Banjo

About the Sound and Character

The sound of the banjo is sharp, dry, staccato, with a characteristic metallic clatter and very short sustain. This allows for incredibly fast, machine-gun passages (Scruggs style) that do not blur into a sonic mess.

Structure and Features

Its defining feature is the body, consisting of a round wooden or metal rim over which a membrane (plastic or skin) is stretched like a drum. The five-string banjo features a unique short fifth string attached midway up the neck that serves as a permanent drone.

Genres

• Bluegrass and country
• American folk and Dixieland jazz
• Indie folk and alt-country