Baytree - Posted - 03/23/2026:  10:32:35

I recently started learning banjo to accompany singing (myself and family sing-alongs). Most of my musical experience until now has been singing a capella and playing melody on winds. I only have a tiny bit of formal training - enough to read music and tell a major scale from minor.

I have no problem picking out a melody by ear, or even simple harmonies, but I find myself struggling to tell what chords should go with a melody and where they should change. Do you have any advice or resources for training myself to hear chords?

Unfortunately I can’t just look up other people’s arrangements since many of the songs I know are very hard to find.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 03/23/2026:  11:09:29

Learning to hear chords can be difficult for some people. I know I had a hard time when I was first learning to jam. There is usually a certain pattern, if you will, to songs. They have a key signature and major and minor chords. Do you have a friend or know someone who plays guitar? Perhaps he or she could help you by showing you some guitar chords and you could watch as he played a song and called out the chords and the chord changes. That might help you learn to anticipate the chord changes and eventually understand why they happen.

Also, a course in music theory might help explain why chords work on songs and why they don't.

mmuussiiccaall - Posted - 03/23/2026:  22:21:56

quote:

---

Originally posted by Baytree

I recently started learning banjo to accompany singing (myself and family sing-alongs). Most of my musical experience until now has been singing a capella and playing melody on winds. I only have a tiny bit of formal training - enough to read music and tell a major scale from minor.



 

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Does this make any sense for a start?

Chord Harmony

 

Jerry Hatrick - Posted - 03/24/2026:  01:50:09

I think the easiest way to decide what chord to use, is to first settle on what key you want to sing or play in (typically by working out what the closing note of the tune is, such as finding it in your fretboard), and then trying out some of the standard chord progressions for songs. The danger though is that a well used progression (three chord trick) will tend to shoehorn your melody line into a familiar tune pattern, rather than something interestingly different - think of all the bluegrass songs that fit this rough sequence:
G///
///D
G/C/
GDG/

Ira Gitlin - Posted - 03/24/2026:  06:09:46

Most of the notes in a melody will be notes in whatever the chord should be. Not all of the melody notes, but most of the "strong" ones--the notes that happen on the main beats, the notes that the singer holds out longer, the notes that happen when the chord changes. The melody notes that aren't chord notes are usually "stepping stones" from one chord note to the next.

This can give you some clues to what the chords should be, but you can't always get the right chords JUST by looking at the melody notes. For example, if the melody note is G, what would the chord be? There are a lot of possibilities--G, C, E-flat, E minor, A7, etc., etc.--and some of them are more likely/appropriate than others.

You can play around with this, but (since it sounds like you're just starting to figure out chords) I'd suggest learning the chords to as many songs as you can in your preferred genre(s) of music. Get those sounds in your head, and train your fingers to find those sounds on your instrument. You'll find--if you haven't already--that certain little bits of melody show up in song after song after song, and those bits of melody are usually accompanied by the same chords in every song they show up in. Eventually, you'll start anticipating what that next chord should be--and you'll be right much of the time.

BobbyE - Posted - 03/24/2026:  06:12:13

Every key has its own set of chords. Also, there is a minor chord as well. In bluegrass music most songs follow the root chord, the IVth. chord, and the Vth. chord. And then the minor and IInd. chord can be played on certain songs.



For instance: G is the key and root chord. Four chords up from that is the C chord. G, A, B, C. (always count the root chord as I). The Vth chord is the D chord. G, A, B, C, and D. D is fifth chord up from G.



This works this way for every major key, or at least most that you will use in bluegrass. Key of C.

Root chord C and 4 up is F chord, and 5 up from that is the G. Chord. Same for A.



The second chord is the next chord up from the root chord of the key. The minor chord is the second chord down from the root chord. The minor for key of G is Em. ( G, F, Em)



If this ain't what you are asking, my apologies but perhaps it can help someone else.  



