A 5-string banjo and a tenor banjo have differences in terms of structure, tuning, and playing styles. A 5-string banjo is typically tuned to an open G tuning and has a long neck and a resonator. The five strings are comprised of four short drone strings and one melody string. The tenor banjo, on the other hand, has four strings and is typically tuned to CGBD or CGDA. It has a shorter neck and is played with a flat pick or strumming hand.
In terms of playing styles, the 5-string banjo is commonly associated with bluegrass and traditional American folk music, whereas the tenor banjo is more commonly associated with jazz and Irish traditional music. Jazz tenor banjo is played with a plectrum and usually involves a combination of chords and single-note runs. The 5-string banjo, on the other hand, is played with a thumb pick and index finger and is known for its intricate fingerpicking and rapid-fire strumming.
It is possible to play a 5-string banjo in a jazz style, however, it requires a significant amount of skill and adaptation. The player would need to retune the instrument to a suitable tuning for jazz, such as CGBD, and would also need to adjust their playing style to accommodate the different tuning and the fact that the 5-string banjo has an extra string. Additionally, the player would need to be familiar with the techniques and musical vocabulary specific to jazz, such as chord progressions, scales, and improvisational strategies.
In conclusion, while it is possible to play a 5-string banjo in a jazz style, it is not a straightforward process. The player would need to have a high level of skill and versatility in order to effectively adapt their playing style to the different instrument and musical genre. As with any musical instrument, the key to successful performance is a deep understanding of the instrument, the music, and the techniques required to bring the two together.
Source: “The Tenor Banjo Chord Bible” by Wayne Erbsen, “Bluegrass Banjo from A to Z” by Bill Evans.
