LEONJ - Posted - 09/25/2017:  14:23:54

Hi fellow banjo lovers. I cant seem to find any info on the net how to tune a 4 string banjo in open G? All the vids or info is related to 5 string and it just confuses me more! I have never played the banjo but just bought a new one. I only play guitar ( nothing to write home about yet lol ) I would appreciate your help pleas!

Nashvolk5 - Posted - 09/25/2017:  15:15:00

It would depend on what type of 4-string you have. A plectrum banjo would be able to be tuned DGBD using the first four strings in a five-string set, but tenor banjos have a shorter scale and that would be different.

banjoracle - Posted - 09/25/2017:  15:22:56

Welcome to the hangout, Leon. The short answer to your question is: DGBD (low to high). What kind of 4 string banjo do you have, a tenor (17 to 19 frets) or a plectrum (22 frets). A 22 fret 4-srting banjo, which is known as a plectrum banjo, can be easily tuned to an open G tuning, since it the only difference between standard plectrum tuning (CGBD) and open G tuning (DGBD) is the whole step difference in the lowest string. If you play guitar you could tune the plectrum banjo like a guitar (DGBE) which is known as Chicago tuning. However, traditionalists would council you to stick with standard tuning plectrum tuning (CGBD). Tuning a tenor banjo to open G can be done (I've done it myself) but the string tension will be relatively slack so you might want to use heavier gauge strings.

Good Luck!
Jeff

banjoracle - Posted - 09/25/2017:  15:46:35

Welcome to the hangout, Leon. The short answer to your question is: DGBD (low to high). What kind of 4 string banjo do you have, a tenor (17 to 19 frets) or a plectrum (22 frets). A 22 fret 4-srting banjo, which is known as a plectrum banjo, can be easily tuned to an open G tuning, since the only difference between standard plectrum tuning (CGBD) and open G tuning (DGBD) is the whole step difference in the lowest string. If you play guitar you could tune the plectrum banjo like a guitar (DGBE), which is known as Chicago tuning. However, traditionalists would council you to stick with standard plectrum tuning (CGBD). Tuning a tenor banjo to open G can be done (I've done it myself) but the string tension will be relatively slack so you might want to use heavier gauge strings.

Good Luck!
Jeff

dhergert - Posted - 09/25/2017:  16:37:57

If you're using standard 5-string banjo strings, of course keep the 5th string uncut for a backup...



If you're tuning for a 22-fret neck 4-string plectrum banjo, open G (D-G-B-d) should work fine.



If you're tuning for a 19-fret neck or a 17-fret 4-string tenor banjo, I'd tune to open Bb (F-Bb-D-f) for the same note intervals and chord patterns as open G tuning. This provides sufficient tension and good tone.



SImilarly, if you're tuning for a uke or banjo-uke or mandolin or mandolin-banjo scale length, I'd tune to open C (G-C-E-g) for the same note intervals and chord patterns as open G tuning. I've done this with both of the uke and mandolin instrument families. For mandolin family instruments I usually prefer a slightly heavier 1st course (.015) and 2nd course (.017) combined with a standard mandolin string set's 3rd and 4th wound courses.



-- Don

Edited by - dhergert on 09/25/2017 16:39:06