Bobby

Edited by - BobbyE on 03/24/2026 06:13:37

randybartlett - Posted - 03/24/2026:  07:15:58

At home, try to hear it for yourself first. Then use CHORD.AI to identify the chords. It is free. Compare your results to those. You will get better.

In any case, after a while, the chords will come more easily. There are transitional cues in most songs. Still, there will be songs where you need to yell "what's that odd chord" and someone will reply "A minor" (or whatever). That's what friends are for.

Baytree - Posted - 03/24/2026:  11:30:10

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jerry Hatrick

I think the easiest way to decide what chord to use, is to first settle on what key you want to sing or play in (typically by working out what the closing note of the tune is, such as finding it in your fretboard), and then trying out some of the standard chord progressions for songs. The danger though is that a well used progression (three chord trick) will tend to shoehorn your melody line into a familiar tune pattern, rather than something interestingly different - think of all the bluegrass songs that fit this rough sequence:

G///

///D

G/C/

GDG/

---

Hm. I'm realizing that the fundamental problem might be figuring out what key I'm in. I can usually rule things out (e.g. if I play a F# in the melody I know I'm not in C major), but still end up with at least a few possibilities.

So key is mostly determined by closing note?

At this stage I'm not worried about being unique... just want some rhythm and a bit extra for our family song nights. Maybe down the road I'll get more adventurous!

Baytree - Posted - 03/24/2026:  11:44:59

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ira Gitlin

Most of the notes in a melody will be notes in whatever the chord should be. Not all of the melody notes, but most of the "strong" ones--the notes that happen on the main beats, the notes that the singer holds out longer, the notes that happen when the chord changes. The melody notes that aren't chord notes are usually "stepping stones" from one chord note to the next.



This can give you some clues to what the chords should be, but you can't always get the right chords JUST by looking at the melody notes. For example, if the melody note is G, what would the chord be? There are a lot of possibilities--G, C, E-flat, E minor, A7, etc., etc.--and some of them are more likely/appropriate than others.



You can play around with this, but (since it sounds like you're just starting to figure out chords) I'd suggest learning the chords to as many songs as you can in your preferred genre(s) of music. Get those sounds in your head, and train your fingers to find those sounds on your instrument. You'll find--if you haven't already--that certain little bits of melody show up in song after song after song, and those bits of melody are usually accompanied by the same chords in every song they show up in. Eventually, you'll start anticipating what that next chord should be--and you'll be right much of the time.

---

Thank you, this is very helpful! I've been trying to pick chords that include melody notes, but I think I've been tripping up on those "stepping stone" notes that don't quite fit.

Learning chords to other songs is, of course, an excellent idea. I just get impatient to play the songs I already sing... gotta remind myself there's no rush!

Am I correct in thinking that if I learn the chords for a melody in G and want to raise it by X steps, I can put a capo at the appropriate fret and play the same cords as if the capo'd fret was the nut?

Ira Gitlin - Posted - 03/24/2026:  12:13:27

quote:

---

Originally posted by Baytree

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ira Gitlin

Most of the notes in a melody will be notes in whatever the chord should be. Not all of the melody notes, but most of the "strong" ones--the notes that happen on the main beats, the notes that the singer holds out longer, the notes that happen when the chord changes. The melody notes that aren't chord notes are usually "stepping stones" from one chord note to the next.



This can give you some clues to what the chords should be, but you can't always get the right chords JUST by looking at the melody notes. For example, if the melody note is G, what would the chord be? There are a lot of possibilities--G, C, E-flat, E minor, A7, etc., etc.--and some of them are more likely/appropriate than others.



You can play around with this, but (since it sounds like you're just starting to figure out chords) I'd suggest learning the chords to as many songs as you can in your preferred genre(s) of music. Get those sounds in your head, and train your fingers to find those sounds on your instrument. You'll find--if you haven't already--that certain little bits of melody show up in song after song after song, and those bits of melody are usually accompanied by the same chords in every song they show up in. Eventually, you'll start anticipating what that next chord should be--and you'll be right much of the time.

---

Thank you, this is very helpful! I've been trying to pick chords that include melody notes, but I think I've been tripping up on those "stepping stone" notes that don't quite fit.

