How to Tune Your Banjo
Tuning to Another Instrument
If you are playing along with another instrument, it is essential that your banjo be in tune with that instrument. Tune the open strings of your banjo to the corresponding notes of the accompanying instrument. E.g., To tune to a piano, tune the open 4th string to the D note on the piano, as shown on the keyboard diagram. Then tune your banjo to itself from this note, using the method outlined in the next section, or tune each string of your banjo to those notes of the piano shown on the keyboard diagram.
Tuning the Banjo to Itself
If you do not have another instrument to tune to, you can tune the banjo to itself using the following method. However, this usually requires many months of practice. You will probably need your music teacher or musician friend to help you tune when you are learning.
- Place a left finger on the 4th string (thickest string) at the fifth fret, and play the string.
- Play the open 3rd string (a G note). If this note sounds the same as the note you played on the 4th string at the fifth fret, the A string is in tune.
- If the open G string sounds higher, it means that it is sharp. Turn the tuning key slowly in a clockwise direction. This will lower the pitch of the string. Play the two strings again and compare the notes. Keep doing this until the open G string sounds the same as the D string at the fifth fret.
- If the open G string sounds lower, it means that it is flat. Turn the tuning key slowly in a counter-clockwise direction. This will raise the pitch of the string. Play the two strings again and compare the notes. Keep doing this until the open G string sounds the same as the D string at the fifth fret.
- Tune the open 2nd string (a B note), to the note on the fourth fret of the 3rd string, (as shown in the diagram) using the method previously outlined.
- Tune the open 1st string (a D note), to the note on the third fret of the 2nd string.
- Tune the open 5th string (a high G note), to the note on the fifth fret of the 1st string.
