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Subject: Derring Sierra
Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2004 16:33:36 -0400

Hi folks,

Hi Joe,

I have been playing a guitar for some time, and have picked up an old banjo, called Chicago. The 5 string seems like it would be a lot of fun. I am thinking about puechasing a Sierra, after reasearching and listening on the internet.
I am leaning on learning the 5 string but I have some thoughts that the 6 string Deering might be more versatile. I play in a worship group at our church and would like to use the banjo once in a while on some of the songs we do.

Well, in this case, there's no doubt that when you first pick up the 6-string banjo, you'll be playing right away. However, you'll want to keep in mind that playing it exactly as you play your guitar now will not come off well. The 6-string banjo is not meant to be strummed...it sounds very muddy if played as a strummed guitar. It sounds best as a flatpicked instrument when arpeggiating the notes...or as a fingerpicked instrument. To me, it just doesn't cut it when beating out chords with a flatpick. The advantage of learning the 5-string, if looking for a 5-string banjo sound, is that you're forced to fingerpick it with traditional approach...roll patterns or even in a single string fashion in a fingerstyle approach. Now, the 6-string can also be approached in a traditional fashion with fingerpicks and thumbpick using relative roll patterns...which then gives it more of a 5-string banjo sound....only it will never sound exactly like a 5-string due to the fact that the 6-string does not have the high G drone. Before finalizing your purchase, you might consider purchasing the "Introduction to the 6 & 12-String Banjo" available at:

http://www.folkofthewood.com/page2296.htm

This way you can hear the possibilities of the 6-string before finalizing your decision to purchase one...Mickey

Thanks, Joe Matthews NC

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Date: Wed, 25 Sep 2002 18:07:30 -0600
Subject: 6 string over 5 string for Blues playing

Hei from Norway,

I sing in a Blues band and I am very tired of not doing anything during the solos. So to be different I was thinking of using a banjo in the Blues music we play. I would think that it would be easier for a six string to "fit in better" because of the tuning would be closer to that of the guitars. Yet the 5 string would stand out as impressive if I could become well......... great "some day" Also how would slide banjo playing be, I have never personally heard one used this way.

If you could give me a hand in figuring this out I would be greatfull.

Chris ... Oppdal, Norway

Greetings Chris,

I believe that blues banjo can be effectively played on both the 5 or 6-string...there are pluses and minuses to both:

6-String
1. If you already are playing guitar, you won't have to learn a new language to plug into what you're already doing...
2. The 6-String has a good bottom end...which supports the melody and other lead instruments...
3. The gauge of the strings are thicker allowing for ease of playability if you want to play with a slide...it does work, however, the decay is quick...giving bottleneck playing an entirely different character.

Disadvantages:
1. There isn't a fifth string drone that truly gives the banjo its character...

5-String
1. Has the traditional banjo sound...with a 5th string drone...
2. Is easier to adapt banjo rolls to that will give it that traditional banjo sound...

Disadvantages:
1. The gauge of the strings is too light to accommodate bottleneck playing...
2. There isn't any bottom end to support another instrument or play solo blues effectively...


Hope this helps...Mickey
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Date: Tue, 04 Jun 2002 14:42:30 -0500

Hey Mickey,

First off I just want to say I really enjoy and appreciate your site. I've been playing guitar for about 3-4 years now and I've kinda come to a plateau. I've been into blugrass and jam music for a while now and I've decided I'd like to take up the Mando. I'm trying to decide which instrument to choose. I really enjoy blugrass and am leaning toward an f-style, but I've also been really inspired by SCI and am also tempted to check out the 5-string. What are the differences in a standard 6 and a 5 string? Are they tuned different, is one better than the other in bluegrass. The 5-string seems more like a guitar and that it would be easier for solos and whatnot. Anyway, I just wanted some expert advice on the differences and possibilities.

Thanks in Advance
Colin

Greetings Colin,

Thanks so much for the kind words regarding our website...

Playing mandolin as a second to guitar is a great move. They have many similarities as far as mind to hand coordination. You'll use the same flapicking techniques directly...the real differences would be in the 5th intervals as opposed to the 4th intervals you're used to on guitar...and the frets and neck are quite a bit smaller.

If you're fingerpicking the guitar now, you'll also find some similarities in seconding on the banjo...however, if you haven't been fingerpicking the guitar, the mechanics of playing banjo is one of the biggest hurdles...

Now, if you're taking up the 6-string banjo, you'll find it to play exactly like the guitar in every respect. The only difference between a 6-string banjo and a guitar would be the decay of the notes. On a 6-string banjo there's no sustain...therefore, some of your guitar arrangements may not transcribe to 6-string banjo well...still, the 6-string is the same language and will allow you as a guitar player to start right into the banjo voicing without learning a new fretboard language.

The 5-string is tuned entirely different than both the 6-string banjo and the guitar. It's tuned in open G with the 5th string at an octave high G...this gives you the main characteristic of 5-string banjo by adding a drone string...For bluegrass, this is the only way to go...if you plan on playing a variety of styles, and you don't want to go through a major learning curve, you can imitate the 5-string banjo on a 6-string...it will only be impressionistic at best; you'll never imitate a 5-string authentically with a 6-string.

Hope the above helps...Mickey

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