dlm7507 - Posted - 11/23/2025:  12:16:32

What is the attraction to playing D in Standard C capo 2 or Double C capo 2 rather than just raising the 5th string to A?

Jack Baker - Posted - 11/23/2025:  12:49:35

Hi Dave,
I think we all learn songs at an early age and use various tuning. You post makes absolute sense to me....Jack Baker

KCJones - Posted - 11/23/2025:  15:14:34

Different tuning allow for different licks. It depends on the accompanant, too. Playing in double C allows for more open string playing which can be appealing for certain styles.

When I play 3-finger, bluegrass style, key of D, I will typically bring the 5th to A, and use my normal licks usings chord inversions matching the progression. When I play clawhammer, old time style, key of D, I will typically play double C capo 2 which allows me to keep up with the fiddle and I rarely go above the 7th fret.

Personally, I really love the sound of the low C and high C in double C tuning, it's got a certain magic to it that you don't get from playing our of open G with the 5th raised. It might be my favorite tuning on the banjo, you can improv and play almost anything and it will sound good.

dbrooks - Posted - 11/23/2025:  15:20:48

Double-C tuning gives us another open string with easier chord shapes and melody fingering. 

 

David

Lew H - Posted - 11/26/2025:  13:57:36

I think this idea of retuning for particular tunes or sets of tunes came about many decades ago with fretless banjos. Pickers wanted to play near the nut for good intonation and wanted open strings. It's what I do today, because these tunings do make the songs easier to play. Sometimes though, it the fiddlers who set the key and made it harder for the banjo picker. Example: Although Angelina Baker is typically played in double C capoed up 2 frets to D, it is much easier to play in the key of G with open G tuning. You don't have to get your fingers past the second fret. All that being said, Double C tuning has a happy resonance to it. that is hard to suppress. Also, it is easy to shift from C major to C minor, both for chords and for melody. My contra-band would alternate the major and minor versions on each iteration of Soldiers Joy.