Banjo · Chapter 17 of 23
Double C and Open D Tunings
Old-time banjo players often retune for each key. Two tunings beyond open G will cover a great many tunes: double C and open D.
A tuning sets which notes ring open. Tunes sound best, and are easiest to play, when the open strings belong to the tune’s key. Bluegrass players mostly stay in open G and use a capo; clawhammer players retune often.
Double C: g C G C D
From open G, change two strings: lower the 4th string from D down to C (two frets’ worth), and raise the 2nd string from B up to C (one fret’s worth). The 5th, 3rd and 1st strings stay the same. It’s called double C because two strings are C.
Double C is the tuning for tunes in C, and, with a capo at the 2nd fret, for tunes in D (see the next chapter). Its main chords:
Open D: f♯ D F♯ A D
From open G, lower the 5th string from G to F♯ (one fret), the 3rd string from G to F♯ (one fret) and the 2nd string from B to A (two frets). The 4th and 1st strings stay D. Strummed open, the banjo now plays a D chord.
Retuning tips. Always use the tuner after retuning: lowering one string slightly raises the others, because the head and neck relax a little. Check twice. There are many more banjo tunings; the next one most players meet is sawmill or “mountain minor” tuning, g D G C D, for modal tunes.
A tune in double C
Angeline the Baker lies beautifully in double C: most of the melody is on open strings and the 2nd fret, and the 5th string’s G fits right into the tune. Retune, then play it slowly.
Remember
- Double C: g C G C D (from open G: 4th down to C, 2nd up to C).
- Open D: f♯ D F♯ A D (from open G: 5th and 3rd down to F♯, 2nd down to A).
- Retune for the key; check with the tuner twice.