Banjos belong to the string family. Classic banjo music is very popular, as are bluegrass, rock, and country. The banjo has a fun, interesting sound that stands well on its own or can be blended with other instruments. Moreover, there is a lot of music written specifically for the banjo. Banjos are available in four- or five-string varieties. The strings are made of metal or nylon and are fixed at the top of the neck. They are tuned by pegs similar to those on a guitar.

The body of the banjo can be made in a number of ways. Open-backed banjos are popular in the five-string design. Closed-back banjos, which take advantage of the form’s inherent resonance, are also available. Different materials are used to alter the sound or look of the banjo. Inlays in the neck and body of the banjo enhance the decoration. Metal-bodied banjos obviate the effects that weather and moisture have on traditional skin banjos. Presently, banjos have bodies made of plastic. The body of the banjo typically has an eleven- or twelve-inch rim.

The banjo can be played in different styles. Some styles employ finger-picking alone, while others use strumming. Other banjos combine both styles. Traditional styles of playing do not use fingerpicks, but many modern banjoists like the sound that picks create. In general, five-string banjo styles call for finger picking, and four-string banjo styles call for strumming.

There are many different ways of tuning a banjo, depending on the type of music and the sound desired. The number of strings will affect the way a banjo is tuned, and the most popular tuning for a five-string banjo is “dGDBg.” This is the setting commonly used in bluegrass. The four-string banjo is usually tuned to “CGBD.”