How to Identify the Parts of a Banjo

Each part of a musical instrument has either a structural purpose or a sound purpose. On the banjo, as with any stringed instrument, the vibration of the strings is what makes the sound but the other parts of the instrument modulate the exact pitch and tone that is heard.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Locate the resonator or sounding board of the banjo, the neck and the peg board. These are the three main parts of the banjo. They are each made up of other minor parts and as we go, you will identify each of them in turn.
2. Begin with the large round resonator or sounding board of the banjo. This is a circular piece of laminated wood that has a skin stretched across it and tightened to be able to amplify the vibrations that are given off when a string is struck.
3. Examine the rods and nuts surrounding the laminated circular head. These adjust the sound and tone of the banjo by adjusting the tension on the skin.
4. Look at the skin from the underside of the banjo. If there is a ring of metal attached to the wood, this is the tone ring. It gives the banjo a more ringing tone. A typical tone ring is made of brass, bronze, steel or wood.
5. Find the two rods stretching across the inside of the drum from the end to the neck of the banjo. These are the coordinator rods and serve mainly to attach the neck to the head of the banjo.
6. Identify the last two pieces of the banjo by examining the end of the banjo. There is a tail piece and a bridge. The bridge is typically made of wood, sits on the face of the head, and keeps the strings from touching the head. At the edge of the head, there is a plate that all the strings attach to, that keeps the tension of the strings tight and attaches them to the base of the banjo.
7. See the long straight neck of the banjo. Frets, or thin metal strips cross the length of the neck. You can change the note of each string by placing a finger at each fret. This shortens the string and changes the note heard. Most newer banjos also have a fifth string that only reaches half way up the neck of the banjo.
8. Examine the end of the neck away from the head of the banjo and you will find the peg board. This is the other point that the strings attach to the banjo. You use these pegs to adjust and tune the banjo.

Tips & Warnings

• The assembly and fine tuning of a banjo should be performed by a professional to obtain the best sound quality.