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There are several ways to tune a banjo, which are used for different styles of playing. For this instructional process, we will be using the most common: G tuning.
Unlike the guitar, the banjo has only 5 strings. The string labeled 2 is the lowest string, followed by 3, 4, and then 5. The short string, labeled with a 1, is the highest. Here's how to tune a 5-string banjo in G:
#5: D - 1st string
#4: B - 2nd string
#3: G - 3rd string (one octave lower than the 5th string)
#2: D - 4th string (one octave lower and the 1st string)
#1: G - 5th string (the short string on top when holding the banjo)
If you are unable to tune the instrument by ear, I recommend using one of the many online banjo tuners available. They are extremely helpful when becoming familiar with what each note sounds like on the banjo, as opposed to the guitar. It is also important to familiarize yourself with the parts of the instrument, several of which will be referred to later in this tutorial.
Unlike the guitar, the banjo has only 5 strings. The string labeled 2 is the lowest string, followed by 3, 4, and then 5. The short string, labeled with a 1, is the highest. Here's how to tune a 5-string banjo in G:
#5: D - 1st string
#4: B - 2nd string
#3: G - 3rd string (one octave lower than the 5th string)
#2: D - 4th string (one octave lower and the 1st string)
#1: G - 5th string (the short string on top when holding the banjo)
If you are unable to tune the instrument by ear, I recommend using one of the many online banjo tuners available. They are extremely helpful when becoming familiar with what each note sounds like on the banjo, as opposed to the guitar. It is also important to familiarize yourself with the parts of the instrument, several of which will be referred to later in this tutorial.
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Signing UpStep 1Finger picks
While some play the banjo without them, most players use finger picks to enhance the sound of the instrument. There are two different kinds of pick used with the banjo: the fingerpick and the thumbpick.
The second image shows what the pics should look like on your strumming hand. As the image shows, the end of the fingerpick should not extend more than a few millimeters beyond the fingernail. It should fit snugly on the end of the finger, because a too-large fingerpick could get caught on a string and pulled off. I only have one fingerpick currently, but most players use an additional pick on the index finger (positioned in the same way).
The thumbpick should fit around the thumb with the flat part under the pad of the thumb and the pointed edge facing outward. A properly-fitting thumbpick should not go any farther down on the thumb than the bottom of the thumbnail.
The second image shows what the pics should look like on your strumming hand. As the image shows, the end of the fingerpick should not extend more than a few millimeters beyond the fingernail. It should fit snugly on the end of the finger, because a too-large fingerpick could get caught on a string and pulled off. I only have one fingerpick currently, but most players use an additional pick on the index finger (positioned in the same way).
The thumbpick should fit around the thumb with the flat part under the pad of the thumb and the pointed edge facing outward. A properly-fitting thumbpick should not go any farther down on the thumb than the bottom of the thumbnail.
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Looking forward to your next 'ible:)
You should embed the video in step 5 so we can see it here.
I've been trying to embed the video in Step 5, but have been encountering some sort of glitch on the site that prevents it from showing up. Gonna keep trying, though!