Four Common and Useful Tunings for Bluegrass Banjo

[@nathansummerlin6138]

I seems, to borrow your wording, I have been noddling with the banjo for 20 years. So anything new is great. With 8 children and now 16 grands, being retired, life is great. Still time and money are in short supply. saying all that to say this. As a wanna be banjo player, your channel provides inspiration and encouragement. Thanks Jim

[@JimPankey]

Thanks for letting me help you learn ☺️

[@leftycut1]

I'm gonna bookmark this. I'm still not very good at it yet but I'm havin' fun this will add more fun noodling around which will keep me picking. Thanks

[@JimPankey]

Have fun!

[@bendingb]

Jim, you have a great channel and your videos are always helpful and enjoyable to watch. I've been playing the banjo for about 6 months and your channel has been a great help. Thanks for all the great content!

[@JimPankey]

Glad to help!

[@EvilEmpire_4u]

JIM THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THIS AMAZING BANJEE CONTENT.

[@JimPankey]

Glad I can help!

[@Mando287Banjo]

Love how that stelling sounds!

[@JimPankey]

Thanks

[@stephaniesanders4768]

I love Jim the Editor. 😂

[@JimPankey]

🤣

[@bjwmorgan]

great lesson Jim, thanks for posting this, cheers

[@JimPankey]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@memriloc]

Great vid. Borrowed a banjo when coved hit and noodles with it a few times then mainly hacked around with stumming. I've really gotta pull both the banjo and my finger out and start doing something with it.

[@JimPankey]

Keep me posted on your progress

[@leftycut1]

Man , you should borrow this guy's (or gal) car, lawn mower or whatever. Think of all the stuff you could have if you never return it!!

[@williamsykes9612]

Thanks for the lesson Jim. Really liked the last song.

[@JimPankey]

Glad you liked it

[@BanjoBumbleBee]

I struggle when folk try to explain chords. My mind panics haha But that little tidbit of info "a major chord is the 1st, 3rd and 5th note of the scale" was like a lightbulb moment!

[@JimPankey]

Glad I could help 😀

[@henrymoore1608]

You sir, are a wonderful teacher

[@JimPankey]

Thank you kindly!

[@thefamily2707]

I now use D tuning starting today thanks Jim! 👍🏻

[@JimPankey]

Enjoy!

[@AustinBradley-zt2cb]

Thanks for the videos, Jim. I'd love to see more like this (and the Surviving a Jam video,) covering some broader concepts. I appreciated the mini lesson a lot as well. Learning the banjo as my first instrument, I find a bit of theory to be a huge help linking it all together and getting creative. Thanks again!

[@JimPankey]

Thanks for watching and the suggestions

[@CindaJohnson1]

I'm on my way to look at a Goldtone 250LW banjo. Never played a banjo in my life but have always wanted to. So glad I found you here. I think this is very helpful for me to get started. Cheers!

[@JimPankey]

Have fun!

[@josephperrigo7008]

Thanks! This content is definitely helpful. old classic rock player needs this type of thing😂

[@JimPankey]

Happy to help!

[@reserve161]

Very nice video! I say yes to this type of content!

[@JimPankey]

Awesome, thank you!

[@MarkRBlackwell]

Jim, I just wanna say thank you for all the wonderful content you upload. I'm 31 years old and just bought my first banjo. Can't wait to get started with your help!

[@JimPankey]

Keep me posted on your progress 😊

[@23ONEILL1]

52. Just starting.

[@stanthemando]

Hello JP, Has been a while since I have talked to you. I have used each of these tunings and I enjoy each one. I learned the Last Date from your channel, along with the Dillard roll with Doug's Tune. Don't get to play the Banjo as much due to traveling for work and it is difficult to store in the overhead on an airplane. How ever I do take my Mandolin everywhere I travel. Mark Ferris Hardy Music is one you should check out for there are 10 original songs there that features our two-man antics for music. Please look if you will. Thank you for all that you do for helping people of all ages around the world to expand their horizons in music.

[@JimPankey]

Thanks for letting me be a part of your banjo journey

[@lukasrh]

gread video. one of my favorite tunings besides the ones mentioned is double C tuning 🪕🔥

[@JimPankey]

I never use double C for any of the bluegrass tunes I play. I do use it for a lot of clawhammer stuff.

[@donaldfair4259]

Jim I loved this mini lesson . I noticed the absence of a capo . I thought you use a capo regularly . Except for the 5th string spike !

[@JimPankey]

No reason to talk about capo here since this was a lesson on common tunings.

[@bengullett2837]

Love this content

[@JimPankey]

Thanks 😊

[@charlotterogers8733]

Thankyou. Cute shirt 😊

[@JimPankey]

Thank you! 😊 Get yours here: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089028742556

[@ieatpineconesandilikeit]

Thanks Jim! Never heard of/used the Dm tuning, I’m excited to check it out. Some of my favorite tunings are double c (gCGCD), another version of the C tuning (gDGCD) and F (fDGCD). I guess these may be more folk than bluegrass, but wherever they come from they’re good fun!

[@JimPankey]

Yup, those are fun tunings, but rarely used in a bluegrass setting. Same can be said for Dm, but it's one that will come up occasionally.

[@mackplaysbanjo]

Great video, Jim. Also, I love the Stelling! It sounds great.

