Beginner Banjo Lessons:
How to Tune Your 5-String Banjo

Lesson 1b

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UPDATED 05/22/07

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by Mickey Cochran

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Tuning Your Banjo

You're now sitting comfortably with your banjo in your lap, and your picks are all properly fitted to your fingers. We're now ready to practice tuning our banjo. There are many approaches to tuning your banjo. We will break them down by advantage.

Standard G tuning for the banjo is:
1st String D--2nd String B--3rd String G--4th String D--5th String G

Here a Sound Sample of 5-String Open G Standard Tuning

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

1. Electronic Tuner: If you can afford it, buy and electronic tuner. This is by far the easiest way to get tuned and started. You can visually determine whether a string is out of tune by LCD readout or LED indicator...depending on the type of tuner you purchase. You'll also spare your family's ears by practicing in tune. Imagine how much more inspiring it is to learn to play when you're optimally tuned. On a banjo, since it's tuned to an open chord, you'll sound good from the start by utilizing an electronic tuner.

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2. Pitch Pipe: These are fine, except when you're just starting out, you haven't had a chance to develop your ear enough to differentiate whether a string is sharp or flat from a reference note.

3. Guitar: If you already play guitar, you can simply match the 2nd, 3rd and 4th string to your banjo's 2nd, 3rd and 4th. From here, match your 1st string to the banjo's 2nd string fretted at the 3rd. You may now tune the 5th string by matching it to the 1st fretted at the 5th.

4. Tune it to itself: If you've had no background in music this would be next to impossible, and I'd highly recommend buying and electronic tuner. If you do have a background in music, simply start by having a reference pitch. For instance, if you have a reference for the D string (4th String) you're ready to start. After tuning the D string, fret the D string and the 5th fret to get a reference for your G string (3rd string). On the G string, fret the 4th fret to get a reference for tuning the 2nd string. From here, match your 1st string to the banjo's 2nd string fretted at the 3rd. You may now tune the 5th string by matching it to the 1st fretted at the 5th.

Upon tuning to any of the above methods, you may find that your banjo still doesn't sound right. A couple of things to consider would be:

1. Bridge Placement: if the bridge is not properly placed, the intonation will be out and it will be impossible to tune. To correct this, place a ruler from the nut to the 12th fret and measure it accurately. Now, using the same measurement, place the bridge the exact same distance from the 12th fret.

2. Old Strings: if your strings are very old and rusty, you'll find it easier to tune once you've replaced them.