Banjo

A fretted string instrument whose sound comes from a taut skin stretched over a circular frame, giving a sharp, percussive voice with little sustain.

The five-string version has a short fifth string starting partway up the neck, which is what produces the characteristic high drone in the old-time clawhammer and bluegrass styles. It is typically tuned to an open G chord, so full chords come from barring rather than fingering. The tight head and metal tone ring make a banjo very loud for its size, which is why it cuts through a string band without amplification.

Example: rolling patterns on the fifth string against an open G make the background texture of almost every bluegrass recording.

Banjo

See also