Banjo tuning
Banjo Sawmill / Mountain modal (gDGCD) Tuning
Modal, dark-sounding tuning for old-time tunes.
String pitches & frequencies
| String | Note | Frequency | MIDI | Interval to next | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | G4 | 392.00 Hz | 67 | 17 semitones down | |
| 4 | D3 | 146.83 Hz | 50 | perfect fourth | |
| 3 | G3 | 196.00 Hz | 55 | perfect fourth | |
| 2 | C4 | 261.63 Hz | 60 | major second | |
| 1 | D4 | 293.66 Hz | 62 | — |
5-string banjo: 5th (short drone) string first, then 4 → 1. Frequencies at A4 = 440 Hz, equal temperament.
Fretboard note map
| String | Open | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ | G | G♯ | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D |
| 2 | C | C♯ | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ | G | G♯ | A | A♯ | B | C |
| 3 | G | G♯ | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ | G |
| 4 | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ | G | G♯ | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D |
| 5 | G | G♯ | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ | G |
How to tune to Sawmill / Mountain modal (gDGCD)
- Open the chromatic tuner (or play each reference tone above).
- Start from the lowest string and tune each one to G4, D3, G3, C4, D4.
- Tune up to each pitch: if you overshoot, drop below and come back up so the string settles.
- Check every string once more — changing the tension of one string slightly pulls the others.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of Sawmill / Mountain modal (gDGCD) tuning?
G4 (392.00 Hz), D3 (146.83 Hz), G3 (196.00 Hz), C4 (261.63 Hz), D4 (293.66 Hz).
How do I tune a banjo to Sawmill / Mountain modal (gDGCD)?
Tune each string to the pitches above with a chromatic tuner, starting from the lowest string; then re-check, because changing one string's tension slightly detunes the others.