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This particular page was created 18/03/2004 and last updated 11/10/2005
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| | There are countless tuning alternatives for the five-string banjo. These are just a few common ones and a few especially suitable for Celtic music. Have a look at the tuning index over at The Banjo-L Homepage for a more complete overview. The list contains 5 alternative tunings. Some of them should work with regular string sets, while others might require special gauges. It's by no means a complete list of course and I'd love to hear of any other great tunings you've come across. Post a message at The message board and I'll pick it up there. | Name | Pitches | Comments | String gauges | Links |
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Standard tuning(s) | | Dropped C | g' c g b d'Like open G but with the fourth string dropped down to c. Same as the standard plectrum banjo tuning but with the added fifth string.
This is the old standard tuning. | | | | Common tuning(s) | | Open G | g' d g b d'| By far the most used tuning for the five-string banjo. Stringed tuned to a G major chord. | | | | | Open D | a' d f# a d'| Strings tuned to a D major chord. | | | | Modal tuning(s) | | Moonshine | g' d g a d'| Similar to the "modal tuning" favoured by Celtic guitarists. I haven't tried it myself, but it should be very suitable for harp style solo playing. | | | | Other tuning(s) | | Guitar | g' d g b e'| Like the four highest string on a guitar (but with a fifth string added of course). On the tenor and plectrum banjos this tuning is often called Chicago tuning. This tuning is perhaps better suited for standard Irish "fiddle style" solo banjo than most, since it's easier to reach the high a. | | | |
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