Learning chords to other songs is, of course, an excellent idea. I just get impatient to play the songs I already sing... gotta remind myself there's no rush!

Am I correct in thinking that if I learn the chords for a melody in G and want to raise it by X steps, I can put a capo at the appropriate fret and play the same cords as if the capo'd fret was the nut?

---

Yes. When you capo and play your familiar fingerings, EVERYTHING gets moved up by the same interval. So the relationships among the notes remain the same. And the music is not in the notes; it's in the relationships!

RB-1 - Posted - 03/24/2026:  12:15:27

quote:

---

Originally posted by Baytree

Am I correct in thinking that if I learn the chords for a melody in G and want to raise it by X steps, I can put a capo at the appropriate fret and play the same cords as if the capo'd fret was the nut?

---

Yes, but....

Basically that's the way it works.

In real life, we hardky ever capo higher than the 4th fret.

AND we're capoing the fifth string too. Do a search for 5thvstring spikes and you'll understand. If not just ask.

Then, when going past the 4th fret (key of B), usually the next key, C, is played from a  C (capo 0) chord on the first two frets. 5th string no capo (= G)

Capoing up to 4 in this mode would bring you to E.

The third mode would be playing without a capo in D (root chord would be on frets 2,3 &4) The crux here is in capoing the 5th string 2 frets up, i.e. the 7th fret, bringing it up th A. 

So no capo on the four long strings, but spiking the 5th at the 7th fret.

Capo 2 and spike 9 would give you E, capo 3 and spike 10 for F and finally capo 4 and spike 11 resulting in F#, closing the circle. Next would be no capo and no spike, the key of G!

Edited by - RB-1 on 03/24/2026 12:22:43

Jerry Hatrick - Posted - 03/24/2026:  12:17:11

Yes, the capo is usually used simply to raise the key by a half step for every fret (and sometimes just to play more finger friendly chords - it’s easier to play chords in D major (D, G and A) with capo at the first fret, than to play Eb, Ab and Bb chords).

And yes, most sings finish on the tonic note, g if in G major key, though some dangle on the seventh or fifth note occasionally, and some pop songs like Help on the minor (e).

Laurence Diehl - Posted - 03/24/2026:  16:04:53

I would encourage everyone to learn guitar well enough to strum chords and sing behind. It's just a great foundation.

Nopix - Posted - 03/24/2026:  18:38:35

Indeed, understanding the 1,4,5 (I, IV,V)thing is important.

Most of the folks I play with don't understand 1,4,5, but they do understand:

Key of G, try C, or D (chord) for the first change.

Key of C, try F, or G

Key of D, try G, or A

Key of A, try D, or E

Also, understand the song may only have 2 chords.

Not to force someone to play a certain song, but it's important too, to be able to crawl, then walk, then eventually run.

If one doesn't know simple songs like,

My Bucket's got a Hole, or

Rabbit in a Log, or

Fraulein, or

Wabash Cannonball, or

Jambalaya.

By familiarizing yourself with five or ten simple songs allows one to grasp essentially the secret that unlocks the access to 90% of songs.



There are so many songs. I'll remember lyrics, but i can't remember how to play any of them.

I relearn the song each time, as far as chord changes. If I am told the key, or I decide the key, I then strum along until I hear a chord change. At that point I try the 4 chord. If that doesn't sound right, I'll try the 5. Then I'll strum until I hear the 2nd chord change. Maybe it returns to the 1, maybe to the 5, from the 4 chord. Once you understand this process, you can do it pretty quickly.

I've got pages of double-spaced lyrics, with chords scratched above the words. But most are complex songs, with the aforementioned minor chords, or such stuff. But for two or three chord songs, not writing it down helps develop your ear.

Edited by - Nopix on 03/24/2026 18:42:17

Nopix - Posted - 03/24/2026:  18:50:46

quote:

---

Originally posted by Laurence Diehl

I would encourage everyone to learn guitar well enough to strum chords and sing behind. It's just a great foundation.

