TUNING REFERENCE

Open G (Banjo) tuning

G · D · G · B · D

Open G (Banjo) is a 5-string banjo tuning with open strings G–D–G–B–D.

Instrument
Banjo (5-String)
Strings
5
Open notes
G D G B D
With octaves
G4 D3 G3 B3 D4

FREE FRETBOARD REFERENCE

G Minor on the fretboard

Find each scale tone in a catalog tuning. Filled notes marked R are roots; outlined notes are other tones. Open strings are fret 0.

Choose a scale to see it in Open G (Banjo). A scale does not need to contain every open-string note to be played in this tuning.

Banjo (5-String) referenceG Minor scale in this tuning

Banjo (5-String) · Open G (Banjo) · Frets 0–12 · All scale tones

G Minor in Open G (Banjo) on Banjo (5-String)Physical string order is preserved, with the first catalog string at the bottom. Read exact frets and pitches in the table below. Roots carry an R marker.0123456789101112G4D3G3B3D4String 1, fret 0: G4, rootGRString 1, fret 2: A4AString 1, fret 3: A#4A#String 1, fret 5: C5CString 1, fret 7: D5DString 1, fret 8: D#5D#String 1, fret 10: F5FString 1, fret 12: G5, rootGRString 2, fret 0: D3DString 2, fret 1: D#3D#String 2, fret 3: F3FString 2, fret 5: G3, rootGRString 2, fret 7: A3AString 2, fret 8: A#3A#String 2, fret 10: C4CString 2, fret 12: D4DString 3, fret 0: G3, rootGRString 3, fret 2: A3AString 3, fret 3: A#3A#String 3, fret 5: C4CString 3, fret 7: D4DString 3, fret 8: D#4D#String 3, fret 10: F4FString 3, fret 12: G4, rootGRString 4, fret 1: C4CString 4, fret 3: D4DString 4, fret 4: D#4D#String 4, fret 6: F4FString 4, fret 8: G4, rootGRString 4, fret 10: A4AString 4, fret 11: A#4A#String 5, fret 0: D4DString 5, fret 1: D#4D#String 5, fret 3: F4FString 5, fret 5: G4, rootGRString 5, fret 7: A4AString 5, fret 8: A#4A#String 5, fret 10: C5CString 5, fret 12: D5D

Notes-per-string views select the first matching scale tones on each string at or above the starting fret, within a 12-fret window. These are position studies: crossing strings can repeat or skip pitches. They are not guaranteed continuous ascending runs or finger assignments. Four-note layouts can require stretches or position shifts.

Fret positions and pitches · first catalog string to last
Open stringFretsNotes with octaves
1 · G40 · 2 · 3 · 5 · 7 · 8 · 10 · 12G4 · A4 · A#4 · C5 · D5 · D#5 · F5 · G5
2 · D30 · 1 · 3 · 5 · 7 · 8 · 10 · 12D3 · D#3 · F3 · G3 · A3 · A#3 · C4 · D4
3 · G30 · 2 · 3 · 5 · 7 · 8 · 10 · 12G3 · A3 · A#3 · C4 · D4 · D#4 · F4 · G4
4 · B31 · 3 · 4 · 6 · 8 · 10 · 11C4 · D4 · D#4 · F4 · G4 · A4 · A#4
5 · D40 · 1 · 3 · 5 · 7 · 8 · 10 · 12D4 · D#4 · F4 · G4 · A4 · A#4 · C5 · D5

Intervals from the first string

Each interval is measured by pitch class from the first physical open string. String order is preserved for re-entrant and doubled-course tunings.

StringNoteSemitonesInterval
1G40Root
2D37Perfect 5th
3G30Root
4B34Major 3rd
5D47Perfect 5th

Compare with Open G (Banjo)

Pitch changes in semitones for each physical string, compared with Open G (Banjo). Negative values lower the pitch; positive values raise it. Check your instrument and string gauges before changing register.

StringDefault pitchThis tuningChange
1G4G40 semitones
2D3D30 semitones
3G3G30 semitones
4B3B30 semitones
5D4D40 semitones

Explore this string layout

Browse 5-string banjo tunings. Related tunings below prioritize the default tuning, matching interval structures, and nearby open-string pitches.

Chords available in the open strings

G Major

Scales containing every open-string pitch class

C MajorD MajorE MinorE Minor pentatonicG MajorG Major pentatonicA MinorB Minor

Related tunings

Sawmill (Banjo)Double C (Banjo)Open D (Banjo)

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