Q&A for How to Play a Banjo

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I have short fingers. Will this hinder my ability to play?

Community Answer

It may make it a little more difficult at first, but you will get comfortable and learn to use your unique fingers effectively.

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Question

Are there any exercises to limber up the fingers on my left hand?

Community Answer

You could try finger dexterity exercises, or squeezing a soft ball. This should give your fingers more pliability, allowing you to acquire the ease of playing.

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Question

Where should the bridge be positioned exactly?

Community Answer

The same distance from the 12th fret as the nut. The 12th fret must be exactly halfway between them.

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Question

Can you play banjo left-handed?

Community Answer

Yes, but you may be more comfortable with a specifically made left-hand banjo.

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Question

Are the strings on the banjo the same as the fiddle, i.e. G D A E?

Community Answer

Depends on the type of banjo, specifically how many strings it has. Five-string banjo standard tuning is GDGBG. The best way to tell is to Google the standard turning according to what type of banjo you have.

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Question

My fingers get sweaty and stick to the strings. What can I do?

Community Answer

Wear pants made of a natural, absorbent material, and quickly wipe your fingers on them when needed.

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Question

Are there any rules or tips to changing and varying rolls to fit and play songs?

Community Answer

Use different rolls freely to fit the style of music. For example if I'm playing a slow song with a simple chord progression, I just use a forward backward role. When playing faster bluegrass, I switch between a foggy mountain roll, alternating thumb, and basic forward.

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Question

What do the letters in the chart from the article signify, the I, T, M?

Community Answer

They represent which right-hand finger is used to pick them. I is index, T is thumb, and M is middle.

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Question

Can I play a right-handed banjo with my left hand?

Community Answer

Yes, you will just have to get used to the fingering. Consider getting a left-handed banjo, however; it will be much easier to play.

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Question

How do I play the banjo without notes?

Community Answer

If you're asking how to play the banjo "by ear," there are several books and video courses on how to do this. (The Murphy Method is a popular one.) I suggest heading to YouTube to find instructional videos.

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Question

What is the short string on a five string banjo called?

Community Answer

The short 5th string is referred to as the Drone String. Generally, it is only played using the thumb.

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Question

When a banjo is tuned to "G" and everyone wants to play in key of "D" how do I switch?

Community Answer

Get two (2) capos: one to put over the four strings and a 5th string capo. Put the 5th string capo on the twelfth (12th) fret, fifth (5th) string; and the larger capo on the seventh (7th) fret (over the four strings) to put the banjo in the key of D.

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Question

Is the banjo a hard instrument for kids?

Tarun Aarya

Community Answer

It can be if the child is too young, and you have given them wrong weight banjo. A child around 10 to 13 can learn on a lightweight banjo, which will be easy to carry and travel with. Look for a "Child Size Bluegrass Mini".

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Question

What are the basic chords one should learn?

Community Answer

The basic chords are G, C, D7, Em, and D. These are simple chords that are used in very many songs.

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Question

Is there a similarity between playing the ukulele and banjo?

Community Answer

They are both stringed instruments, of course, but their playing techniques are pretty different.

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Question

Can I play the banjo if I have arthritis in my hand?

Community Answer

The interesting thing about the banjo is that it doesn’t require much left-hand finger dexterity to play chords and fret the strings, so your hands will be less likely to hurt when playing the banjo. But then again, it depends on the severity of your arthritis. If you have a more severe case, talk to your doctor or healthcare specialist.

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Question

Is a banjo a type of guitar?

Community Answer

It's a lot like a guitar, but they're separate instruments and the strings sound different. Both have a long neck connecting the main part and the tuning pegs at the end of it.

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