My First Ukulele

Discovering the Banjolele – A Unique Blend of Banjo and Ukulele

If you’re into bluegrass music then why not grab a banjolele? Learn all about this fun hybrid instrument in the article below.

Banjolele and ukulele

The banjolele is another interesting hybrid instrument that this time takes the best parts of a ukulele, and the best parts of a banjo and adds them together to create something fresh with a unique sound. 

It is an instrument that came into being during the early part of the 20th century when a combination of portability and sound projection was in high demand with many Vaudeville musicians. Read on to find out more about this awesome instrument.

Our Top Banjolele Recommendations

So, What Is a Banjolele?

The banjolele is a hybrid instrument that has a very unique sound. In simplest terms, it combines a small-scale traditional banjo body with a 16-fret ukulele neck. Its scale length is similar to that of a soprano ukulele, although you can find instruments with a scale length closer to a concert or tenor ukulele as well.

Banjoleles are versatile instruments, and you could find yourself just as much at home in a country bluegrass jam session as you would playing around a campfire surrounded by friends.

Their small size means that they are much more portable than a full-sized banjo making them much easier to travel with. Duelling banjoleles anyone?

AKLOT 23" Concert Banjolele

A great entry-level banjolele that comes bundled with loads of great accessories.

  • Reasonably priced
  • Great quality and sound
  • Includes gigbag, tuner, strap and more!

Ukulele or Banjo? How the Banjolele Compares

Like the ukulele, the banjolele is strung with nylon strings. This differs from a traditional banjo’s steel strings and makes it ideal for strumming and much gentler on the fingers of new players.

You can still get a bit of that recognizable banjo ‘twang’ with the banjolele albeit with a much softer tone. It should feel very similar to fretting a ukulele if you’ve played on before.

The body of a banjolele is also referred to as the “drum head” and consists of a stretched skin that is secured in place by a tension ring.

The tension of the skin can be modified by either tightening or loosening the screws around the side of the body to suit the particular tastes of the player. Tighter is brighter, and looser is more mellow.

Most skins these days are made out of a synthetic material however early instruments would frequently use animal skins.

Open-Backed, or Closed?

Many banjoleles these days offer the option of removing the back plate on the body. This allows you to play it either open-backed or as a closed-back resonator.

The sound quality varies between the two and depends on your own preferences. Open-back banjoleles have a more mellow sound as the sound waves are allowed to escape out the back of the instrument, even being absorbed by the player’s clothes.

Closed-back, on the other hand, uses the resonator at the back of the banjolele to help project the sound forward. This can make the instrument sound louder and lends itself well to bluegrass and rockabilly-style playing.

Whether you prefer to play open-backed or closed really depends on what sound you’re after and what suits your own tastes as a player.

Banjolele Tuning

A traditional banjo usually has five steel strings tuned to G-D-G-B-D (fifth string to first string), also known as “G-Standard Tuning”. The fifth string is typically tuned to a high G.

Fortunately for us, the banjolele is tuned in exactly the same way as a ukulele, as it also has four strings. The most common tuning is G-C-E-A (“C-tuning”) which means that if you’re coming across from the ukulele, you should have no issues in making the adjustment.

There is an alternate tuning that uses A-D-F#-B (“D-tuning”) but follows the same tuning pattern as standard C-tuning (that is: fifth, root, major third, major sixth).

It’s important to note that both tunings can be used in either linear or re-entrant tuning depending on player preference.

Why Choose a Banjolele?

  • Unique Sound: The banjolele offers a distinct and charming sound that combines the bright, percussive tones of a banjo with the sound qualities of a ukulele. Its distinctly ‘twangy’ sound will likely stand out in any musical setting.
  • Versatility: The banjolele can be used in various music genres, including folk, bluegrass, jazz, and even pop. Both rhythmic strumming techniques and intricate fingerpicking patterns allow for greater creative freedom.
  • Portability: Similar to ukuleles, banjoleles are compact and portable instruments. Their smaller size and lightweight construction make them easy to carry around, making them ideal for musicians who want to play on the go or during travel.
  • Playability: The banjolele’s fretted neck and familiar ukulele tuning make it accessible to beginners and experienced players alike. Its shorter scale length and nylon or fluorocarbon strings offer a comfortable playing experience for those looking to transition from the ukulele.
  • Aesthetics and Visual Appeal: Its unique design, with its banjo-like body and ukulele neck, exudes charm and visual appeal. You’ll definitely stand out playing this instrument for all the right reasons.

Even if you’re just curious about the instrument, we recommend you just dive in and have a go at learning how to play the banjolele.

You never know, you may find that it suits your sound and playing style better than any other instrument you’ve tried. We’re all for musical creativity and the freedom that can bring each and every one of us.

Man with a banjolele on a bench

How Do I Play the Banjolele?

Just like you would strum your ukulele to play songs, the banjolele can be played in the same way. The great thing about playing this instrument compared to a full-sized banjo, is the smaller spacing between the frets. This makes fretting much easier with your hand and is generally more comfortable (especially for those starting out).

When fretting with your fingers, try to keep your hand relaxed and only apply as much pressure as needed for the note to sound. Otherwise your hand may get tired pretty quickly.

To strum a banjolele you’re going to want to use the tip of your index finger on your strumming hand. For the downstroke, strike the strings with the fingernail. You can support the finger with your thumb by resting it on top.

As you raise the finger for the upstroke, try and use the side of your index finger as this tends to keep the hand in a more relaxed position. Try it out slowly, and then work on building up speed.

Experiment with different strumming patterns or even try incorporating some fingerpicking patterns into your playing. You may even want to add some banjo-style rolls for added flair.

Kmise 23" Concert Banjolele

An easy to play beginner banjolele that comes bundled with great accessories to help you get started.

  • Good banjolele for beginners
  • Comfortable to play
  • Includes gigbag, tuner, strap and more!

How Much Does a Banjolele Cost?

When looking for your first banjolele, there are a few things to consider before making your choice. There are a wide variety of options available to you that accommodate almost all price points, so how much you’re willing to spend is a good place to start.

Budget models can be found for under $100, while more mid-range instruments take you into the $125 to $300 price range. These are usually better in terms of build quality and finish and tend to have more well-rounded sound qualities.

High-end instruments boast superior build quality and craftsmanship but command pretty hefty price tags as a result. We’re talking the high hundreds and even into the thousands of dollars.

Ultimately you get what you pay for, and if you choose to spend big on a banjolele you’re more than likely going to get a great-sounding instrument that will last for a very long time. 

There is a banjolele out there for every budget and skill level. But like all things music related, you just won’t know what works for you until you experiment a little. So go forth and grab yourself a banjolele. We’re sure you’re bound to have a blast!

Conclusion

While this cute hybrid stringed instrument shares some of the banjo’s characteristics, its sound is much different because of the factors explained above. However, given that you get a few of those advantages from the original and you can buy it at a fraction of the price, plus enjoy the convenience of not having to learn to play and tune it, as it’s similar to the ukulele, they make purchasing a banjolele definitely worth every penny.

Jay Searle - my first ukulele copy

Jay Searle

Website Founder & Writer

Jay is a self-professed music nerd and ukulele lover. When not working on the website you’ll find him strumming along to his favorite tunes, spending time with his family, or learning to play the piano.

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