The Friendly Banjo isn’t just a beginner banjo — it’s a first string instrument designed to give kids a confident start in music. Whether your child goes on to play guitar, violin, mandolin, ukulele, or something else entirely, The Friendly Banjo lays the groundwork.

One of the biggest barriers to a child learning an instrument is not feeling successful soon enough. The Friendly Banjo solves this problem instantly. This instrument was designed to be unintimidating, allowing you, the parent, to play real music on day one and show your child how simple and fun learning music can be.

Not everyone sees color the same way as most people, and we want the Friendly Banjo to live up to its name — friendly for everyone. These new fret shapes make it easier for players who experience color differently to learn and play without needing to rely solely on our color-coded frets or Play by Color tablatures.

Finding a meaningful birthday gift for a child can be tricky. You want something fun, but also something that lasts longer than a week. That’s why we made The Friendly Banjo — a simple, USA-made, three-string banjo designed to help kids and parents make music together.

If you’re a parent or grandparent searching for the best ukulele for kids, you’re not alone. Ukuleles are often the “default” first instrument — they’re small, affordable, and approachable. But what if we told you there’s an instrument that’s even better for little hands, easier to play, and more durable than a ukulele?

Meet the Friendly Banjo — an instrument designed to help kids (and grown-ups) fall in love with making music.

I created our Play-By-Color Tablatures to make learning to play songs incredibly easy and intuitive for all ages. I've worked with 4-year-olds and 80-year-olds alike, and within a matter of minutes, they've all been able to not only read these tablatures but also use them to play new songs in real time.

At Friendly Banjos, we’re thrilled to partner with U.S.-based instrument manufacturer Magic Fluke. Their expertise and passion for craftsmanship align perfectly with our mission to make high-quality, accessible banjos available to musicians everywhere.