From wikipedia:
The modern banjo comes in a variety of different forms, including four- (
plectrum and
tenor banjos) and five-string versions. A six-string version, tuned and played similar to a
guitar is gaining popularity. In almost all of its forms the banjo's playing is characterised by a fast strumming or
arpeggiated right hand, although there are many different playing styles.
......................the 5 string banjo......................................
Many tunings are used for the five-string banjo. Probably the most common, particularly in bluegrass, is the open G tuning (gDGBd). In earlier times, the tuning gCGBd was commonly used instead. Other tunings common in old-time music include double C (gCGCd), sawmill or mountain minor (gDGCd) also called Modal or Mountain Modal, and open D (f#DF#Ad). These tunings are often taken up a tone, either by tuning up or using a
capo.
The fifth (drone) string is the same gauge as the first, but it is generally five frets shorter, three quarters the length of the rest (one notable exception is Vega's long necked Pete Seeger model, where the fifth string is seven frets shorter). This presents special problems for using a
capo to change the
pitch of the instrument. For small changes (going up or down one or two semitones, for example) it is possible to simply retune the fifth string. Otherwise various devices are available to effectively shorten the string. Many banjo players favour the use of model railroad spikes (usually installed at the seventh fret and sometimes at others), under which the string can be hooked to keep it pressed down on the
fret.
.................the 4 string banjo...................................
The
plectrum banjo has four strings, lacking the shorter fifth string, and 22 frets; it is usually tuned CGBD. As the name suggests, it is usually played with a guitar-style
pick (that is, a single one held between thumb and forefinger), unlike the five-string banjo, which is almost always played with a
thumbpick and two fingerpicks, or occasionally with bare fingers. The plectrum banjo evolved out of the five-string banjo, to cater to styles of music involving strummed chords.
A further development is the
tenor banjo, which also has four strings and is also typically played with a plectrum. It has a shorter neck of 19 frets, and is usually tuned CGDA, like a
mandola, or GDAE, like a
mandolin (but an octave lower). These tunings became popular around the turn of the century due to the growing popularity of the mandolin. A previous tuning was DGBE (like the 1st four of a guitar) which is now regaining popularity due to the number of guitarists who double on banjo. The tenor banjo has become a standard instrument for
Irish traditional music, where is mainly used in its longer 19 frets variant. Tenor Banjo was also a common rhythm instrument in traditional or Dixieland Jazz because its volume can compete with brass instruments.
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