Banjo vs Mandolin – Which one prevails?
Over the years, I’ve had a number of potential students ask, “Should I take up banjo or mandolin? Which one is easier?”
First off, never take up an instrument based on which one is easier. Pick an instrument based on which one whose sound you enjoy the most. After all, you’re going to be stuck with this for awhile. We hope anyway!
Really, the only time your primary concern should be difficulty is if you’re buying for a small child. Certain instruments fit their hands better. I’ll discuss this below and give you my recommendations.
Mandolin vs Banjo – Comparison
EASY NAVIGATION:
- Number of Strings
- Tuning
- Size of the Instrument
- Required Hand Strength
- Price
- Unique Techniques
- Additional Repertoire Considerations
- Which one is more Difficult?
- Versatility
- Which one is best for a child?
Number of Strings
The most common banjo has 5-strings. This is the type of banjo used for playing bluegrass. There are also 4 string banjos used for dixieland and Irish music. The most common mandolin has 8 strings, but it’s really 4 strings that are each doubled. Like the banjo, there are other varieties as well. For example, there is a 10-string mandolin.
Tuning
Your standard 5-string banjo is tuned g D G B D. There are no consistent intervals between the strings on a banjo. In short, this means that fingering scales on the banjo is a bit more challenging.
Your standard 8-string mandolin is tuned G D A E (the same as the violin). It is tuned in FIFTHS. The great thing about this is if you play a G scale on the mandolin, a D scale is easily accomplished by simply moving down a set of strings, using the same fingerings. Quite helpful when transposing songs up or down a perfect fifth.
Jokes abound for both the banjo and mandolin, as far as keeping them in tune goes. Why? Both instruments win awards for the world’s worst to keep in tune! Haha. The banjo has so many moveable parts (the head, neck, strings) that it goes out of tune a good bit. Especially if you live in a humid environment. Mandolin has a pesky A string. For whatever reason, it’s notorious for going out of tune. Not to mention, with mandolin, you get double the fun with the doubled strings!
Size of the Instruments
Mandolins are smaller than banjos. They do make 3/4 sized banjos (for kids) that begin approaching the size of mandolins; however, they are still larger. For a child, the mandolin is easier to hold. It balances better in your lap. I usually recommend my beginning banjo students purchase a strap to help hold the instrument up.
If you are traveling around a lot, the mandolin has the advantage of being super easy to carry around.
Required Hand Strength
The banjo is easier on the fingers. This is because the weight of the strings is lighter. In addition, the string action of a banjo is typically lower than that of a mandolin.
Mandolin is more difficult to press the strings down. Personally, I find the mandolin even more difficult than the guitar to fret, unless the mandolin has very low action. At the same time, I’ve taught a number of older women over the years with incredibly small hands that learned to play mandolin just fine. So don’t let this be a deterrent.
Price
You can get a beginner mandolin and banjo for around the same price. $300 is a good entry-level price. I have seen some extremely cheap mandolins (I’m talking $75). However, please do not buy one of these. They aren’t made well and you’ll sell it soon after you learn to play. Cost should not influence the decision here because they are about the same.
Unique Techniques
Mandolin has what’s called the tremolo. A tremolo is where you use the pick- going up and down really fast. This is how the mandolin emulates a long/sustaining sound. Here is a lesson video on mandolin tremelo
Banjo has right-hand roll patterns. The most unique thing about the banjo is the drone string at the top. Here is a beginner video I did showing rolls:
Additional Repertoire Considerations
One advantage the mandolin has is that it’s tuned like the violin. What this means is, you can pick up A LOT of violin sheet music and play it on the mandolin. Mandolin is easier to sight-read on.
Banjo has a history filled with TAB for the last century. Banjo players at one time could sight-read pretty well, but much of that has fallen by the way side. There is very little published banjo music in standard notation. You’ll have to make your own way here as far as methods go.
For me, banjo is much harder to learn sight-reading on. Why? The un-symmetrical fingerings.
I mention this, because if you learn to sight-read, you have an ENTIRE world of music at your hands that doesn’t exist in TAB form. Think popular music, think movie music, and think classical music.
Which one is more difficult?
NEITHER ONE! Both of these instruments are as easy or as difficult as you want them to be. I always laugh at blogs online that talk about how easy the banjo is. It’s not.
To paraphrase Tom Hanks:
“If it was, everyone would do it.”
I do think the mandolin is INITIALLY a bit easier. Why? You can play songs on the mandolin with two fingers and a lot of open strings. It’s easier to hold. Banjo can feel awkward for some in the beginning.
Banjo involves more chording to play melodies. The right-hand roll patterns are less intuitive than using the pick to hit the strings. Using the plectrum to strike down at the strings is usually easier to get the hang of than playing with metal picks hanging off of your fingers.
At the same time, playing backup and chords on the mandolin becomes more difficult once you get past the open simple chords. For example, an A chord on the mandolin is much more difficult than an A chord on a banjo (On the banjo, it’s a barre chord…only using one finger). The mandolin is similar to the guitar in this regard. As a teacher, I’ve observed people struggling through strumming basic chords for quite some time.
As far as playing with others-The banjo is a louder instrument. It may be more difficult to join in at a local jam in the initial stages. Mandolin, if you know some basic chords, you can sit quietly in the background and attempt to strum along in certain keys.
Versatility of Mandolin vs. Banjo
If you want to play bluegrass, neither one has the advantage. If you want to play jazz, the banjo might be more adapt at playing extended jazz chords. They both really only have FOUR strings. Banjo has five, but the fifth string isn’t typically used for chording. Banjo does have a prior history with dixieland jazz, while mandolin doesn’t have much of a jazz music history.
Classical- I’m giving the advantage to the mandolin. Historically, Vivaldi wrote for the mandolin, as well as many others. Banjo just doesn’t have much classical music history or literature. Not to say you can’t play classical on the banjo. Check out John Bullard or Bela Fleck to hear classical banjo!
In addition, banjoists of the parlor and classic era in the late 1800’s were playing things like “Flight of the Bumblebee” and “William Tell Overture” on the banjo.
Rock? It’s a toss up. Led Zeppelin used mandolin on some of their songs….. Banjo has a lot of twang. However, you can make it sound more rockfish, especially if you buy an electric banjo.
People like Chris Thile and Mike Marshall use the mandolin for all sorts of music. Even including Brazilian choro music. Bela Fleck has introduced the banjo to almost every type of music possible.
If you’re a singer-songwriter and want a new instrument to accompany your voice, both work well. I’d say the mandolin is slightly easier to strum and sing at the same time.
Is the banjo or mandolin best for a child?
I usually tell everyone that I only take banjo students 10 years and older. Younger than that and they have some trouble holding the instrument, unless you buy them a 3/4 size banjo (not easy to find!). I have had students as young as 8 years old. The physical difficulties depend on the child. How large are their hands and bodies?
The mandolin is a lot like the ukulele in that it’s easier for a child to hold. The only problem with the mandolin is it requires a good bit of left-hand strength, so that’s the toughest part for them.
Durability is an issue when it comes to kids. A mandolin is more fragile as most of it is constructed of wood. Banjo has a good number of metal components; therefore, it takes a hit better. At the same time, you must be careful with the neck. Any drops or hits directly to the neck and it can cause serious damage to the instrument.
Concluding Words
It’s hard to go wrong with either instrument. Most music stores will let you play and hold these instruments. I might suggest visiting your local store and seeing which one feels better to you as well before making a decision. Wish you the best!
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