---

That's a very good point!

If you grasp the 1,4,5 thing, if you can make the chords on a guitar, mandolin, banjer, even piano. The sky's the limit!

mmuussiiccaall - Posted - 03/25/2026:  00:24:08

Learn the numbers of the scale that melodies use and the theory will become clear.

banjohangout.org/archive/279248

Edited by - mmuussiiccaall on 03/25/2026 00:24:26

Nopix - Posted - 03/25/2026:  06:22:43

I just woke up. Duh!
You can Google "Nashville numbering system."
Gobs of explanation.

Baytree - Posted - 03/25/2026:  07:26:43

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nopix

I just woke up. Duh!

You can Google "Nashville numbering system."

Gobs of explanation.

---

Thanks, the name makes it much easier to look up!

To those recommending guitar - is there something about guitar in particular that makes it good to know? I don't have any guitar-playing friends to learn from, so I'd be in the same boat as I am with the banjo as far as figuring this stuff out.

Nopix - Posted - 03/25/2026:  08:11:30

Baytree,
Personally, I tune my guitar similar to a banjer. Namely, open G, or (fat to thin) EADGBD. Rather than the thinnest string tuned to E. It enables me to use similar chord formations with my hand. Caveat being, ignoring the fat E & A string on the guitar, and ignoring the 5th string one the banjer.
We're just strumming with a thumb, so we can hear chord changes.
If you wish to banjo roll the chord (chord arpeggio) there's no law against it.
I guess it was never brought up as to what style your right hand was doing?

Texasbanjo - Posted - 03/25/2026:  08:15:21

quote:

---

Originally posted by Baytree

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nopix

I just woke up. Duh!

You can Google "Nashville numbering system."

Gobs of explanation.

---

Thanks, the name makes it much easier to look up!

To those recommending guitar - is there something about guitar in particular that makes it good to know? I don't have any guitar-playing friends to learn from, so I'd be in the same boat as I am with the banjo as far as figuring this stuff out.

---

Yes, guitars are one of the basic rhythm instruments and therefore, pickers are knowledgeable about chords and chord sequences (or should be).   I learned to play rhythm guitar many years ago after I got pretty good on banjo.  Why did I want to learn guitar?  So I could teach a slow jam class.  Most of the class was newbie guitar pickers and I knew little about the instrument.   So I learned the chords and fingerings and taught that class within a month or so.  

Nopix - Posted - 03/25/2026:  08:23:49

Baytree,
Also, do you have some idea/titles of the songs you want to start learning?

Baytree - Posted - 03/25/2026:  08:53:21

Nopix,

I’m not sure of the proper term for what my right hand is doing… I pick individual notes with my thumb and index finger (mostly up picking, some down picking), and strum chords with the nail of my index finger.

I have an idea of the songs I’d like to play, but I don’t know titles for most of them… I learned to sing from family and we rarely talked about songs by name. A couple I do have titles for are Little Brown Jug, Wayfaring Stranger, Pretty Saro, and John Henry (though with a different tune than I’ve heard anywhere else).

pinenut - Posted - 03/25/2026:  09:23:27

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nopix

Understanding the 1,4,5 (I, IV,V) thing is important.  Most BG/OT tunes use roughly three chords (±1).

Key of G, try C, or D (chord) for the first change.

Key of C, try F, or G

Key of D, try G, or A

Key of A, try D, or E

Circle of Fifths illustration below: the note counterclockwise to the key of the tune (I) is the "IV" and clockwise is the "V" 

---

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_of_fifths

Edited by - pinenut on 03/25/2026 09:35:57

Tractor1 - Posted - 03/25/2026:  10:01:53

learning to recognize the chords on the player's hand across the room is a really helpful -was for me anyway

Nopix - Posted - 03/25/2026:  10:53:25

Nowadays we have resources!
Search YouTube for the version of the song that sounds familiar.
Search, ultimate-guitar.com for the chords. They have a "simplify" button and also buttons to transpose the tune to a desired key.

