string? Read and hear at my page
http://www.geocities.com/patekstylebanjo
Mirek
Reply»
|
|
|
|
