Which Type of Banjo Strings Should I Buy? [How To - Clawhammer Banjo] 

Yes. Patience and persistence will get you there...keep it up!

You're welcome. Give this set a try and I think you'll be good to go!

Thanks for joining the conversation and sharing your helpful tips, Tony!

You're very welcome.

I use Nylgut on one of my banjos. It's not my specialty and I'm always experimenting with different sets but lately I've really enjoyed the Aqulla brand Minstrel Banjo set.

Good question, Sally Ann! Yes, after you've built that strong foundational rhythmic strum ... then ... you can start breaking from the strict pattern to add the occasional variation and/or embellishment. It is, indeed, like a drum beat but not one that needs to , ultimately, remain static and unchanging. It is 'foundational', therefore once it's properly established, you can feel free to start 'building' on the foundation. Hope that helps!

In my experience, neither medium or light strings are necessarily better than the other for playing hammer ons. There are a LOT of factors that go into whether you're getting proper sustain from you instrument when playing hammer ons. Technique and finger strength are important but also the set up of your banjo, not to mention the quality of the instrument overall. Keep experimenting, practice your hammers slowly and practice them often. Building up dexterity and strength in the fingers is always a good idea. If you get a chance, try playing other banjos and compare the results. In short, keep practicing and keep experimenting. You'll eventually either get to the bottom of the issue by troubleshooting and experimenting or (if it's a 'finger fitness' issue) you'll overcome it by consistently building up the necessary strength and coordination. good luck!

I use Nylgut on one of my banjos. I really like Aquila's nylgut strings. Lately I've really enjoyed the Aquila brand Minstrel Banjo set.

Thanks for letting me know about the hijacked link...looking into it! Also, yes, it's weird that D'addario has recently changed their packaging so that almost all of the sets look about the same...strange move. I can't even tell my mandolin strings from my banjo strings until I read the fine print on the package...!

Weird. I got rid of the shortened url but it still went to spam. Then after a couple more tests it's actually going to the correct page. Gonna have to talk to my web guy about this one...thanks again for letting me know...!

Yes, I have searched online before but it seems that no one is quite sure how that sort of exploit works. It might be a javascript on the page that is vulnerable to being taken over somehow. Who knows. I thought that a vpn service with an extra added DNS firewall as well as an ad blocker and a tracking blocker would do the trick, but apparently not. I wonder what I’ll do with the 30 or so iPhones I have won so far. 😜

@@randomscandinavian6094 Aww, man. You got 30 iPhones? All I got was an offer for 'man problem' pills...

I tried a set many years ago (maybe fifteen or so) and all I remember is that, at the time, I did not prefer them . Can't speak to them much more than that since I haven't had a fresh experience with those particular strings. Is that what you prefer?

@@PlayBetterBanjo Well I bought my first banjo and broke the high D string instantly, and the Ernie Ball strings had the fastest shipping so I chose them. Think I'll go with the D'addario strings next time though, thanks!

​@@juanmacias7080 Sounds good. Best of luck in your new banjo adventures. Let me know if you have any questions along the way...

@@PlayBetterBanjo Will do, thanks again!

@@juanmacias7080 There are many fewer actual string manufacturers than venders. A lot of what different brands of strings are is different packaging and merchandizing of strings. What counts is gauge and the material the string is made out of. The first string and the fifth string which are always the same size are the only ones that ever break. Learn to have an extra one around, particularly if you go out to play somewhere.

That's a whole other can o worms. Reckon I should make a vid on that some time soon but I'll give you my quick recommendation here: I use Aquila brand 'Classic Banjo' Nylgut strings and if I want a deep low tubby old time minstrel kind of sound...I use their 'Minstrel banjo' set. Hope that helps!

In the case of the 5 string banjo, the skinnier gauged, shorter length 5th string sits on top of the instrument and acts primarily as a 'drone' string. This type of string arrangement can be traced backed to the banjo's roots in West Africa and the Caribbean. There's a short answer for ya that probably opens up some rabbit holes for you to explore.

@@ryanspearman2620 thanks thats some good history, but is there a reason for it ?

​@@DillonisEpic The reason for the 5th string, musically speaking, is primarily as a 'drone'. The reason that it is shorter, is to accommodate the particularly high pitch while maintaining a reasonable string gauge (width). Maybe that answers your question. If not, then please add some specificity to your future inquiry, my friend.