cevant - Posted - 03/25/2026:  14:32:27

Some folks keep this pdf file on their phone and give it a quick glance….

pegramjam.com/chord_charts.html

Ira Gitlin - Posted - 03/26/2026:  06:37:15

As you listen to a song to figure out the chords, beware of what I call "false positives"--things that feel to you like a chord is changing, but with no chord change. Typically, this will occur at the beginning of a line or phrase. Yes, that represents something new in the song, but it's something new in meter or lyrics, not chords. The other situation where you might feel a false positive occurs when the melody jumps dramatically to a higher or lower note, but on the same chord. Once again, this IS something new in the song, but it's something new in melody, not chords.

As with all of this, the more you try, the better you get at it.

johnedallas - Posted - 03/27/2026:  10:01:06

quote:

---

Originally posted by Baytree

Most of my musical experience until now has been singing a capella and playing melody on winds. 

 

---

A capella, huh? What do you sing - soprano, alto, tenor or bass? I've sung in choirs longer than I've played banjo or guitar, and my feeling for chord changes has benefited from that. I should add that, in a mixed choir I sing bass, so I'm accustomed to hearing where the root of the chord should be, and going there. But I've also sung alto in a male voice quartet, and that also helps you to hear when a chord change is coming.

Apart from that, just learn the chord shapes for each key, and be aware of what key you're in.

Some folks have recommended learning the guitar as a help. My recommendation is the Autoharp! On it, you can run through all the possible chords so quickly that you're bound to find the right one. The name of the chord is even printed on the button! I often use the 'harp to work out more difficult arrangements.

Cheers,

John

ShawnCraver - Posted - 04/08/2026:  09:30:23

In bluegrass chords are standardized... and usually simple and obvious. A person really doesn't need a good ear to play bluegrass backing...just attention to detail and collaboration with the rest of the band



Old time fiddle tunes and Irish fiddle tunes ...guitar chords are not standardized...but subjective and more personal choice... a much more complex process than bluegrass

popular songs are usually standardized as well... find a lead sheet

Edited by - ShawnCraver on 04/08/2026 09:33:00

BlueMountain - Posted - 04/24/2026:  18:51:29

Try my new book “5-String Banjo: How to Play Chords All Over the Neck,” available on Amazon. It might be just what you need.

Headstock front

 

mkwbanjo - Posted - 04/26/2026:  07:01:59

quote:

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Originally posted by BobbyE

Every key has its own set of chords. Also, there is a minor chord as well. In bluegrass music most songs follow the root chord, the IVth. chord, and the Vth. chord. And then the minor and IInd. chord can be played on certain songs.



For instance: G is the key and root chord. Four chords up from that is the C chord. G, A, B, C. (always count the root chord as I). The Vth chord is the D chord. G, A, B, C, and D. D is fifth chord up from G.



This works this way for every major key, or at least most that you will use in bluegrass. Key of C.

Root chord C and 4 up is F chord, and 5 up from that is the G. Chord. Same for A.



The second chord is the next chord up from the root chord of the key. The minor chord is the second chord down from the root chord. The minor for key of G is Em. ( G, F, Em)



If this ain't what you are asking, my apologies but perhaps it can help someone else.  



Bobby

---

Bobby-

I am just a little confused. When you describe how to know the IV and V chords you go up the scale Four or Five tones, COUNTING the Root. But when you describe the minor chord- in this case Em in the key of G- you say it's the Second chord down, which if you were counting the root as before, would be the F#. Counting the root, as before, would make the Em the Third chord down from the root.

Is going down the scale treated differently than going up the scale?

250gibson - Posted - 04/26/2026:  07:58:32

quote:

---

Originally posted by mkwbanjo

quote:

---

Originally posted by BobbyE

Every key has its own set of chords. Also, there is a minor chord as well. In bluegrass music most songs follow the root chord, the IVth. chord, and the Vth. chord. And then the minor and IInd. chord can be played on certain songs.



