Talk:Banjo music

Where's the 4 stringers at?

This article is ridiculously biased towards 5 string banjos in every way to the point that its factually inaccurate. I plan to make changes, anyone else feel the same? --Scalhotrod - Just your average banjo playing, drag racing, cowboy... (talk) 20:30, 6 September 2013 (UTC)

The article is not baised towards the 5-string, as it does mention the others. It does focus mostly on the 5-string, however, on the basis that the five-string banjo is most prevalant instrument in banjo music. You see, the four string banjo is basically built to be strummed with a pick for rhythm, while the five string, while being picked rapidly with fingers, is showcased as the lead. The fifth string is absolutely fundamental for lead rolls, and very few 4-stringers play lead. Even so, the 4 string, 6 string, banjolele, and banjo bass guitars, are still fundamental components of banjo music, just not as frequenly featured as the five string. See [1] for more details. Carwile2 ^{*Shoot me a message*} 02:52, 7 September 2013 (UTC)

Car, thanks for your opinion, but I know plenty of people (basically the entire membership of Banjos Unlimited BU which is comprised mostly of 4-string players) among others who disagree with your assertion as to who (or how many) 4-string banjoists play "lead". In fact at one of the national banjo shows that takes place tomorrow (Sunday, Sept. 8th) in California, not only does it feature entirely 4-string performers, but every act single act will have "lead players" as well. If you are a banjo player, I'm sorry but you just don't know much about or understand the greater banjo community very well. --Scalhotrod - Just your average banjo playing, drag racing, cowboy... (talk) 16:39, 7 September 2013 (UTC)

I am not saying that 4 string banjos cannot at all play lead, I am just saying that lead banjos are 5 stringers most of the time. I mean no disrespect at all to four-stringers (although 6 stringers may be of concern...just joking!) but most famous banjo players play the 5 string banjo (think Roy Clark and Earl Scruggs). But like the source says, the 5 string banjo is the standard banjo, while the four string is the tenor banjo. I could go into rudimentary music theory, as I do play the banjo. This does not necessarily mean that both can't have the same importance, after all, a banjo is a banjo. If you think otherwise, I am glad to review sources to back up your content should you provide one.

And I wanted to make a note, you are not the only one who thinks it, but my username Carwile is actually a surname from the United Kingdom area, most probably Ireland or England (you can see my article Carwile for more info). I am not particularly "wild" about cars. Thanks Carwile2 ^{*Shoot me a message*} 21:46, 7 September 2013 (UTC)