Banjo

Banjos appear very much the same as guitars but give out a unique tone. Country, blues and fusion musicians usually use the banjo to provide a certain kind of rhythm that cannot be played by any other instrument. If your kid is particularly interested in playing the banjo, you have to define it clearly and let your young one understand the responsibilities of having one. Here are some tried and proven tips on how to purchase your first model.

Describing the Banjo

Try browsing the internet or visit a local shop with your child then describe what a banjo is. A banjo is a string musical instrument characterized by a classically round body and a long thin neck. The number of strings will differ based on the kind of banjo, although generally, the instrument only has 4 or 5 strings.

Origin

Other versions, however, can have as many as 6 strings. The sound of the banjo is usually linked to country western and bluegrass music in America. Other musical genres also include the tune for added uniqueness. The instrument is usually refined to suit the particular needs of musicians.

The banjo came from Africa. Its first form was created by stretching animal skin over a gourd then attaching a long neck with strings. Captured slaves brought the instrument to America. Over time, the gourd was replaced by the metal or flat wood frame. The 4-string banjo has a shorter neck and a unique tuning compared to the 5-string traditional model. Musicians usually strum the banjo, instead of plucking.

First Tries

It is recommended that you let your child play a borrowed or old banjo for a few weeks or months first before you purchase. Some kids tend to change their instrument of choice after realizing the different tunes and possibilities. Consider the age of your child. Very young children may only be interested at the beginning, so it will be counterproductive to purchase a model worth thousands of dollars, then never using it after a couple of tries.

Also consider your budget when deciding to buy. There are some decent models worth only a few hundred dollars. You can also purchase others less than 50 bucks at local shops, the internet and in flea markets. Make sure you check the sound or have an expert assess the equipment first before purchasing. You may purchase your first model cheaply then upgrade it once your child shows long-lasting interest.

Things to Look For

The banjo should primarily play easily. Make sure that the strings are easy to push down in front of the nut and up the neck close to the round part of the banjo. The nut is the white piece located at the top of the fingerboard which holds the strings up. Very hard strings can injure your kid or cause finger bruises. The banjo should also be easy to play with the right hand. The string should easily be picked lightly close to the bridge and you should hear a clear note when doing so.

Always assess the sound provided by the banjo. As your child progresses, you will realize that the quality of sound will also improve. Student quality instruments are good for beginners, since these give you ideas about sound quality and these are also relatively cheap. When checking brands, you should also consider where the banjos were manufactured. You will find that a lot are actually made in China, Taiwan or Korea. The different brands and names will also have various inlays, finishes and styles.

About Price Differences

The cheapest banjos are about $150. The rim, sound, head and resonator for banjos in this category are generally the same. The head may require tightening and the neck may have to be adjusted. You can have the music store clerk adjust the instrument before you purchase. Things to watch out for include a tambourine-like sound and very hard to push down strings.

Banjos priced between $250 and $300 usually include better hardware and sound better. The metal parts are usually inexpensive alloys and the models feature more wood as well. More expensive banjos can be priced about $600 and up, depending on the maker and sound. You may want to make your own banjo together with your child. There are making kits priced only around $150 to $180. The sound is decent enough if you follow the instructions correctly.