The banjo is a very old traditional musical instrument that is used to play country music, jazz, bluegrass and other musical forms. The most common and oldest versions have four or five strings but in the mid 19th century a British designer crafted the first 6-string banjo that is equally as charming. Most people find this version agreeable to play and enjoy it for the distinct banjo sound. Here is a simple guideline of how to tune a 6-string banjo.
To do this easily and accurately, acquire an electronic tuner. Clip the gadget onto the headstock of your banjo, twist the display where you can easily see it and find a suitable sitting position for the procedure.
Note that the instrument is to be tuned to E-A-D-G-B-E notes just like the guitar and therefore a normal guitar tuner will do adequately. When you are seated properly and the tuner is switched on it is time for your fingers to do the plucking and for your eyes to watch the display.
When the chord is too tight, the pitch will tend towards F which is higher than required in which case the peg needs to be loosened a bit. The string is perfectly tuned when it is plucked and the display indicates a stable E.
If the indicator moves to F then you know that the string is too tight and requires some loosening at the peg. The optimum position is where the tuner displays the note E when the wire is plucked. Next is the second thickest string which is tuned A. Always make sure you first of all loosen the strings before adjusting to ensure that the wire stretches uniformly without forming nodes. As with the first chord, check that as you pluck and adjust the peg the display gives you the required note and in this case the note A.
Having succeeded in that move on to the third wire and peg it until it hits the note D. Follow the same procedure for all the other strings and finally tune the sixth wire to a high E. When you are turning the pegs try to do it gently and slowly until you achieve correct note without forming nodes.
If you have a microphone set connected to your PC and a good Internet connection you can tune your banjo online nowadays. Follow the instructions provided in the tuning websites and you are good to go. You can also purchase tuners that come preloaded with easy to use instructions and with time you will be tuning your instrument easily as you play.
To do this easily and accurately, acquire an electronic tuner. Clip the gadget onto the headstock of your banjo, twist the display where you can easily see it and find a suitable sitting position for the procedure.
Note that the instrument is to be tuned to E-A-D-G-B-E notes just like the guitar and therefore a normal guitar tuner will do adequately. When you are seated properly and the tuner is switched on it is time for your fingers to do the plucking and for your eyes to watch the display.
When the chord is too tight, the pitch will tend towards F which is higher than required in which case the peg needs to be loosened a bit. The string is perfectly tuned when it is plucked and the display indicates a stable E.
If the indicator moves to F then you know that the string is too tight and requires some loosening at the peg. The optimum position is where the tuner displays the note E when the wire is plucked. Next is the second thickest string which is tuned A. Always make sure you first of all loosen the strings before adjusting to ensure that the wire stretches uniformly without forming nodes. As with the first chord, check that as you pluck and adjust the peg the display gives you the required note and in this case the note A.
Having succeeded in that move on to the third wire and peg it until it hits the note D. Follow the same procedure for all the other strings and finally tune the sixth wire to a high E. When you are turning the pegs try to do it gently and slowly until you achieve correct note without forming nodes.
If you have a microphone set connected to your PC and a good Internet connection you can tune your banjo online nowadays. Follow the instructions provided in the tuning websites and you are good to go. You can also purchase tuners that come preloaded with easy to use instructions and with time you will be tuning your instrument easily as you play.
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Check out our article on how to tune a 6-String Banjo for advice on where to buy 6-string banjo online and features of a Dean Banjitar
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