Banjo and Singing

[johnra]

I was wondering, can you strum and or pick a banjo and sing a the same time?

Can you play just the melody line with a few extra licks on a banjo? What does it sound like?

[Bob1131]

Originally Posted by johnra

I was wondering, can you strum and or pick a banjo and sing a the same time?

Can you play just the melody line with a few extra licks on a banjo? What does it sound like?

Sure, it's the same as singing while strumming or picking a guitar, uke, mando, lute or any of a variety of stringed instruments! That's not to say that it sounds, good, but people do it all the time!

[HHP]

Originally Posted by johnra

I was wondering, can you strum and or pick a banjo and sing a the same time?

Can you play just the melody line with a few extra licks on a banjo? What does it sound like?

Ralph Stanley, Osborne Brothers, Pete Seeger, Earl Scruggs, David Holt, Granpa Jones, and more I can't think of play various styles of banjo and sing, pretty common.

[wilbarger]

Minnie Pearl used to do it.

[Bruce E]

Grandpa Jones, String Bean, Doc Watson, Bruce Evans... they all do it.

(That's the only way I'm ever going to get my name mentioned in the same list as those people. )

[shawlie]

Originally Posted by johnra

Can you play just the melody line with a few extra licks on a banjo? What does it sound like?

Banjo is a pretty melodious instrument. Lots of songs let the banjo play the melody, with filler notes when needed. I'm sure there's lots of examples on YouTube to hear how it sounds (both clawhammer and bluegrass, as well as other styles of playing).

The Banjo Hangout has lots and lots of good sound clips as well.