3 Tips to Instantly Improve Your Banjo Playing

Do you struggle to get good tone when playing bluegrass banjo? This video is for you then! I show you how different hand positions affect your tone, how the way you pick your strings makes a big difference, and how to adjust your banjo head to get optimal tone from your instrument. These tips will help you play faster, and with better tone and accuracy. Thanks for watching!
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My banjo is a Gold Tone OB 250+
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How to play the banjo faster. Banjo lessons. How to get good banjo tone. How to tighten a banjo head. Banjo head adjustment.

[@doopdoopboopdoop]

Jumping headfirst into banjo for the first time. Google keeps bringing me to your videos when I have general questions and I find you are easy to watch and listen to. Appreciate what you're doing!

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Glad to hear it, thanks for watching!

[@Hughleik]

Thank you very much. Very helpful. Eliminated much of the middlefinger scratching sound, by moving closer to the brigde.

[@banjomark9900]

Great tips Mason ! “Scratching a Mosquito Bite” sounds like a good title for an original tune. Looking forward to hearing it from you 👍🪕

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Thanks!

[@corneliousseuss8948]

Oh man oh boy! This was wayyy helpful. I picked up the banjo about a year ago, I’ve learned a few simple songs since and I always wondered why they don’t quite sound right, even when I play cripple creek it sounds more like a new age cover than the actual song. After watching this video I realized it’s likely because I play way too close to the head and my fingers are flat. I feel so powerful after learning this ancient esoteric banjo wisdom! Keep up the good work!

[@MasonCroneMusic]

That's awesome, glad I could help!

[@jason_learns]

Super helpful tip about where to play on the head. I've learned to play clawhammer style, where the mellow tones are desired, so I naturally started picking closer to the neck. I never realized what a huge difference it makes. Thanks!

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Glad I could help!

[@Texicus_Reddicus]

a tip for tuning the head: go from one key to the opposite side of the head, and work your way around doing each one at opposite ends, this will stop any weird inconsistencies in the tightness

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Thanks for sharing

[@judwatkins9478]

Let me add my thanks here, Mason. You are doing a great job of instructing on the banjo. Please keep these videos coming.

[@MotivatedPiller]

Just off the first part of the video with the clean vs twang sound, I just started playing a week ago and yesterday I noticed how different it sounds. Definitely helped me pick the sound I wanted. I tend to play basically over top of the bridge myself.

[@MasonCroneMusic]

It makes a huge difference! Lots of people don't seem to realize it which is why I wanted to point it out.

[@MotivatedPiller]

@@MasonCroneMusic definitely giving you a sub! You have good videos! Appreciate all of your work!

[@TonyLake920]

Mason thanks for the info i will be purchasing my first banjo on the 9th of August 2023 and am looking forward to future video's of yours again thanks for the informative content

[@dewaynehenson6235]

I have not looked at all of your videos yet ( just found them ).I 've been playing banjo going on 51 years. played with the best and the worst. Have you mentioned ( PROPER BRIDGE PLACEMENT) on the banjo head? This is an important step. At the 12th fret ALL the strings should be in perfect pitch. Also the bridge must be at 90 degrees to the strings .Showing head tone G# you might want to tell what string and fret you are using to get that G# for any beginners out there. I play a 1973 LEFT HAND Alverez Silver Bell still in pristine condition .Keep up all the good work you are doing.

[@MasonCroneMusic]

I haven't made any videos on that yet, thanks for the idea.

[@sarahengland1843]

Thanks for the great tips! I have a couple of suggestions if I may: 1) I found the background music distracting while you were speaking. 2) It would be great to have time stamps with the content in the description section. Thanks so much!

[@Ratguitar58]

I have already learned a lot by watching your 5 banjo songs video, I really want to learn those fast multi note riffs you do on foggy mountain bd Thank you for posting ❤

[@lisakern4027]

Super helpful!!! Thank you!!

[@hhrfc671]

Thanks, really helpful as I'm just starting out. Better to start properly! Best wishes from Northland NZ.

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Great to hear, thanks for watching!

[@juliainman8665]

Fascinating tips! Thank you lots!! 😊

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Glad you liked it!

[@TREEHUGGAH1]

thanks for the tips. i need all the help i can gets.

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Glad I could help!

[@Steve-jf3hf]

Thanks for the tips Mason, and yes your new banjo sounds really great🪕😊

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Thanks!

[@Celticman197]

Many Modern Players are backing off on head tension. Some are in F# and even F. Foam is also being placed inside the pot at the neck-rim connection, and under the bridge too, in order to eliminate overtones and sustain. Fuller deeper tone with more body seems to be the preferred sound today.

