Banjo Tunings
For bluegrass banjo playing, the most common banjo tuning is g D G B D, sometimes referred to as “standard tuning.” For clawhammer/old-time banjo playing, the tunings are more variable. However, there are some tunings you’ll find in both styles of playing.
I thought I would compile a list of common banjo tunings along with some suggested recordings to hear these tunings. The number of alternate banjo tunings is almost endless, but here are the common ones:
Alternate Banjo Tunings
- D tuning
- Drop C
- Double C
- G minor tuning
- Drop A
- Sawmill or Modal tuning
D tuning
Tuning: F# D F# A D
A D F# A D
Every string except the 4th and 1st string are retuned.
There are two possibilities because people will sometimes tune the 5th string down to F# versus up to A. The most famous example I can think of is “Reuben” by Earl Scruggs:
Other songs that use this tuning are Darling Corey Is Gone and John Henry by Earl Scruggs. If you like Don Reno, check out his “Green Mountain Hop.” Don Reno also did “Home Sweet Home” in this tuning (unlike Earl Scruggs).
Drop C Tuning
Tuning: g C G B D
Here, you are only tuning down the fourth string a whole step to C.
A great example of drop C tuning is “Home Sweet Home” by Earl Scruggs. “Dig A Hole In The Meadow” by Flatt and Scruggs is in this tuning as well.
I really enjoy playing “Billy In The Lowground” in this tuning as seen here:
“Cowboys and Indians” by Bill Emerson is another favorite in drop C tuning.
Double C Tuning
Tuning: g C G C D
“Bear Tracks” by J.D Crowe. Some people play “Angeline The Baker” in this tuning. Clawhammer banjo players will often play songs like “Arkansas Traveler” or “Soldier’s Joy” in this tuning albeit capo’d or tuned up a whole step.
G Minor Tuning
Tuning: g D G Bb G
Here we tune the 2nd string down a half-step. This enables us to roll the 2nd string and fit a G minor chord. One song I’ve heard in this tuning is “Kentucky Mandolin”
“Ghost Riders In The Sky” is another one that can work quite well in this tuning.
Drop A Tuning
A tuning that isn’t as common as the ones above, but I really enjoy using it is drop A tuning.
Tuning: A D G A D
I tune the 5th string up to A and the 2nd string down to A. This tuning can give a particular haunting sound to songs in A or Dminor due to the extra drone.
Sawmill or Modal Tuning
Tuning: g D G C D
All that is needed is the 2nd string is tuned up a half step to C.
The song examples of this tuning are countless in clawhammer banjo playing. This is one of their favorites, although seldom used in bluegrass. “Cluck Old Hen” immediately comes to mind. Pretty Polly and Lonesome John are two others I have played in Sawmill tuning. If you’d like to see the chord shapes for Sawmill tuning visit my prior article.
Hopefully this gives you a few ideas on some alternate tunings for your banjo. As always, feel free to message me with any questions you might have.
