Banjo guitar

A guitar banjo or banjitar.

Banjo guitar, also known as banjitar[1] or ganjo,[2] is a six-string banjo tuned in the standard tuning of a six-string guitar (E2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4 from lowest to highest strings). The instrument is intended to allow guitar players to emulate a banjo, without learning the different tuning and fingering techniques required for the standard five-string banjo.

The banjo guitar differs from the standard five-string banjo in the number of strings, playing and tuning methods, and a slightly different timbre. The first versions of six-string banjos were introduced in the late 19th century though did not gain popularity. The concept was reintroduced in the mid to late 20th century.

Woman playing a banjo guitar

Banjo guitar players

Johnny St. Cyr was the first well known player of six string banjo. He used it in Louis Armstrong's Hot Five and Hot Seven, with Jelly Roll Morton, and in his own recordings after World War II. [3]

A number of musicians have played banjo guitars or guitjos, and one a double-necked guitjo.

See also

References

  1. ^ Race, Paul. "What Is A Banjitar? - A Brief History of the 6 String Banjo". Blog.deeringbanjos.com. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  2. ^ Colin Larkin (27 May 2011). "Keith Urban". The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8.
  3. ^ "Banjo, Guitar and Banjitar". 30 November 2021. Retrieved 2021-11-30.
  4. ^ Sebastian, Matt (2005-01-27). "One-of-a-Kind Instrument Gives Duo Unique Sound". Boulder Daily Camera. Archived from the original on June 22, 2007. Retrieved 2008-07-03.