A Comprehensive Guide to Different Types of Banjos

Banjos are not one-size-fits-all. A 5-string resonator banjo built for bluegrass and a 4-string tenor banjo used in Irish sessions are practically different instruments. They have different string counts, different tunings, different playing techniques, and different musical traditions behind them.

This guide breaks down every major banjo type so you can figure out which one actually matches the music you want to play. If you are new to the instrument, start with the anatomy of a banjo so the terminology below makes sense.

Quick Comparison: Banjo Types at a Glance

Banjo Type	Strings	Standard Tuning	Primary Genres	Best For
5-string (resonator)	5	Open G (gDGBD)	Bluegrass, country	Scruggs-style picking, band settings
5-string (open-back)	5	Open G (gDGBD)	Old-time, folk	Clawhammer, solo/quiet playing
4-string tenor (17-fret)	4	GDAE	Irish trad, Celtic folk	Melody playing in sessions
4-string tenor (19-fret)	4	CGDA	Jazz, Dixieland	Longer scale, more range
Plectrum	4	CGBD	Jazz, ragtime	Chordal rhythm playing
6-string (banjitar)	6	EADGBE (guitar)	Folk, country rock	Guitarists wanting banjo tone
Banjo ukulele	4	GCEA	Folk, novelty	Compact size, fun tone
Banjo mandolin	8 (4 courses)	GDAE	Early 20th-century music	Mandolin players, collectors
Long-neck	5	Open E or open D	Folk revival	Lower pitch, Pete Seeger style
Electric	4–6	Varies	Rock, fusion	Amplified performance

For a deeper look at how string count changes everything, see our guide on how many strings a banjo has.

5-String Banjo: The Standard

The 5-string banjo is the most common type and the one most people picture when they hear the word “banjo.” Its defining feature is the short fifth string (the drone string), which starts at the fifth fret instead of the headstock. That drone string is what gives the banjo its signature rolling, ringing sound.

The standard tuning is open G (gDGBD), and there are two main playing styles:

Three-finger picking (Scruggs style): Fast, syncopated rolls using thumb, index, and middle finger picks. This is bluegrass banjo. Learn the foundational patterns in our banjo rolls guide.
Clawhammer (frailing): The back of the fingernail strikes downward on the strings in a rhythmic “bum-ditty” pattern. This is old-time banjo. We cover it in detail in what is clawhammer banjo.

The 5-string comes in two body styles that affect volume, weight, and tone:

Resonator Banjo

A resonator is a wooden back plate attached to the pot (body). It projects sound forward, making the banjo louder and brighter. Resonator banjos are heavier, typically 10-12 pounds, but that volume is necessary for cutting through a full bluegrass band with guitar, mandolin, fiddle, and bass.

If you are playing bluegrass or performing with other instruments, you want a resonator banjo.

Open-Back Banjo

An open-back banjo has no back plate. Sound radiates in all directions, which produces a mellower, warmer tone at lower volume. Open-back banjos weigh less (often under 6 pounds) and are generally more comfortable for extended practice.

Open-back banjos are the standard for clawhammer and old-time playing. Many clawhammer players also dampen the head with a piece of felt or foam to get an even softer, more muted sound.

For a detailed breakdown of how these two body styles compare, read our open-back vs resonator banjo guide.

4-String Tenor Banjo

The tenor banjo has four strings and a shorter neck than the 5-string. It comes in two main sizes:

17-fret tenor: The shorter scale, tuned GDAE (same as a fiddle or mandolin). This is the dominant banjo in Irish traditional music, where it is played with a flat pick to carry fast melody lines through reels, jigs, and hornpipes. The short scale makes it punchy and responsive.
19-fret tenor: A slightly longer scale, traditionally tuned in fifths (CGDA, like a viola). This version was more common in early jazz and Dixieland bands during the 1920s and 1930s. The extra two frets give more range for chordal work.

The tenor banjo does not have a drone string and is not typically fingerpicked. It is a melody and rhythm instrument, played almost exclusively with a plectrum (flat pick).

If Irish trad is your goal, get a 17-fret tenor tuned GDAE. If jazz or Dixieland interests you, consider a 19-fret model. For hands-on guidance, see how to play a 4-string banjo.

Plectrum Banjo

The plectrum banjo also has four strings but with a longer neck, the same 22-fret scale length as a 5-string banjo. It is tuned CGBD (sometimes called “Chicago tuning” when retuned to DGBE to match the top four guitar strings).

Historically, the plectrum banjo was a staple of 1920s jazz bands. Players strummed chords rapidly to keep time alongside horns and drums. The plectrum banjo faded from mainstream use after the swing era but remains popular in Dixieland revival groups and trad jazz circles.

The key difference from a tenor banjo: the plectrum has a longer neck and is tuned differently. If you see a 4-string banjo with a long neck, it is almost certainly a plectrum, not a tenor.

6-String Banjo (Banjitar)

The 6-string banjo, often called a banjitar or guitjo, is tuned exactly like a guitar (EADGBE). It has a banjo pot and head for tone but a guitar-width neck with six strings. If you already play guitar, you can pick up a 6-string banjo and use all your existing chord shapes and scales immediately.

The trade-off: it does not sound exactly like a traditional 5-string banjo. It lacks the drone string, which means no classic banjo rolls. What it does deliver is a banjo-flavored tone without a new learning curve. Players like Keith Urban and Taylor Swift have used 6-string banjos in recordings and live performances.

A 6-string banjo works well for singer-songwriters who want banjo texture in their songs without committing to an entirely new technique. It is not a substitute for learning how to play banjo in the traditional sense, but it fills a real niche.

