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Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/405902
fcathey - Posted - 11/10/2025: 13:38:02
Can a banjo in normal G tuning play a song in D? The 5th string doesn’t match the chords whether I hold the chords for D or use a capo. Do I have to re-tune or am I missing some really simple concept?
Texasbanjo - Posted - 11/10/2025: 14:06:02
Sure it can. You can either use the D, G, A chords and tune the 5th up to A (or stay off the 5th string ), or use a capo and use C, F, G chords. Either way will work.
Bill Rogers - Posted - 11/10/2025: 15:15:19
If you play old-time fiddle tunes in D, you really should learn either Standard C or Double-C tuning to play capoed at the second fret. Most players now have adopted Double-C, though some prefer (as I do) Standard C, sometimes called Drop-C. Plenty of info available about the tunings. You need to figure out what material you want to play, then find a suitable tuning. I can use eight different tunings, though I usually stick with two or three.
Lew H - Posted - 11/11/2025: 12:48:52
The different tunings make it easier to play particular tunes--or to play tunes in keys that fit the fiddler's easiest key to play them in. Example: Angelina Baker is easier played in open G on banjo than in double D, where fiddlers want it. You would have to be really good with drop thumb, HOs, POs, ASPOs, etc to play a fiddle tune in D while your banjo is in open G with the 5th string tuned to A.
jojo25 - Posted - 01/17/2026: 16:14:37
"Can a banjo in normal G tuning play a song in D?"...yes
but in OT we usually tune differently for D tunes...as others here have noted
Out of "normal G tuning" you can play in any key...but to do so with any reasonable degree of success you really gotta be well versed in the basic chords forms
I love to play in "odd" keys out of G tuning...but I get rolled eyes when I say "let's do one in E flat"...so I tend to leave such for my solo sessions...
but one example I will give you...playing Chief O'Neil's hornpipe...a great D tune
youtube.com/watch?v=0qX8mvrjKx8
and I play it out of normal G tuning
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