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Banjitar Lesson Series - Intro and First Tab

Posted by BanjoBelle on Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Folks have gotten into serious debates on whether it’s a guitar or banjo, but for those of us who play the banjitar it is a type of banjo. The 6-string banjo we know and love today was invented around 1925, and was used in jazz bands for its happy tone and ability to be heard over other instruments. Its popularity faded away with the changing music scene of the time, and unlike other instruments that continued to be used in other styles of music (such as bluegrass and country) it nearly vanished.

One slogan 6-string banjo makers love to use for promoting the instrument is “It’s for guitar players who want to play banjo.” As I also play 5-string banjo, let me tell you nothing could be further from the truth, and I really wish these companies would stop using that sales pitch. It hurts more than it helps.

Today, thanks to banjitarists such as Mickey Cochran (who I had exchanged a few emails with discussing 6-string banjo playing some time before his untimely passing due to a blood clot) the instrument now seems to be picking up steam, especially among younger to middle-aged players. 

This has been evident in my looking around social media sites such as Twitter, where there are many posts and pics of new players.

Banjitar can be flatpicked, fingerpicked, played Carter-style, with a slide, with fingerpicks or without. I personally prefer using a thumbpick and my fingernails instead of fingerpicks. (Goes back to my classical guitar days--I like to actually feel the strings!) It fits into several different styles like a glove, including old time, bluegrass, swing jazz, blues, and ragtime (to name a few.) The versatility of the instrument in addition to its uniqueness is what is drawing so many people to start playing it. 

I’m including a tab of “Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down” that I did for Carter-style strumming (using a banjo frail like strum on the 3 upper strings while hitting the alternating bass with the thumb) but it can be played plectrum flatpicking style as well. Feel free to experiment with it and add your own embellishments and touches. 

Don't Let Your Deal Go Down tab >

I’d like to ask you 6-stringers what you’re most interested in learning on it, and if you’d like you can email me at mandolinbabes@ymail.com with your suggestions and questions. Do put “banjitar playing” in the subject line so I know it’s not spam.



4 comments on “Banjitar Lesson Series - Intro and First Tab”

claybanjo Says:
Monday, September 16, 2013 @6:03:22 PM

so is it tuned primarily in standard guitar or DGDGBD? I know it could be either but in the past was there a standard?

BanjoBelle Says:
Tuesday, September 17, 2013 @7:04:44 AM

I'm assuming the tuning was standard guitar tuning,seeing as you want as bright a tone as you can get.

lami88 Says:
Thursday, April 27, 2017 @12:01:31 AM

Thank you for share from this article i can know banjo was invented around 1925.I'm common rail come from sensor I also like music..

Texasbanjo Says:
Thursday, April 27, 2017 @4:36:58 AM

Do not click on URL from Lami88. She's a spammer!

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