Banjo Ukulele (Banjolele)

The banjolele combines a ukulele neck with a small banjo body. It has four strings tuned GCEA (standard ukulele tuning) and produces a bright, percussive, cheerful sound that cuts through more than a standard uke.

George Formby made the banjolele famous in the 1930s and 1940s. Today it is a popular novelty instrument and a legitimate choice for folk, vaudeville-style performance, and casual jam sessions.

Banjoleles are compact and affordable, which makes them a low-risk way to experiment with banjo-like tone. They are not, however, a stepping stone to full-size banjo playing since the technique and tuning are completely different.

Banjo Mandolin (Banjolin)

The banjo mandolin pairs a small banjo body with a mandolin neck. It has eight strings in four courses (doubled pairs), tuned GDAE like a mandolin. The banjo body gives it more projection and a sharper, more percussive attack than a standard mandolin.

Banjolins were popular in the early 1900s but are now mostly collector’s items. If you find one in good condition, they produce a distinctive sound that works well for old-time and early American music. Modern production is limited, so most banjolins on the market are vintage instruments.

Long-Neck Banjo

The long-neck banjo (also called a Seeger banjo, after Pete Seeger who popularized it) adds three extra frets to a standard 5-string neck, giving it a 25-fret fingerboard. This longer scale drops the pitch, typically tuning to open E (eEG#BE) or open D.

Pete Seeger designed the long-neck specifically so he could play folk songs in lower keys that were more comfortable for singing. The longer scale also produces a deeper, more resonant tone than a standard 5-string.

Long-neck banjos are a niche instrument today. If you are drawn to the folk revival sound of the 1950s and 1960s, or if you sing in a lower register and want a banjo that matches your vocal range, a long-neck is worth exploring.

Electric and Hybrid Banjos

Electric banjos use pickups (magnetic or piezo) and are designed for amplified performance. Some are solid-body instruments that look more like electric guitars with banjo heads; others are acoustic banjos with built-in pickups.

Electric banjos solve a practical problem: acoustic banjos can struggle to be heard in loud band settings outside of bluegrass. With an electric banjo, you can run through an amp or PA, use effects pedals, and sit comfortably in a rock, country, or fusion mix.

Notable electric banjo options include models from Deering (who make the Crossfire series) and Gold Tone (known for a wide range of specialty banjos). If you are playing in a band context outside of acoustic bluegrass, an electric or at least an acoustic-electric banjo is worth considering.

Parlor Banjos

Parlor banjos are scaled-down versions of full-size banjos, with smaller pot diameters (around 10-11 inches versus the standard 11-12 inches) and shorter scale lengths. They were originally designed for living room (“parlor”) playing in the late 1800s.

Modern parlor banjos are valued for portability and comfort. They are lighter, easier to hold for long periods, and quieter, which makes them good for apartment practice. The sound is thinner and less projecting than a full-size banjo, but for solo practice and casual playing, that is not a problem.

If you have smaller hands or want a travel-friendly banjo, a parlor model is a practical option.

How to Choose the Right Banjo

Picking the right banjo comes down to three questions:

1. What music do you want to play?

This is the single most important factor. The genre determines the banjo type:

Bluegrass: 5-string resonator banjo, no question
Old-time / clawhammer: 5-string open-back banjo
Irish traditional: 4-string tenor banjo (17-fret, GDAE)
Jazz / Dixieland: 4-string tenor (19-fret) or plectrum banjo
Folk / singer-songwriter: 5-string open-back, long-neck, or 6-string banjitar
Already play guitar: 6-string banjitar for the easiest transition

2. What is your experience level?

For most beginners, a 5-string open-back banjo is the most versatile starting point. It is lighter, cheaper, and works for both clawhammer and fingerpicking. You can always add a resonator later or buy a resonator model when you are ready for band playing.

If you are specifically interested in Irish music, start with a 17-fret tenor. Do not buy a 5-string banjo hoping to use it for Irish trad since it is the wrong instrument for that tradition.

Check our best beginner banjo recommendations for specific models at every price point, and our broader best banjo guide if you have more budget flexibility.

3. Where and how will you play?

At home, solo practice: Open-back 5-string, parlor banjo, or banjolele
In a band or at sessions: Resonator 5-string (bluegrass) or tenor (Irish)
On stage with amplification: Electric or acoustic-electric banjo
Traveling: Parlor banjo or banjolele

Common Tunings by Banjo Type

Getting your tuning right is essential. Here are the standard tunings for each type:

Banjo Type	Standard Tuning	Notes
5-string (open G)	gDGBD	Most common; the “g” is the short 5th string
5-string (double C)	gCGCD	Popular for clawhammer
4-string tenor (Irish)	GDAE	Same as fiddle/mandolin
4-string tenor (jazz)	CGDA	Tuned in fifths like a viola
Plectrum	CGBD	Standard jazz plectrum tuning
6-string	EADGBE	Same as guitar
Banjolele	GCEA	Same as ukulele
Long-neck	eEG#BE or eEABE	Lower pitch than standard 5-string

For step-by-step tuning instructions, see our how to play banjo guide which covers setup and tuning fundamentals.

Basic Care Tips

Whatever type of banjo you choose, basic maintenance will keep it sounding good and playing well:

Wipe down strings and hardware after each session to prevent corrosion
Store in a case when not playing, ideally with stable temperature and humidity
Change strings regularly. How often depends on how much you play, but once a month is a reasonable baseline for regular players
Check the head tension periodically. A loose head produces a muddy tone; a properly tensioned head gives you clarity and projection. Learn the technique in our how to learn the banjo guide
Keep tuning machines lubricated and screws snug so they hold pitch reliably

For more history, trivia, and surprising details about this instrument, explore our collection of banjo facts.