Hobbies And Interests
Percussion
Banjos work well with percussion instruments that provide a beat for songs. This includes anything from large drum sets to an individual bongo drum. While percussion is not necessary for a banjo to play, they help provide a cohesive sound that brings all of the instruments together. Percussion also provides some of the liveliness that banjo music is known for. It provides an additional foot-stomping atmosphere that helps get people on their feet and dancing.
Strings
A variety of string instruments work well with banjo music. Guitars are often seen alongside the banjo, as they are one of the most popular instrument in folk, bluegrass and country music groups. The stand-up bass creates a low tone and a bit of percussion in a group with a banjo. A violin, often called a fiddle in popular music, creates higher pitched notes that accent the twangy sound of the banjo.
Wind, Brass and Others
Wind and brass instruments are more rarely paired with a banjo, but that does not mean that they don't go well together. The clarinet and oboe have deep and rich tones that balance the sound of the stringed banjo. A saxophone or trumpet fits in well with a banjo when the music turns more bluegrass, folk or blues oriented. The accordion and harmonica are not typically matched with the banjo but when they are, they each create a lively sound with the string instrument.
Vocals
One of the main instruments that go well with the banjo is the human voice. The banjo is a friendly sounding instrument and many singers have had a good time matching their voices to the sound of it. Both male and female vocalists of different styles and ranges can sound good singing alongside a banjo. The music is often lively, but this does not have to be the case. The banjo can accompany a vocalist singing a slow song just as well as a fast one.