ight Banjo For YOU What is a tone ring?
A tone ring is a ring, usually made of metal, that sits on top of the rim underneath the head of the banjo. When
the strings are played they vibrate which in turn vibrates the bridge, then the head, and then the tone ring. This ring will then vibrate and create greater high and low frequencies, thus creating a wider frequency response in your banjo. A tone ring can add color and volume to the sound.
Not all banjos have tone rings. It depends on what type of sound you want. They also are made with different materials and have different shapes which gives different models their own tonal color.
Openback or Resonator?
A resonator on a banjo is the back of the banjo which reflects the sound out to your audience. Banjos are
available both with and without a resonator. When they do not have a resonator we call them an openback banjo. Resonator banjos are brighter and louder than openback banjos.
Resonator banjos are traditionally used in bluegrass and jazz because instrumentalists in these styles take solos
after the melody has been played. When they take their solos they need to be heard above the rest of the band. The resonator will help them cut through.
Openback banjos are traditionally used in “old time” music. In this form of music the melody is played around
and around. The banjo in this style should blend in. Openback banjos also weigh less because they do not have a heavy metal flange to hold the resonator on.
How is it tuned?
There are many alternate tunings for the different types of banjos, but here are the standard tunings:
17-Fret Tenor: C, G, D, A 19-Fret Tenor: C, G, D, A Plectrum: C, G, B, D 5-String Parlor: G, D, G, B, D 5-String: G, D, G, B, D 6-String: E, A, D, G, B, E 5-String Longneck - E, B, E, G#, B 12-String: E, E, A, A, D, D, G, G, B, B, E, E
From lowest pitched string to the highest Like a viola Like a viola
Like a 5-string in drop C tuning Open G tuning
Open G tuning Like a guitar
Open E tuning Like a guitar
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