telereactor - Posted - 10/08/2012:  05:46:18

I have found conflicting information on how to tune your banjo to C (without a capo).  I have found some ways to tune to C that just sounds wrong.  Guys,... how do you correctly tune to C?

5stringpicker2 - Posted - 10/08/2012:  06:17:27

There are 2 C tunings you can tune to. Double C and Open C

Double C Tuning -- This tuning is very popular among clawhammer banjo players and is probably even more popular than G tuning for playing fiddle tunes. Many fiddle tunes are played in the key of D by fiddlers and banjo players will play along using this tuning and put a capo on the 2nd fret to get in the key of D. Notice that from G Modal tuning only one string is retuned.

1. 
   D


2. 
   C  -  From G tuning, tune the B note up to C.


3. 
   G


4. 
   C  -  From G tuning, tune the D note down to C.


5. 
   G

Standard C Tuning -- This was the first tuning that Pete Seeger taught in his classic book, “How to Play the 5-string Banjo.” It is not really an open tuning but allows you to easily form the most used chords in the key of C (C, F, and G). This was the standard tuning for the 4-string plectrum banjo. It is not the most popular tuning but can come in handy for playing in the key of C and is quickly accessible from G tuning.

1. 
   D


2. 
   B


3. 
   G


4. 
   C  -  From G tuning, tune the D note down to C


5. 
   G           

( I  )====='----<::)

Frosty Morn - Posted - 10/08/2012:  07:17:35

That "Standard C Tuning" is also the home base for much of the Classic Banjo

repertoire, as well as the tuning used by fingerpicker Charlie Poole.

trapdoor2 - Posted - 10/08/2012:  08:12:19

And there's open C, gCGCE. Bob Flesher uses it a lot. Common for Uncle Dave Macon, Frank Proffit and many others. See Zepp's banjo tunings database.

zeppmusic.com/banjo/aktuning.htm

telereactor - Posted - 10/08/2012:  08:31:05

Im actually wanting to play How Great Thou Art by Jim Mills. Trying to tune up with his banjo.

Ira Gitlin - Posted - 10/08/2012:  08:46:44

quote:

---

Originally posted by trapdoor2

And there's open C, gCGCE. Bob Flesher uses it a lot. Common for Uncle Dave Macon, Frank Proffit and many others. See Zepp's banjo tunings database.

zeppmusic.com/banjo/aktuning.htm

---

 Tony Furtado and Tom Adams have both used a B tuning that's basically the same thing, just tuned down a half-step.

youtube.com/watch?v=d4qaW9A7Bjg

trapdoor2 - Posted - 10/08/2012:  08:49:51

quote:

---

Originally posted by telereactor

Im actually wanting to play How Great Thou Art by Jim Mills. Trying to tune up with his banjo.

---

 Well, I just watched his video on that tune (awesome technique). I would say he's tuned to standard G (gDGBD) but playing in the key of C.

Fathand - Posted - 10/08/2012:  10:55:22

You may want to add Open C tuning to this list, gCGCE. From Double C tuning, tune your first string up to E.

The Standard C tuning you mention below was at one time called Standard Tuning, Later known as C Tuning and is often now called Drop C tuning.

quote:

---

Originally posted by 5stringpicker2 

There are 2 C tunings you can tune to. Double C and Open C

Double C Tuning -- This tuning is very popular among clawhammer banjo players and is probably even more popular than G tuning for playing fiddle tunes. Many fiddle tunes are played in the key of D by fiddlers and banjo players will play along using this tuning and put a capo on the 2nd fret to get in the key of D. Notice that from G Modal tuning only one string is retuned.

1. 
   D


2. 
   C  -  From G tuning, tune the B note up to C.


3. 
   G


4. 
   C  -  From G tuning, tune the D note down to C.


5. 
   G

Standard C Tuning -- This was the first tuning that Pete Seeger taught in his classic book, “How to Play the 5-string Banjo.” It is not really an open tuning but allows you to easily form the most used chords in the key of C (C, F, and G). This was the standard tuning for the 4-string plectrum banjo. It is not the most popular tuning but can come in handy for playing in the key of C and is quickly accessible from G tuning.

1. 
   D


2. 
   B


3. 
   G


4. 
   C  -  From G tuning, tune the D note down to C


5. 
   G           

( I  )====='----<::)

---

telereactor - Posted - 10/08/2012:  17:40:51

quote:

---

Originally posted by trapdoor2

quote:

---

Originally posted by telereactor

Im actually wanting to play How Great Thou Art by Jim Mills. Trying to tune up with his banjo.

---

 Well, I just watched his video on that tune (awesome technique). I would say he's tuned to standard G (gDGBD) but playing in the key of C.

---

After reviewing it, I think you're right. thanks!

steve davis - Posted - 10/12/2012:  06:39:46

I tuned my first banjo to the chord diagams in piano books from the 20s ans 30s.
That was with just the wound D dropped to C,
I had to fret the 4th at 2 to play a G chord.

Mike Long was visiting one day and suggested I tune the C string up to D.

randyz714 - Posted - 10/12/2012:  11:40:32

Mike Long the pin-up photographer?

steve davis - Posted - 10/13/2012:  05:49:30

Mike Long that did the photo lithography for the old Liberty Banjo catalogue.