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Maybe for a few of the more progressive players, not for most people though.

[@Celticman197]

@@MasonCroneMusic Yeah, the vast majority of banjo players play Tradional Scruggs style. Probably only 10% are other styles. But it seems on a Professional level Players of other styles are more common.

[@Steve-cs8nd]

That’s interesting! It also implies the flatheads are here to stay lol.

[@nathanlester5054]

Mason, that new banjo sounds great!

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Thanks! I like it a lot, every time I play it it sounds better than I remembered 😂

[@nathanlester5054]

It has so much drive! BTW what type of finger picks are you using? I can't get my Dunlops or Shelor to fit well enough to allow me to bend my fingers as much as you show otherwise the bands are barely on the tips of my fingers and fall off. I have large hands and fingers ...

[@MasonCroneMusic]

@@nathanlester5054 I'm currently using Hoffmeyers, I used to use Dunlops though. Try bending them to fit your fingers, they shouldn't fall off if the fit is right. If they're just too small you could try to find some bigger ones.

[@ariannea3]

Thank you, that was really helpful!

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Glad to hear it!

[@michaellynch9086]

Great content. Keep em coming.

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Thanks!

[@strangsnsuch4765]

Thanks for the tips.

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Thanks for watching!

[@audreymeyer5616]

I liked this video

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Thanks!

[@silvanusasher446]

I prefer the mellow sound honestly

[@rayhomewood8831]

Thank you for this 😀

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Glad you like it!

[@joelfildes5544]

I’ve just inherited an open back without the arm rest,is it worth getting one ? (An arm rest) I tend to float my picking arm,and am not currently using the picks,as I’m a long time guitar fingerpicker and don’t use any on that,I’m a bit like Knopfler…no nails playing with the fleshy parts…I know it’s not to code,but my wife had to live with my ‘new’ instrument too !

[@MEDITATIONMUSIC-hz7ko]

Amazing!

[@jakeandthedeathlyhallows8284]

Thank you

[@the_prophecyyy]

Thanks Mason your videos are really helping me pick up the banjo. I’m curious what finger/thumb picks your using?

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Glad to hear it! I use a Blue Chip JD Crowe thumbpick and Hoffmeyer fingerpicks

[@Steve-cs8nd]

Very good as usual Mason. You know those Ibanez B 200s like the Earlier Ibanez models from the 70s they are based on are near perfect replicas of a Gibson RB 800 Mastertone. I bought a Drum dial last week and set my ones head up to 89 on every bar clamp on the tension ring and man it a huge difference. Set up properly they are no toys and well worth perhaps getting Master Huber to make a new rim and 20 hole tone ring to saddle em up with. Also I would be interest to know if anyone has used those BIGFOOT BRIDGES and their opinions of them Hint hint big fella? The bridges with the three feet running parallel to the strings ? Having made a few Violins I know bridges on both them and Banjos are extremely important to tone and doing work on them can improve tone and volume off the scale. Thin them down and enlarging the arches carefully ( along the lines of Hans Weisaar Violin bridge modification) can really help if done judiciously. As Luthier I had considered those Bigfoot Bridges might be TOO stable as a bridges ability to vibrate ( especially in a Violin nearly right over the sound post is what makes them so loud) if a biridge is too stable it’s transfer of string energy to the Pot may be minimised for adverse effect, BUT! I as they say logic is the way to be completely confident your right WHEN YOU'RE WRONG lol so would be interested to hear if others like them. They are an interesting idea well worth looking at.

[@barrysmith8193]

For great sound don’t rely on your ear for correct tuning/sound. Consider buying a drum dial for accurate adjustment. They are inexpensive and fool proof. The results are undeniable. Great sound for beginners is imperative to support your enthusiasm. You will not regret it.

[@MasonCroneMusic]

I agree, some people can't afford one though. I wouldn't say they're inexpensive 😂

[@johnpaulhumphrey2981]

but the strings are squishier towards the neck. I have trouble playing by the bridge too stiff. Great tips though. I will have to check out my finger curl

[@MasonCroneMusic]

That's just something you have to work out of, Scruggs tunes don't sound good by the neck.

[@Celticman197]

Get a banjo with a wide fingerboard, and a wide string spaced bridge. Also, use a high bridge and neck set up high off the head, to get the strings up high off the head at th neck.

