The 5-string banjo is usually tuned to open G (g D G B D). In old-time music – old dance tunes from the mountains of North America, often played with a fiddle – banjo players like to retune so tunes in other keys come easily. Two tunings are especially popular.
Double C: g C G C D
Two strings become C: the low D string goes down a whole step, the B string up a half step. That makes lots of tunes in C and D (with a capo) comfortable. Strummed open, the banjo now sounds bright and open.
G modal (Sawmill): g D G C D
Only one string changes here: the B string goes up a half step to C. Without B, the open banjo sounds neither major nor minor – mysterious and old. This tuning suits tunes that float between major and minor.
Setting it up in the app
In the tuner, tap “Other tuning …” at the bottom. You’ll find “Double C”, “G-Modal (Sawmill)” and “Open D” there. Once chosen, the tuner tunes to the new notes, and chord charts, songs and the blues neck follow. A note at the top of every page has the button “Back to standard tuning”. In Open D (f# D F# A D) the short 5th string also goes down a half step to f#.
To the tuner