Banjo

Everything you need to know about banjos including the best banjos to buy, where to buy them, banjo accessories, how to play banjo and more.

Banjo Quick Look

What type of Banjo would you like to play?
On this page you’ll find everything you need to know about the Banjo, including buyer’s guides for the best on the market, gear needed, tips and full tutorials on your favorite songs.

Latest Banjo Posts

Below you’ll find a few of our latest posts about Banjos , including buyer’s guides for the best on the market, gear needed, tips and full tutorials on your favorite songs.

Why Trust Us?

Our Banjo reviews are always written by people who have had plenty of experience playing the instruments in question. Our buyer’s guides, reviews, blog posts and gear lists are all written by professionals who have vast knowledge about the instruments, their maintenance, history and how to play them. We always do the research so you don’t have to.

Our Banjo Experts

The Banjo experts who write for this blog are professional players, musical producers, performers and teachers. Every article written on this blog is written with the expertise that you’ll only find on IntoStrings.com and the quality of every post here reflects their knowledge and wisdom with the instruments that they play. If you want a professional opinion, you came to the right place.

Types of Banjos

Below you’ll find all of the different types of Banjos with links to the buyer’s guides on our site about each type and model of the instrument.

Best Banjos Overall

In this ultimate buyer’s guide you’ll find the best Banjos to purchase this year. We have done the research so you don’t have to! From budget options to professional instruments, we list all of the best on the market for all different budgets and playing styles. Don’t miss this full guide to the best overall. For the best instruments of individual types, scroll down.
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Bluegrass Banjo

When you’re thinking of a traditional banjo and banjo sound, the Bluegrass banjo is probably what you have in mind.

This banjo has a closed-back with 5 steel strings and strong, metal parts. As the name suggests, you’ll normally hear these types of banjos in Bluegrass music, but also in some jazz, old-time and classical music.

Clawhammer Banjo

This is an open back banjo that comes with 5 strings which can be made out of nylon, steal or other natural materials.

The sound from a clawhammer banjo has that plunky tune that you’d expect from a traditional banjo and it is common in folk music and traditional old-time songs which are played in the “clawhammer-style”.

Clawhammer Banjo

Tenor Banjo

Tenor banjos were first developed in the early 20th century when jazz music started adding them into songs in place of the electric guitar.

These are 4 string banjos, but the overall length of the instrument is quite a bit shorter than 5 string banjos.

Plectrum Banjo

The US wasn’t the only place that enjoyed banjo music. When the instrument finally made its way back to Europe and particularly Ireland, they developed their own version of the banjo which is called the Plectrum banjo today.

These banjos are not too different from tenors, but they are played more melodically with a pick in hand.

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6-String Banjo

The 6-String Banjo is basically a hybrid between a banjo and a guitar, which is why many people call them Banjitars.

They are basically just a banjo body with a 6-string guitar neck and head attached. These first because popular in the early 20th-century when jazz musicians first started using them in their music.

Today they sound great in modern music and are a fun instrument for guitar players to learn.

Ukulele Banjo

The 6-string banjo (or banjitar) isn’t the only hybrid banjo out there. Another increasingly popular and travel friendly instrument is the Ukulele Banjo.

Like so many banjos, these were made popular in the early 20th century. They have 4 nylon strings and an open back and are tuned in the same pattern as a standard ukulele.

mandolin Banjo

Mandolin Banjo

The 6-string banjo (or banjitar) isn’t the only hybrid banjo out there. Another increasingly popular and travel friendly instrument is the Ukulele Banjo.

Like so many banjos, these were made popular in the early 20th century. They have 4 nylon strings and an open back and are tuned in the same pattern as a standard ukulele.

Electric Banjo

Yet another Hybrid, the Electric Banjo is exactly what it sounds like, a banjo with a pick-up that can be hooked into an amp.

They usually have 5 strings and a smaller head that’s set in a solid wood body and pickups similar to electric guitar.

Folk-rock, progressive bluegrass, and jam bands love playing the electric banjo.

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Gourd Banjo

That’s right, this instrument harks back to African instruments and some of the earliest forms of music, tone and sound.

The Gourd Banjo is created by hollowing out a gourd and using natural materials for the strings and head. This banjo is generally fretless and is played the same way that you’d play a clawhammer banjo.

Long Neck Banjo

As you would expect from the name, the Long Neck Banjo is a open-back banjo with a longer neck than normal, which allows the musicians to get a much deeper tone from the instrument.

Pete Seeger is the most famous banjo player to use a long neck banjo, but many others have adopted it as their go-to banjo. 

Long Neck Banjo

Best Banjos By Price

When shopping for the best Banjos most people will have a budget in mind. Below you can find different lists of the best instruments organized by their cost.

Best Banjos Under $2000

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Best Banjos Under $500

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Best Banjos Under $1000

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Best Banjos Under $200

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Banjo Strings

Below are our posts about different Banjo strings that you can purchase. We have full lists and buyer’s guides for all different types of strings for all budgets.

Strings For Beginners

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Best Strings For Strumming

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Best Strings For Fingerpicking

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Violin Strings

Best Strings For Rock Music

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Other Banjo Gear

There is more gear for your Banjo than just the instrument and strings. Below we’ve included buyer’s guides to all of the important gear and accessories that you might want to purchase to complete your set-up.

Best Banjo Straps

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Ukulele Strap

Best Banjo Amps

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Best Capos For Banjos

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Ukulele Capo

Best Banjo Cases

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Banjo Lessons

If you want to learn how to play the Banjo, you can check out the wonderful lessons below for free on YouTube. This will give you the foundation you need to be able to play your new instrument and help you moving forward.

Beginner Lesson 1

Step-By-Step Tutorial

A quick and easy tutorial that will teach you the different parts of the Banjo, a couple of the easiest chords you can learn and some basic info to get you started playing.
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Man Playing Banjo 2
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Beginner Lesson 2

Step-By-Step Tutorial

A quick and easy tutorial that will teach you the different parts of the Banjo, a couple of the easiest chords you can learn and some basic info to get you started playing.

Beginner Lesson 3

Step-By-Step Tutorial

A quick and easy tutorial that will teach you the different parts of the Banjo, a couple of the easiest chords you can learn and some basic info to get you started playing.
Plectrum Banjo
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Clawhammer Banjo
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Beginner Lesson 4

Step-By-Step Tutorial

A quick and easy tutorial that will teach you the different parts of the Banjo, a couple of the easiest chords you can learn and some basic info to get you started playing.