[@LastAyleidKing]

My great grandfather had 2 banjos, now that my grandpa's passed away I'm thinking of getting into trying to play them but I don't know what brand or material to buy picks in, sizing etc lol. And I'm sure the strings old as they are might get me by for a bit but idk anything about restringing or tuning.... If you have any advice on some decent starter picks thumb and fingers, and how to tell if it's left or right handed... I'm a writing lefty but more ambidextrous in everything else

[@MasonCroneMusic]

I would take a look at Dunlop picks. And I would go for playing a standard banjo if you can, lots of leftys have done that with great success.

[@LastAyleidKing]

@Mason Crone Music I snagged a bundle of nickel dunlop ones should arrive next week ($10-15, +free shipping) I figure then I'll have set I can adjust and set I leave as is....in case my fingers prefer one way or other...or stuff comes up missing haha. I ordered through Walmart but the place it was coming from was in Virginia. So yea excited 😊

[@daveherrin2701]

Howdy. When tightening heads, is it necessary to alternate across to the opposite side of the head, as when you put lug nuts on a tire rim?

[@MasonCroneMusic]

When you first put the head on it's a good idea to do that, since it's not used to the pressure. But if the head is already under tension it doesn't really matter.

[@daveherrin2701]

Thanks. Hope to see you at SPBGMA

[@MasonCroneMusic]

I might try to make it over there for a day trip, we'll see though.

[@brianblaine6167]

How often would you say it's necessary to tighten the banjo head? Just when it starts to sound off? Or is there generally a time-frame?

[@MasonCroneMusic]

A new head will need to be adjusted several times, but after it's been on for a few weeks it'll stay good for a very long time.

[@brianblaine6167]

@@MasonCroneMusic Thanks!

[@TJRohyans]

You kept saying "half turn", but your motion was for a "quarter turn". I'm assuming you meant quarter turn; minimal adjustment.

[@MasonCroneMusic]

You're right, my bad 😂 I was thinking in halves I guess.

[@noahboren5370]

Can you do a tutorial on Charleston girl

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Don't know that one

[@robertjones1730]

My wife said she didn't like my tone, I'll give this a shot

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Hope it helps!

[@tedtedsen269]

tuned to G SHARP what is that on the drum dial 91-92

[@MasonCroneMusic]

I've never used a drum dial, I believe it's somewhere around there though.

[@gp-banjo]

Hey Mason. I got a used banjo that didn't come with a head tightening wrench. Do you think I could use a ratchet?

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Yeah, just anything that fits will work

[@gp-banjo]

@@MasonCroneMusic thanks a bunch Mason!

[@MartinGieser]

If you have a open back banjo should you adjust the head

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Yep, it'll have the same effect.

[@suzanneloomis]

How do I improve left hand technique to sound prettier?

[@MasonCroneMusic]

The main thing is practicing slowly and making sure you have everything correct and no buzzing notes. Also try to make your hand as relaxed as you can. Speed will come as you get more experience.

[@suzanneloomis]

Thanks! This helps!

[@unsurprisingly]

👍🏼👍🏼❤️❤️😘

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Thanks for watching Gary!

[@unsurprisingly]

@@MasonCroneMusic I tried to watch everyone.. You're welcome buddy love you dude

[@alvincook8888]

Ive noticed, a big difference using expensive strings, not expensive bango. Unless you can afford it!

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Expensive banjo will make a much bigger difference than expensive strings.

[@johnpaulhumphrey2981]

#1 Tip to improve tone. Get an expensive banjo.

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Actually, that isn't the #1 tip haha. I've heard MANY people with top of the line banjos and they still have bad habits and therefore don't sound great. You can't really take advantage of an expensive instrument's tone until you're more experienced.

[@rodhilton451]

I like your playing and teaching but the worst examples ever of tuning your banjo head bud

[@MasonCroneMusic]

How would you do it? I don't understand what was wrong with it 🤷‍♂️

[@rodhilton451]

@MasonCroneMusic regal tip torque wrench 🔧 the way your doing it could allow more tension on one side than the other which in return will not give you the bottom sound or the higher sound your looking for there's no way to tell how much tension your putting on the head the way your doing it bud

[@MasonCroneMusic]

@@rodhilton451 There's no way to tell how much tension you're putting on it with that method either... You need a drum dial to truly be able to tell, lots of people use those. Also just making a small, equal adjustment on each one when the head is already tight is how most people do it. When putting on a new head you need to tighten them across from each other but not when just making a small adjustment

[@rodhilton451]

@MasonCroneMusic what ??? Its a torque wrench for banjos what are you talking about?