For instance: G is the key and root chord. Four chords up from that is the C chord. G, A, B, C. (always count the root chord as I). The Vth chord is the D chord. G, A, B, C, and D. D is fifth chord up from G.



This works this way for every major key, or at least most that you will use in bluegrass. Key of C.

Root chord C and 4 up is F chord, and 5 up from that is the G. Chord. Same for A.



The second chord is the next chord up from the root chord of the key. The minor chord is the second chord down from the root chord. The minor for key of G is Em. ( G, F, Em)



If this ain't what you are asking, my apologies but perhaps it can help someone else.  



Bobby

---

Bobby-

I am just a little confused. When you describe how to know the IV and V chords you go up the scale Four or Five tones, COUNTING the Root. But when you describe the minor chord- in this case Em in the key of G- you say it's the Second chord down, which if you were counting the root as before, would be the F#. Counting the root, as before, would make the Em the Third chord down from the root.

Is going down the scale treated differently than going up the scale?

---

The triads built off the scale degrees of a major scale would be as follows. 

 

1 (root or tonic) - major (I)

2 (supertonic) - minor (ii)

3 (mediant) - minor (iii)

4 (subdominant) - major (IV)

5 (dominant) - major (V)

6 (submediant) - minor (vi)

7 (leading tone) - diminished (vii0)

Em in the key of G is built off of the 6th degree  

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 04/26/2026:  08:15:02

Couple simple almost always rules/PATTERNS.
Song starts in 1 chord or G and ends in the same.
Before the ending G chord is the 5 chord or D.
After starting with the G Chord, it usually goes to 4(C) or 5 chord (D).
C chord goes to G or D.
D chord most always revolves back to G or 1 chord.

Strum along with some songs and see what sounds right and what sounds back. If it does not sound right, go back, do it again, and change chords. You will start hearing stuff coming.

Exceptions in G: EM (6M) used in place of C. (notice how it is almost made the same) next most used chord is Am (2M).

The circle of 5ths is a musical cheat sheet for all of this.
Ken

Ken

reallyoldman - Posted - 04/26/2026:  14:40:55

If you type the first line (or any line, I think) of a song that you don't know into the search box of the internet on your computer, you should be able to find the name of the song. I just put in "what is the name of the song with the line _________, and the answer will usually come up.  Then you can take the song name and type in "banjo chords and lyrics for such and such song name", ahd some websites will come up.  That way, since you know know the tune goes from singing, you can play it..  At least that usually works for me.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Baytree

Nopix,



I’m not sure of the proper term for what my right hand is doing… I pick individual notes with my thumb and index finger (mostly up picking, some down picking), and strum chords with the nail of my index finger.



I have an idea of the songs I’d like to play, but I don’t know titles for most of them… I learned to sing from family and we rarely talked about songs by name. A couple I do have titles for are Little Brown Jug, Wayfaring Stranger, Pretty Saro, and John Henry (though with a different tune than I’ve heard anywhere else).

---

Nopix - Posted - 04/26/2026:  16:07:56

It's getting easier all the time. My Google has a microphone picture in the search window. If you touch that, and then start to sing, it searches songs.

BobbyE - Posted - 04/27/2026:  07:29:52

>>I am just a little confused. When you describe how to know the IV and V chords you go up the scale Four or Five tones, COUNTING the Root. But when you describe the minor chord- in this case Em in the key of G- you say it's the Second chord down, which if you were counting the root as before, would be the F#.<<

I am referring to the letter only that refers to the key. E-F-G. Two letters down from G is E, or Em as far as the precise chord is. If in F it would be D-E.F, so minor chord is Dm in key of F. Key of C would be A-B_C. Minor chord is Am in key of C. Music theory is somewhat math based in the ways that it works in some ways, or at least, it helps me with theory all along. What little theory I know.

