This thing is pretty interesting,just the sound of it causes me to play different patterns to sound decent.Staying in 1 chord a long time and rolling with it and adding little simple runs to that,is fun. It seems it even changes your timing.
Does anybody play one of these,and have suggestions of different things to try?
I am going,to play around with some different tunings tomorrow,any suggestions? I am thinking DADGAD might be a good one,and open Em.....

What is the best choice of strings to use? I was thinking that the super slinkies would work well,but somebody else said that heavier might be better,to get a thicker root sound,but isn't the root on a banjo usually higher pitched?
Could I try some different stringing?

This post was edited on 10/12/16 at 10:22 pm

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Posted by DesignTiger

Buford, Georgia

Member since Jun 2011

1581 posts

Posted on 10/13/16 at 9:12 am to auggie

I've got a 5 string banjo assuming that I could pick it up pretty quick since I've been playing guitar for almost 15 years... nope.

I've been interested in the 6 string banjo though. Pretty interesting that you say it changes your timing.

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Posted by auggie

Opelika, Alabama

Member since Aug 2013

31968 posts

Posted on 10/13/16 at 10:04 am to DesignTiger

quote:
Pretty interesting that you say it changes your timing.

string bending doesn't work the same way.Chords don't resonate either,like on guitar.if you try and play it like a guitar,it just sounds crappy.
I have had to really work on an alternating thumb pattern,paying closer attention vs. how I play guitar,and each string that you pick,you need to be doing something there,not just playing it open.
Movable chords where you really only need to play 3 or 4 strings seem to work best,and give that ( rolling?) sound/feeling.

It's really different,more than I thought it would be. It's harder work.

It's also hard to keep the damn thing in your lap,it doesn't sit there as well as a guitar does.Gonna have to get a strap for it today.

This post was edited on 10/13/16 at 12:01 pm

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