1. Change your strings frequently!
This is probably the most important advice when it comes to changing your strings. You must keep a fresh set of strings on your banjo. This accomplishes several things. First, it keeps you happy while your playing. There’s nothing more frustrating than playing on a set of dead banjo strings. Secondly, it helps you learn quicker. You’ll find that you learn new songs quickly when your playing on a hot sounding set of strings.
I recommend that you change the full set at least once per month. This is especially true when you are learning or trying to progress as a student. Humidity, finger oil, and dirt can cause rust and deterioration on your strings. Once it starts, it usually goes down hill quickly.
2. One hand width of space.
Ok, when you stretch out the string from the tailpiece to the peg head you want to create some slack in the string before tightening it down on the tuner. The reason we do this is because it creates enough string to wind around the tuner. How much slack do you need? One hand width or approximately 3 to 4 inches.
When you stretch the string from groove to groove (bridge to nut) you’ll push the string sideways to the right or left approximately 3 to 4 inches or one hand width to get the proper slack. Once you get the slack right then put the tail through the hole of the tuner and wrap it half way around the post once, go underneath the string where it entered and bend it straight up at a 90 degree angle on the other side. Now start tightening until it’s in tune.
3. Clip the tails.
Have you ever seen people walking around a jam session with big loops coiled up on the peg head of their banjo. I recommend clipping the tails flush with the top of the tuner. It’s just keeps everything cleaner and makes your banjo easier to play.
Do you have some string changing techniques to share?
How often do you change your banjo strings?
