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Tuning Your Tenor Banjo

The tenor banjo is traditionally tuned similar to a violin/fiddle or a mandolin in intervals...only it's tuned one fifth lower....it's tuned in fifths starting with the C string as the lowest string: C G D A (some tenor banjos, such as the Irish Tenor, is normally tuned to what is considered an Irish tuning: G D A E)...In these lessons, we're going to focus on the traditional tenor banjo tuning: C G D A...we will still be covering tradtional Irish music along with other genres of music only in the traditional tenro banjo tuning.

Here's a diagram illustrating this tuning sequence with each string's note denoted along with the corresponding tuners:

Now for the different methods of tuning...

1. Tuning the tenor banjo to itself. First you'll need a reference such as a tuning fork, piano or guitar. Once you have one of the strings tuned properly you only need to fret this string at the 7th fret to match up the string below. For example: Tune your C string to an outside reference...maybe a guitar that's up to pitch. Match up the C string to the 3rd fret of the low A string of the guitar. Now, fret the C string at the 7th fret to get the pitch for the G string. Follow this by fretting the 7th fret of the G string to get the D string and the 7th fret of the D string to get the A string tuned up properly.

2. Tuning the tenor banjo to an electronic tuner. This is the method I recommend to all beginners since it's the easiest approach and the most accurate approach. There are a variety of tuners available on the market. Be sure to get one that reads octave notes since many of the tuners are designed for guitar or bass. My suggestion would be the Korg Chromatic Tuner.

Click here for more info on the highly recommended Korg Chromatic Electronic Tuner

Most electronic tuners have an automatic mode where the user can see both an LCD readout depicting a needle that centers when properly tuned and the note being played. There are usually LEDs that also give a green or red light depending on whether you've reached the designated note. I highly recommend that all beginners have an electronic tuner as a reference. This is also considerate to others who have to listen to you practice. When you're accurately tuned, it's difficult to hit a sour note.

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