Many guitarists are intrigued by the banjo’s unique sound and charm but might feel hesitant due to unfamiliar tunings. If you’re A Guitar player considering picking up a banjo, you might wonder, “Can banjos be tuned like a guitar?” The answer is a resounding yes! In fact, tuning a banjo to match a guitar opens up a world of possibilities and makes the instrument instantly accessible.
This article will explore how guitar tuning can be applied to various types of banjos, making the transition smoother for guitarists and unlocking a new musical avenue.
Banjos Readily Adapt to Guitar Tunings
It might surprise you to learn that tuning a banjo like a guitar is not only possible but also a well-practiced approach. Instead of viewing traditional banjo tunings as the only option, consider that the adaptability of the banjo is one of its strengths.
Anecdotally, a customer once inquired about banjos that could be tuned like a guitar. The simple and accurate reply was, “They all can!” This isn’t just a clever remark; it’s a reflection of the banjo’s versatility. Throughout musical history, players have creatively tuned their banjos to suit their needs, including adopting guitar-style tunings.
Historical Examples of Guitar-Tuned Banjos
History provides us with real-world examples of musicians who embraced guitar tuning on the banjo:
- Tenor Banjo in Folk Music: A musician in Seattle used a tenor banjo tuned to the first four strings of a guitar (D-G-B-E, low to high) for folk music performances with his wife. This allowed him to apply his guitar chord knowledge directly to the banjo.
- Plectrum Banjo in Jazz: A jazz banjo player at Disneyland, playing a Deering Deluxe plectrum banjo, also used the D-G-B-E guitar tuning, sometimes referred to as “Chicago tuning” among plectrum players. This demonstrates the tuning’s applicability even in genres beyond folk.
- 5-String Banjo Experimentation: A college student, unfamiliar with banjo traditions, tuned a 5-string banjo like a guitar and even removed the 5th string initially. Upon learning about the 5th string, he reinstalled it and tuned his banjo (5th to 1st string) G-D-G-B-E. He successfully played in this guitar-like tuning for years, adapting guitar fingerpicking techniques to the banjo.
These examples illustrate that guitar tuning on banjos isn’t a novel idea; it’s a practical approach that musicians have successfully employed across different banjo types and musical genres.
Exploring Different Banjos and Guitar Tuning
Let’s delve into how guitar tuning works with specific types of banjos:
6-String Banjos: Bridging the Gap
Deering Banjo Company specifically manufactures 6-string banjos designed to be tuned exactly like a 6-string guitar. These instruments were created to provide guitarists with a seamless transition to the banjo. The 6-string banjo eliminates the learning curve associated with different tunings, allowing guitarists to immediately apply their existing skills to a banjo.
However, the beauty of guitar tuning extends beyond 6-string models and is equally viable for 4-string tenor and plectrum banjos, as well as the iconic 5-string banjo.
4-String Tenor and Plectrum Banjos: Simplified Adaptation
Tuning a 4-string tenor banjo to the first four strings of a guitar (D-G-B-E) is straightforward. While this guitar tuning alters the tenor banjo’s sound character from its traditional tuning (C-G-D-A), it offers a significant advantage for guitarists.
Traditional tenor banjo tuning uses intervals of a fifth between open strings, requiring larger stretches between notes. Guitar tuning on the tenor banjo brings the intervals closer, making chord shapes and melodies feel more familiar and compact for guitarists.
The plectrum banjo, traditionally tuned C-G-B-D, is already quite close to guitar tuning. Switching a plectrum banjo to full guitar tuning (D-G-B-E) only requires adjusting two strings, making the transition even more subtle and intuitive for guitar players.
5-String Banjos: Embracing the Fifth String with Guitar Familiarity
The question of the 5th string is often raised when discussing guitar tuning on banjos. Many guitarists wonder how to reconcile the unique 5th string with a guitar-based approach. The solution is surprisingly simple:
Tune your 5-string banjo to guitar tuning and raise the first string (E) up a whole step to F# (or Gb).
Effectively, this means tuning the first four strings of your 5-string banjo to D-G-B-E, just like the first four strings of a guitar. The only adjustment is raising the first string slightly.
With this tuning, guitarists can immediately play familiar guitar chords on the first four strings of the banjo. For example, a standard G chord shape on guitar will produce a G chord on the banjo in this tuning. C and D7 chords also translate directly.
Utilizing the 5th String and Capos
The 5th string, while initially unfamiliar to guitarists, becomes an exciting new element to explore. For playing in keys beyond G, C, and D, you can employ a 5th string capo, such as an Earl’s Suspender Capo.
Capoing the 5th string at the 7th fret facilitates playing in the key of A (and sometimes D). Capoing at the 8th fret is suitable for Bb or Eb. This mirrors traditional 5-string banjo techniques, where capos are used to change keys while maintaining familiar chord shapes.
Even flatpicking guitarists can adapt to this tuning. While the 5th string is often associated with fingerpicking and clawhammer styles, flatpickers can incorporate it into their playing or initially focus on the first four strings, gradually integrating the 5th string as they become more comfortable.
Alternate Tunings: A Banjo Tradition
The banjo boasts a rich history of alternate tunings. In fact, it’s known for having a greater variety of tunings than many other stringed instruments. Guitar tuning is just one of many tunings that have been used throughout banjo history.
While Bluegrass music has popularized open G tuning as a standard for 5-string banjo, diverse tunings remain common in clawhammer banjo, as well as 4-string tenor and plectrum banjo styles. Therefore, tuning a banjo like a guitar aligns with the banjo’s inherent adaptability and tradition of diverse tunings.
Embrace Player Agency: Your Banjo, Your Rules
Ultimately, the choice of tuning is up to the player. Just as guitarists explore alternate tunings in classical and contemporary music, banjo players have the freedom to experiment and find tunings that inspire them.
Thinking that tuning a banjo like a guitar is somehow “wrong” is a misconception. Musical expression is about achieving the desired sound and effect. There are no rigid rules dictating the “correct” way to tune a banjo.
As legendary banjoist Pete Werenick famously said, “If it sounds good, it must BE good.” This philosophy encourages players to trust their ears and embrace tunings that resonate with their musical vision.
Start Playing Banjo in Guitar Tuning Today
If you’re a guitarist drawn to the banjo, tuning it like your guitar is an excellent starting point. It eliminates the initial hurdle of learning a new tuning system and allows you to immediately enjoy playing banjo using your existing guitar knowledge.
By tuning your 5-string banjo (or tenor or plectrum banjo) to guitar tuning, you might even develop a unique style that inspires other guitarists to explore the banjo. Many guitarists who try a Goodtime banjo in guitar tuning find themselves quickly making music and discovering new sounds.
Don’t let unfamiliar tunings deter you from experiencing the joy of playing the banjo. Tune it like a guitar, and start making music!
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