The original banjos had five strings, and this is still the most common type. The fifth string starts at the fifth fret and is three–quarters the length of the other strings. It's usually tuned to a higher pitch than any of the other four strings.
Four–string banjos are often built like ukuleles, and play exactly like them. They have a bright sound, and are popular for traditional jazz.
A six–string banjo is basically a guitar that looks and sounds like a banjo. It uses the same tuning as a guitar, and is popular with those who can play a guitar and want a banjo sound. Six–string banjos have become increasingly popular since the 1990s.
© Haydn Thompson 2017