Banjo Tuner

The banjo is a North American string instrument with origins dating back to the instruments of West Africa, such as the Kora, knowledge of which was brought to the Americas by enslaved people in the 17th century.

The banjo formed an integral part of early African American traditional music, it subsequently went on to be used in the development of many other types of genres, most notably folk, country, Appalachian and bluegrass music.

The classic and most common style of banjo has five strings, with a shorter 5th string that is the highest in pitch. It is normally tuned to open tuning and played with a plectrum or finger picked to give it that distinctive "twangy" sound. Open tuning suits the banjo as it is a drone instrument (the same constant note can be played throughout, usually on the top string).

Over the past few years the six-string banjo has also seen a rise in popularity. In contrast to the classic five-string banjo the six-string banjo consist of a six-string guitar neck which is attached to a bluegrass or plectrum banjo body. This type of banjo can be easier to play for people who already know the guitar as there is no need to learn new fingerings or tunings.

There are also many other types of banjo such as the tenor banjo, four stringed banjo, and banjolele. Once you've mastered the classics why not give these others a try?!

Most 5-string banjo players utilize Open G (G4 D3 G3 B3 D4) as their standard tuning. The name Open G comes from the fact that when you strum the open strings in this tuning, you get a G chord without fretting any notes.

But there are alternative tunings preferred by different 5-string and 4-string tenor banjo players because they provide a unique tonal quality to their sound. Here are some examples of typical alternate tunings and variations:

1. G Modal (G, D, G, C, D) - This is another commonly used 5-string banjo tuning. The second string is tuned up to a C note, close to standard G tuning. Also known as "Mountain Minor Tuning" or "Sawmill Tuning." It has a retro vibe to it and is frequently used to play folk music.



2. Standard Tenor Tuning (G, C, D, A) - This is the standard tenor banjo tuning. Because of its snappy twang, this tuning became popular among jazz performers.



3. Irish Tenor Tuning (G, D, A, E) - This tuning is also in fifths but lower in pitch. The Irish tenor tuning is popular because it resembles the Irish fiddle. To avoid muddying the low pitch, strings with higher tension and instrument adjustments are required.



4. Chicago Tuning (D, G, B, E)- This tuning resembles a guitar's top four strings so that one can use the same chords and scales as a guitar. This tuning offers a deep, rich tone. However, transposing certain music can be problematic on this.



5. Adapted Jazz Tuning (D, A, E, B) - This tuning is a jazz adaptation that is also prevalent in Irish folk music. The strings are kept under high tension, so they can snap easily. But it lacks the low-end of other banjos.

Our online tuner supports most 5-string banjos. Tuning options include:

1. Open G - g, D, G, B, D.



2. Double C - g, C, G, C, D.



3. G Sawmill - g, D, G, C, D.



4. Drop C - g, C, G, B, D.



5. Open D - f#, D, F#, A, D.

1. Microphone-based Tuner: Our online tuners are microphone-based: they capture the sound of the banjo or other instrument with a microphone and then utilize an algorithm to calculate its pitch. App-based tuners in mobile phones and laptops use similar algorithms. It’s a straightforward and convenient method of tuning a banjo.



2. Vibration-based Physical Tuner:A physical tuner measures the vibrations produced by the strings. It mounts to the banjo’s headstock and uses piezo sensors. They have a small graphic display to guide you while tuning. These are great for live performers but are unnecessarily expensive for home practice.



3. By Ear:The traditional method of tuning the banjo is by ear, but it takes a lot of practice and ear training. Beginners may find this challenging. Hence, beginners should use precise tuners to train their ears to the proper pitch.

Tuning your banjo by ear is a great way to improve your ear’s music training. For this guide, we’re assuming a 5-string banjo in Open G tuning. Here’s how you tune your banjo by ear:

1. First, tune the lowest string (4th) string using a reference (our online tuner, a tuning fork, or a piano).



2. Pluck the fifth fret of the D string (a G note) and the open G string together. Tune the G string until it resonates with the D string.



3. Now pluck the fourth fret of the G string and the open B string together, then tune accordingly.



4. Pluck the third fret of the B string and the open D string together, and tune the D string.



5. Finally, pluck the fifth fret of the D string and the open G string (fifth string) together, and tune it.

Every banjo is made of wood and metal, and they have several nuts and bolts. These can come loose over time and impact the tuning stability.

The most common culprits are the tuning pegs, which can get loosened due to wear and tear. For this, simply tighten the screws that hold the tuning pegs.

Banjos may also lose tune due to differences in temperature and humidity. We recommend storing the banjo safely in its bag when not being used to avoid drastic changes.

Old strings may also cause tuning instability. If they start to rust, you should replace them with fresh strings.

And if all else fails, you should take it to a professional luthier. We do not recommend making repairs yourself.