Eric Musick - Posted - 07/22/2021:  15:28:34

Newbie here (like 2 Months in). Can you play the Banjo on Am?
Trying to learn a new song and it's key is in A minor.
Thanks in advance. Cheers

mbanza - Posted - 07/22/2021:  15:35:44

One way in G tuning is to lower the second string one half step to Bb and you're in G minor. Capo at 2 = A minor.

Eric Musick - Posted - 07/22/2021:  15:39:00

@mbanza Thanks! G minor I was able to find. But this song does have a banjo in it and everything I see online says it's key is in A minor...

Eric Musick - Posted - 07/22/2021:  15:39:57

@mbanza. oh sorry just saw capo on 2. A minor! Perfect. THANK you

Greg Gilbert - Posted - 07/22/2021:  15:43:42

You can also play in the key of C since Am is the relative minor. All your C licks will sound fine in Am.

Joel Hooks - Posted - 07/22/2021:  15:45:03

archive.org/details/bradburymo.../mode/1up

csacwp - Posted - 07/22/2021:  15:55:50

quote:

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Originally posted by Joel Hooks

archive.org/details/bradburymo.../mode/1up

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Yep, no need to retune or capo. The banjo can be played in any key, although some are a little easier than others. 

Edited by - csacwp on 07/22/2021 15:56:02

Old Hickory - Posted - 07/22/2021:  15:56:09

Tuning and key are not the same thing. Repeat 100 times, or until you believe it.

While a particular tune may achieve a desirable effect in G minor tuning capoed 2, it is quite possible to play in the key of A minor on standard G tuning. 

Bill Rogers - Posted - 07/22/2021:  17:12:46

If you want the tone/sound of open strings, then Gm tuning capoed 2 is the way to go. In traditional styles, closed-key tunings often just don’t “sound right.”

G Edward Porgie - Posted - 07/22/2021:  18:10:42

quote:

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Originally posted by Old Hickory

Tuning and key are not the same thing. Repeat 100 times, or until you believe it.

While a particular tune may achieve a desirable effect in G minor tuning capoed 2, it is quite possible to play in the key of A minor on standard G tuning. 

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I've preached this 100 times, but itn doesn't seem to sink in very often.

Old Hickory - Posted - 07/22/2021:  19:01:59

quote:

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Originally posted by Bill Rogers

If you want the tone/sound of open strings, then Gm tuning capoed 2 is the way to go. In traditional styles, closed-key tunings often just don’t “sound right.”

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True, of course.

But "often" doesn't mean "always." For example, while a lot of people play Jerusalem Ridge in G minor tuning, capo 2, there are good sounding melodic style versions in G tuning no capo.

janolov - Posted - 07/23/2021:  01:55:30

If you use the fifth string you should rise it from g to a by tuning it up two half steps, using a fifth-string capo or spiking. That is independant of how you tune the other strings.

Bill H - Posted - 07/23/2021:  03:19:29

How I approach a tune regarding the the tuning I play it in depends on context. If it's in a jam on the fly, or a song with vocals, often playing chords out of standard G is the simplest approach. If it is a traditional tune like Cuck Old Hen customarily played in Sawmill or some other traditional tuning then that may be most appropriate. If it is an O'carolan composition in whatever key then I might invest some time in learning it in standard tuning because I enjoy playing melody on this type of tune.

banjoy - Posted - 07/23/2021:  04:03:35

I guess what's missing from the opening post (unless it's here and I didn't see it yet) is what style of banjo and music the OP plays. So you'll get replies from old-time (frailing, clawhammer) banjo pickers to re-tune your banjo and from bluegrass-oriented (Scruggs, Reno, melodic, etc) banjo pickers to capo or adapt.

As pointed out above, the banjo (or any musical instrument) can be played in any key. In the Key of Am there are several ways to get there, as pointed out above.

For me personally (a 3-finger Scruggs-melodic player) I approach Am in open G without re-tuning or using a capo, it's a pretty easy key to move around in. But if you're an old-time player, it may not be the best choice (where re-tuning might be).

Old Hickory - Posted - 07/23/2021:  18:53:05

quote:

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Originally posted by Eric Musick

Newbie here (like 2 Months in). Can you play the Banjo on Am?

Trying to learn a new song and it's key is in A minor.

Thanks in advance. Cheers

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What's the song and what style of banjo playing?

Lew H - Posted - 07/23/2021:  20:13:44

Eric Musick What is the song you are trying to learn? In what banjo style? To get agreed-upon sensible answers, we need to know this. FOr example, in old time banjo, you might tune to Am as suggested above or to "modal tuning (gDGCD) capoed up two frets to (aEAC#E)). The choice could depend on the melody notes or the chords needed. Meanwhile, in bluegrass banjo, most would likely play out of G tuning. So tell us some details of the song and style.