Banjos can be difficult to keep in tune, but here are a few helpful tips that may assist in this effort.
One way of practicing tuning by hand or with an electronic tuner can help you learn to discern whether a string is going up or down when turning the tuning peg.
D Tuning
The standard banjo tuning is Open G, but there are other possibilities available to players. D tuning was popularized by Earl Scruggs when playing Reuben. Mixolydian tuning can work well when tuning for tunes in keys of C or G; and Dorian gives an unsettlingly haunting modal sound that works well when accompanying Celtic and Appalachian folk songs.
One way to make playing in less-used keys easier is using a fifth string capo, which lets you retune the drone for any key you wish to play in. Another option is a second string capo which enables switching between banjo 5 string tunings with minimal adjustment needed.
Pete Seeger created a long-neck banjo that enabled him to drop its fifth string for lower tone and thus play in more keys. If you would like to try making your own banjo like Pete did, his banjo books include instructions on making one yourself.
G Tuning
G tuning is the standard banjo tuning, placing all four strings with lower pitches of G while tuning the fifth string up high G, so that it allows you to easily play in most folk, country and pop keys without needing to change tune frequently or capo your instrument.
Your fifth string capo can help achieve this by sitting near the second fret on your banjo neck, providing semi-permanent mini-capos. You can make one yourself or purchase them in packs from most music stores – these cost only a few dollars each!
Some players choose a light gauge banjo string that produces a high G sound when fretted, as this helps them easily strum chords with higher tension strings and don’t mind having them on all five frets – plus it helps balance tension evenly, making playing more comfortable overall.
C Tuning
C is one of the most widely used banjo tunings, also referred to as “drop C.” This tuning lowers the second string from G to C by one step – often used when performing clawhammer style music as it provides lower keys with deeper roots/tonics that may not exist with open G tunings. Earl Scruggs often used C as his standard banjo tuning on his classic old recordings.
Tuning a banjo to C tuning involves first tuning the third and fifth strings to match pitch, before dropping the 2nd string down to C at its 1st fret of the third string.
Banjo pickers may employ the use of a 5th string capos (also referred to as fifth string capo) in order to quickly switch keys when playing with other musicians. A rail spike from a model train is secured at the fifth fret and attached directly onto their neck banjo’s neck capo for this purpose.
A Tuning
Like most stringed instruments, banjos do not feature an internal tuning device; therefore it is crucial that a tuner be provided or you be able to tune by ear. This is particularly important if you plan to play along with others or listen to old records featuring different tuning (for instance Flatt and Scruggs recordings are tuned up by half step).
G tuning for banjo 5 strings is the most commonly used option, sounding similar to standard guitar tuning and making learning it quick and simple as you can transfer all of the chord shapes and scales you have learned while playing guitar to banjo playing.
G Modal Tuning, commonly referred to as sawmill tuning or mountain minor, is another popular banjo tuning. This variation on G tuning differs only by having its second string tuned down from C to G; this makes the instrument sound like a G sus4 chord when played open and gives it its distinctive modal sound; Earl Scruggs often employed this tuning.
B Tuning
The B tuning for banjo is similar to G tuning but with lower pitch on its melody string. This tuning works best for songs in C and D keys; however, other playing techniques may require using an additional capo (known as “spiking”) on fifth string to raise pitch up to an A allowing them to play in goofy keys without needing retuning or long neck. Pete Seeger popularized this practice.
Many banjo players enjoy expanding their repertoire by exploring alternative tunings, such as Double C and Sawmill tunings. Some require only slight changes from Open G, like Double C or Sawmill tunings.
Drop C, tuned gCGBD, is another alternative banjo 5-string tuning that offers deeper resonance. To make switching between alternate tunings simpler and quicker, we advise purchasing a clip-on tuner – these handy tools are used by musicians everywhere to tune their guitars, and are easily attached to banjo headstocks as well. Sweetwater offers an assortment of electronic tuners to meet each player’s individual requirements.
E Tuning
Switching from open G to E tuning on a banjo is simple: Just adjust your string gauges until all four strings have the same tension, and you’re all set!
No matter the instrument or your skill level, it’s always advisable to develop your sense of pitch so that when a string goes out of tune you know without needing an electronic tuner.
Drop-C tuning, whereby the low D is dropped down to C, is an ideal tuning for bluegrass music – Earl Scruggs was known to use it frequently! Strum the banjo without fretting any string and you’ll hear what sounds like a D chord; also suitable for songs requiring high Bb-flat fifth string tunings when required (and just capo it to an A). By switching it around to other instruments or songs in your repertoire while keeping all old-time favorites tuned similarly! This method can add an element of variety into your repertoire!
F Tuning
People choose different banjo string tunings for various reasons. Some are chosen based on musical needs or convenience; some based on tradition; and still others purely by personal choice. Whatever their motive, tuning a banjo by ear requires attentive listening skills.
Tuning with a digital tuner may be faster and simpler, but it will not teach you how to tune your banjo by ear. Retuning between songs is common among bluegrass and old-time musicians and will also develop your listening skills.
C tuning (gCDbD) offers another variation on G tuning that lowers its pitch by an entire step, which makes it suitable for old-time music and allows open G chords without fretting them.
D tuning (gDbAeC), another fifth-style tuning variant, is slightly easier for beginning musicians. Flatpickers often opt for it; clawhammer picking may not work so well in it. Chicago tuning (gDGAD), however, adds a drone tone which may prove beneficial when used for certain styles of music.
G Minor
The banjo is an extremely resonant instrument with each string having the potential to produce multiple notes when strung, and different tunings can yield dramatic differences in sound. Alternate tunings often provide players with new chord formations and ways of playing songs.
G minor is an effective tuning for creating tension when playing banjo, often used in old time songs and providing a dark tone. You should experiment with rhythms and tempos when performing this form.
One of the greatest benefits of experimenting with alternate banjo 5 string tunings is how they can develop your sense of pitch. This is particularly helpful if using an electronic tuner to tune your banjo, since having an accurate pitch sense will enable you to avoid making errors while tuning, as well as make transitioning more easily between alternate tunings.