Bobby

Bobby

jcrowban - Posted - 04/30/2026:  07:39:11

I am simple and self taught and figured this issue out. I'll try my best to help you. The musical chords and keys alphabet is, A,B,C,D,E,F,G. Each key has its own chords in a different order. The theory you can look up is the Circle of fifths. They have charts for visual learning that helps. They usually use Roman numerals to Identify the chords order. I use 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 instead. Say you want to play a simple 3 chord song, you know you will be in the key of G. G, C, D ( are the three chords in the song).

To find the chords in the key of G, counting order starts with G, is number 1. 2, 3, 4 is chord C, 5 is chord D. 6th number will be the minor Chord. E minor (whenever you choose to use a minor).

note: When using the circle of 5 theory, whatever key the song is in, number 1 is that key. The music alphabet count starts in the Key you will be using for the song.

Say you like a simple 3 chord song in the key of D. (D, G, A) counting order starts with D as Chord number 1. 2, 3, 4 is chord G. 5 is chord A. 6 is B minor.

Nopix - Posted - 04/30/2026:  09:22:19

This is what I commented to Megan Lynch Chowning:
Early on, I counted on my fingers.
The key/root/1, would be my thumb.
Alphabetically count over to my ring finger is the 4 chord.
Count over to the pinky is the 5 chord.
It works on the common, G, D, A, E, & C keys.

mmuussiiccaall - Posted - 04/30/2026:  10:24:37

Getting back to the original question, listen to, or better yet,learn to play the bass.

Old Hickory - Posted - 04/30/2026:  11:02:04

quote:

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Originally posted by Baytree

Do you have any advice or resources for training myself to hear chords?



Unfortunately I can’t just look up other people’s arrangements since many of the songs I know are very hard to find.

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Keep looking. Even hard to find songs can turn up.

And keep spending time with songs you can find. That's how I developed the ability to figure out chords at about age 13 - 14 in 1964-65. I learned chords to Beatles songs out of books and to popular folk songs of the day from other guitar players.

After enough time, I began to recognize the sounds of music, and especially how nearly every song ended on the chord with the same name as the key.

I also stumbled on the same discovery of how a capo works as you mentioned.

Work on finding the key of a song through trial-and-error of matching chords on your banjo to the likely root (I) chord of a recording of the song you're trying to learn.

You've received good explanations and advice elsewhere that I don't need to repeat.

But I'll offer a few comments: The chords after I, IV and V (sometimes V7) that will appear most in folk music are the vi (6) minor and maybe the ii (2) minor. In key of G, that would be E minor (vi) and A minor (ii).  The iii (3) minor (B minor in G) is less likely to occur, in traditional songs. Composed songs, yes.

The true vii° (a diminished) chord is almost never used. In key of G: F#dim. Not by name, that is. But the 3 notes of F#dim are inside the 4-note D7 chord!  Bluegrass and traditional folk do occasionally use the "flat seven" chord from outside the key. That would be an F Major chord in the key of G. Something else to train your ear for.

In songs outside of traditional folk, the 2 and 3 are sometimes switched to Major -- which is outside the key, so can throw off beginners. The 2 chord -- whether used as minor or non-key Major -- will almost always be followed by the V chord.  That's because the 2 is the "five of the five" and so makes a stronger resolution to it.

Rick's advice about bass is excellent. The bass is almost always going to be playing the root note on the beat where a chord change happens or on the first note of a measure. So try to match the bass note and over 90% of the time you'll have the name note of the chord. But, again: only on the beats where the bass seems to be anchoring the chord.

Good luck.

Old Hickory - Posted - 04/30/2026:  11:36:56

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Originally posted by BobbyE

I am referring to the letter only that refers to the key. E-F-G. Two letters down from G is E, or Em as far as the precise chord is. . . Music theory is somewhat math based in the ways that it works in some ways, or at least, it helps me with theory all along. What little theory I know.

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Counting down two is definitely a quick way to get there. Nothing wrong with what works.

But I think it's also useful to count up, which will show that the chord you're after is always the six. Another number worth remembering along with the four and five. Or just remember that when you count "down" two, you're taking a shortcut to the six.

As to "what little theory" you know: I like to say people probably know more theory than they realize they know.