Courses  Instructors  How It Works Plans & Pricing Blog Resources 
x

Log In

Log In 
Don't have an account? Sign Up

Reset Password

Submit 
An email has been sent with instructions on how to reset your password.

Sign Up For Free

Then join a course

Our store is currently undergoing maintenance. Check back in a few hours.
Already have an account? Log In

Banjo Tuning with Tony Trischka

"Alright, let's get in tune."
 
For anyone learning how to play banjo, or any instrument for that matter, the importance of being in tune cannot be overstated.  It won't matter how good your banjo rolls  are or how fast you can run through a banjo scale - if you're not in tune you won't sound good.  It's just that simple.  So before you get ahead of yourself, take a moment to learn some basic banjo tuning
 
There are a variety of ways to tune a banjo, as Tony demonstrates in this banjo lesson.  He plays each of the strings in order from high to low, showing you how each one sounds.  If you've got your banjo out, go ahead and try to match the pitch. 

The 1st string you'll hear is the high D. The 2nd string is a B. Listen to how it sounds as compared to the D, you'll notice the pitch gets lower for each string you tune. The 3rd string is a G. Then another D on the 4th string, and lastly the top string is another G. 

The next banjo tuning method is tuning one string to another.  For this, it's a good idea to tune the 4th string to a piano or tuning fork so that you can use it as your reference.  Once you have the 4th string in tune, you can turn the 3rd string by putting your finger on the 5th fret of the 4th string to produce a G note. Tune the 3rd string to that G. Then to tune the 2nd string, go to the 4th fret of the 3rd string and tune the 2nd string.  To tune the 1st string, compare it to 2nd string on the 3rd fret - it should be the same notes.  Next, fret the 5th fret of the 1st string. The 5th string should be in tune with the 1st string on the 5th fret.  Careful with this method, it can be tricky. 

For a sure way to get your banjo in tune, go with modern banjo tuner.  Many fit right on the headstock, making it easy to tune because all you need to do is match it to the green light that lights up when you play each note.  It's also great for anyone playing live because you can do a quick banjo tuning right before you head out on stage.

 
 
Related Banjo Blogs:
 
***Also available in the ArtistWorks Tuning and Intonation Series: 
 
X

Affordable Plans

Each subscription is for a single school. Pricing and features can vary slightly per school.

$35
1 Month membership
renews monthly
Unlimited Access to Lessons
Unlimited Video Exchanges
Exclusive Content
Forums
$35/month (prepaid)
$90
3 Month membership
renews every 3 months
Unlimited Access to Lessons
Unlimited Video Exchanges
Exclusive Content
Forums
$30/month (prepaid)
$240
12 Month membership
renews every 12 months
Unlimited Access to Lessons
Unlimited Video Exchanges
Exclusive Content
Forums
$20/month (prepaid)
X