Banjo: Alternate Tunings

On Mar 15, 2010:

Your Name: Rich T.
Subject: tuning
Message: Hello,
Can I tune my 5 string to "Irish" tuning? I am very new to banjo playing and have been listening to Irish banjo on the internet. That type of music is appealing to me. The little I've read about the tuning says the strings are G-D-A-E. I guess I just wouldn't play the 5th string, right? If that is the case, it is how my 4 string bass guitar is tuned and I think I may be able to understand scales a little better.

Thank you for your help.

Greetings Rich,

Sorry I couldn't get back to you sooner.

Yes, you can tune your banjo to the G D A E tuning ... only, you'll have to gauge out the strings according to the scale length of your banjo neck ... to prevent string breakage and to prevent rattling. Notwithstanding, the 5th string will have to be omitted completely ... you can do this by removing the string entirely. Your four string bass is tuned G D A E from high to low. Irish tuning for your banjo would be from low to high G D A E. Hence, the scales you're familiar with wouldn't apply to Irish tuning.

Hope something here helps,

Mickey Cochran

Date: Thu, 16 Jan 2003 17:15:24 EST
Subject: Longneck Question

Dear Mickey,

Greetings Jack,

Glad to assist if I can:

After playing a 5-string banjo for about 6 years, I finally realized that a
lower range seemed at times to work best with my voice. A longneck banjo is
one solution, but for the time being I have tried tuning my Deering Good Time
banjo down two steps. In C tuning, which I use most often, that would be
A#FAC and F for the fifth string.

The Longneck Banjo option would be the most logical solution. In fact, Pete Seeger designed the longneck for the very same reason. He had a lower baritone voice that just didn't fit the high G tuning...and found that the E tuning worked well with his vocal range.

Or, you can opt to use your F tuning from the high G to the high D: F C F A C This essentially would then be the key of F...which is slightly more difficult for other instruments to join in on...and, may cause some rattle due to the looseness of the strings on a instrument scale designed for G tuning...

Am I missing something in thinking I can "get away with" this and simply capo
up two frets to regular C tuning? I realize this will put me rather far up
the neck for some songs I have in the past capoed up four frets to play, not
to mention putting me way up the neck for some chord positions (like a high F
when playing in C), but it is cheaper than buying a new banjo.

I believe you're okay tuning your banjo down a full step...in fact, Norman Blake has had a few recordings with a banjo tuned down such as you've done...and, in fact, it has its own character. Very different with lots of growling low end. Continue experimenting with what fits you best...you're doing fine.

Mickey

Thanks for considering this.

J. Crowther
Rutland, Vt.

Subject: i'd appreciate any advice you have regarding
Date: Tue, 21 May 2002 11:38:16 -0500

my fender b54 banjo. i want to tune it to an open d instead of the typical
open g. unfortunately, the string tension is so light at that tuning that
the neck wobbles. there is a tension rod in the body of the banjo which has
a double-nut that, i assume, can be used for adjusting the tension of the
neck, no matter what the tuning. is that right? and if it is right, should
i be adjusting the double-but tension with the strings on, or off? i'm
sorry if these are really dumb questions -- i just started playing the
instrument and i love it and, if i could tune it to a d, i'd be ecstatic.

Greetings,

You have a couple of options...however, one thing is definite, it wouldn't be recommended to adjust the truss rod or the coordinator rods in an effort to eliminate any buzzing due to re-tuning (to a lower pitch). This should be left to a qualified repair person (luthier)...changing the angle of the neck (with the coordinator rods) or the bend in the neck (with the truss rod) may leave you with an irreparable situation.

If you want to go to a lower tuning (4 half-steps under regular tuning for D), try a heavier gauge string...this will allow for a higher tension at a lower tuning minimizing potential buzzing. However, it's not recommended to use these very same heavier gauge strings to tune up to a regular G tuning or you may add too much stress on your neck.

You can also go the other direction, without altering your tuning, by capoing up your banjo to the 7th fret in G tuning, along with the 5th string proportionately at the 12th fret (requires HO nails or an extra long Shubb sliding capo), which, at this position, you'll find your banjo is in open D tuning. This would give you a high sparkling tone that adds an entirely different dimension to the sound of your banjo...great for leads and for back-up...if you're missing a mandolin in your ensemble, this works great to fill the high-end void.

Hope this helps...Mickey

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