Banjos are adaptable to different styles of music.
The banjo is a versatile instrument that has been adopted to several styles of music. It is African in origin and may be thought of as a blend between a string instrument and a percussive instrument. The original African instruments, and the banjos in old-time music, are primitive homemade instruments. As the banjo has evolved, the banjo has become a much more sophisticated instrument. A Gibson banjo can cost several thousand dollars.
Clawhammer
Clawhammer banjo, also referred to as "frailing-style," is the banjo technique used in old-time music. Old-time music is a syncopated fiddle and banjo music that developed in the Appalachian Mountains. The songs are based on simple melodies played on the fiddle and banjo. The fiddle and banjo are often accompanied by an acoustic rhythm guitar and upright bass. Clawhammer banjo uses a five-string open back banjo.
The name for the style derives from the right-hand technique. The right hand forms a claw-like shape. The melody notes and chords are played on the first, second, third and fourth strings with the middle or index finger. The strings are struck with the backside of the middle finger or index finger. The thumb pulls and releases the fifth string in between the melody notes.
Bluegrass
Earl Scruggs created the three-finger bluegrass banjo style while playing with Bill Monroe in the 1940s. Bluegrass banjo is played on a resonator banjo. The resonator makes the banjo louder. Bluegrass players use thumb picks and finger picks on the index and middle fingers. The strings are plucked with the thumb and fingers. Bluegrass banjo use different tunings but open G tuning is the most common tuning. Open G is "G-D-G-B-D," going from the fifth string to the first string.
Classical
The banjo is used in classical music to play pieces by Bach, Mozart and other classical composers. Classical banjo players play a five-string banjo but the traditional steel strings are often replaced with nylon strings for a more subdued sound similar to a classical guitar. Classical players use the three-finger approach used in bluegrass music but without the thumb or finger picks.
Tenor Banjo
The tenor banjo is used in traditional New Orleans jazz music as well as in Irish music. It is played with a pick and not finger-style as in the other approaches. The tenor banjo is smaller in scale than the banjos used in old-time, bluegrass and classical music. It also has four strings and not five. The tenor banjo used in New Orleans jazz typically has 19 frets and the Irish Tenor banjo usually has 17 frets. A variety of tunings are used for the tenor banjo. Two of the most popular tunings are "G-D-A-E" and "D-G-B-E." The first tuning is favored by Irish Tenor banjo players because it is the same as standard mandolin tuning. This makes it easy to switch from mandolin to banjo. The second tuning, called the "Chicago tuning," is the same as the first four strings of the guitar.
