The banjo offers bright, rhythmic attack and wide stylistic range across folk, bluegrass and traditional acoustic music.
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- Folk & World Instruments
Inside Banjo
Five String Banjo
Classic five-string banjos for bluegrass, folk and roots players, from beginner models to stage-ready resonator instrume...
Banjo Instrument
Explore banjos for folk, bluegrass and old-time styles, from open-back instruments to louder resonator models.
Banjo Picks
Find finger and thumb picks that suit your banjo style, comfort preferences and picking technique.
Articles on Banjo
All news
The Ultimate Guide to Banjo
The banjo's true history, the difference between five-string and tenor, open-back and resonator, and how to choose your first instrument by the music you want to play.
Banjo Sound and Style
The banjo has a sharp, rhythmic sound that makes it essential in folk, bluegrass, old-time and acoustic styles. With its distinctive head, rim and resonant character, the banjo delivers both melody and percussive drive.
Different Banjo Constructions
Players can choose from open-back, resonator, tenor and plectrum models, each suited to different traditions and techniques. Five string banjo designs are especially common in folk and old-time music, while other variants expand the instrument’s role in jazz, trad and ensemble settings.
A Core Folk Instrument
From gentle clawhammer patterns to fast rolling figures, the banjo remains highly expressive and adaptable. For UK musicians, the banjo offers a lively route into traditional repertoire, session playing and contemporary acoustic performance.
