Brief Explanation On How To Tune A 6-String Banjo

The banjo is a stringed musical instrument with its roots in traditional or folk music. It has since been adapted to play bluegrass, jazz, country and other modern musical genres. Initially it was designed to have four or five strings but in the mid 19th century a British crafter developed a 6-stringed version. From then on countless people took to playing the hybrid which has become a darling to versatile players and lovers of the banjo sound. Explained here is how to tune a 6-string banjo easily.

The fastest method to tune the instrument is utilizing an electronic tuner. The gadget is clipped to the neck of the banjo so as to minimize the errors and difficulty associated with non-clip tuners. Seek to be seated in a comfortable position where you can see the display while simultaneously plucking the strings.

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 properly pegged the second chord, go to the third one and tune it D. Go on tuning the strings each to the required note up to the last wire which you will peg to the top E note. Remember to keep your eyes on the tuner and avoid adjusting the pegs once you are locked on the correct note. Be subtle as you twist the pegs and be careful not to form nodes on the strings for nodes become breakage points.

If you do not have an electronic tuner you can tune your instrument online provided you have a good microphone connected to your computer and an excellent Internet connection. Follow the instructions provided in a tuning website making sure that the microphone captures the sound as you pluck the strings. However, acquire an electronic tuner if possible and within a short while you will develop the skill to tune perfectly and fast.

Have a sneak peek at our review on how to easily tune a 6-String Banjo for advice on where to buy 6-string banjo online and features of a Dean Banjitar