[@JimPankey]

Thanks!

[@rough_spirits]

Very interesting. Thanks for the insight

[@JimPankey]

Glad it was helpful!

[@AndyPlayedGuitar]

Ive got many years of wrestling standard tuning before I attempt anything else. Ive such a long way to go on the banjo!

[@JimPankey]

I always show my students C tuning about a month or two into the instrument. D tuning maybe a couple months later…

[@AndyPlayedGuitar]

@@JimPankey ok, well if I'm feeling brave I'll give it a go. Gotta get my rolls down first, bought my banjo a couple of years ago and have neglected it after an enthusiastic few months, time to get back on the proverbial saddle!

[@TonyMolesworthMusic]

Thanks

[@JimPankey]

Welcome

[@scottluck2516]

I love that Stelling!!! A Red Fox is on my bucket list, but I'm just relearning banjo after at least a ten year break. I don't feel I'm good enough to justify one yet!

[@JimPankey]

I bet you have a nice car? Do you drive as well as Mario Andretti? Don't cheat yourself out of having a nice instrument.

[@scottluck2516]

@@JimPankey right now I'm playing a Morgan Monroe Rocky Top. It's surprisingly pretty good. Once I get the ex-wife payed off then I'll be more in Red Fox budget!! Great point though, and I do have a nice 79 Trans Am 🤣

[@JimPankey]

@@scottluck2516 79 Trans/Am ... Gold??

[@scottluck2516]

@@JimPankey black with gold decals and gold snowflake wheels!! My dad bought it new and kept it purty!!!

[@rustysimcox1735]

Nyyyyyyyce!! Good Stuff..

[@JimPankey]

Appreciate it!!

[@gregorybenton001]

currently enjoying the f#CGAD Country Blues (Dock Boggs/ Doc Watson)

[@gregorybenton001]

which I guess would be more old-time style? still fun to mess with!

[@JimPankey]

Still a fun tuning!

[@chargert9]

Awesome a Thank You 👍

[@JimPankey]

No problem 👍

[@keyboardmamma]

Hey Jim! Greetings from down under and hope you are well. Was just wondering if that opening phrase at the very start of the video was from a specific tune or if you improvised it because frankly it is awesome!

[@JimPankey]

It’s just a little chord progression. I’ll use it for intros and stuff.

[@gp-banjo]

It's been about a year since I picked up the banjo, which also marks my 14th birthday (I'm not sure what I should be more excited about honestly!) Anyway, thanks for the videos. The C tuning is my favorite.

[@JimPankey]

Happy birthday!

[@yingyang123100]

Hey Jim! learned from your beginner blugrass videos, been playing a little over a year now. I was wondering if you know of Raymond's talking banjo? I feel it's a fun little tune to play, but I've been unable to find the tab for it. Would you be able to show us something like this? Thank you!

[@JimPankey]

I’m familiar with it, but it’s not something I play. Mama Blues is a similar tune that Earl did.

[@rjwh67220]

Do you play two finger style? I think I’m only seeing a pick on your index finger. What some people can do with two fingers amazes me, guitarists Doc Watson, Jeff Beck, but the one that amazes me most is Rev. Gary Davis. Since I never learned to make that middle finger work, you two finger guys are such an inspiration to me! Thanks for the cool video! Oh, my fave tuning is Mountain Minor. Okay, I just saw your right hand up close on surviving bluegrass jam and you do play three fingers on it. But I do still admire two finger players.

[@JimPankey]

Yup, if I’m playing bluegrass it’ll be 3 finger style.

[@BrianMarcus-nz7cs]

Mountain minor, what's that m8 ?

[@rjwh67220]

@@BrianMarcus-nz7cs standard G tuning but tune the B up a half step to a C.

[@BrianMarcus-nz7cs]

Yes Rev Gary Davis , thanks, bin. On a billy Strings 😎 cocaine blues bro 🌿👍 Wokk Dotson , ☕

[@alwynnshae6309]

Thank you for another great video Jim! One question: when you use the double C tuning or gCGCD, why not tune the 1st string from D up to E and then you have a true open C chord?

[@JimPankey]

I do use that sometimes. I also use open C for Beartracks.

[@alwynnshae6309]

@@JimPankey Thanks again Jim! Now knowing that, is there any other reason for using an open C tuning other than liking playing songs in the key of C?

[@stevechaplin5987]

Hi Jim gonna try that on shady grove

[@JimPankey]

Let me know how it works for you

[@stevechaplin5987]

@@JimPankey will do thanks again for your help

[@jackorbit7258]

I like!

[@JimPankey]

Glad you like it 😊

[@leonreihana3322]

I stumbled on BEGEB. Would that be same as other tunings?

[@JimPankey]

I've never used that tuning.

[@something3441]

Which tunning do people refer to as sawmill tunning?

[@JimPankey]

gDGCD

[@something3441]

@@JimPankey Thanks Jim, what songs use that tuning if you will

[@JimPankey]

@something3441 I really don’t use the tuning with bluegrass style, but it comes up a lot in old time or clawhammer style.

[@tedtedsen269]

Hai Jim i can play the 5stringer at a ok level after a year of practising, waching YOUR videos my problem is when i play fast bluegras like 120-160bpm i can play clean rolls in that speed BUT when i change cord i MESS UP everything speed acuracety and timing whats wrong with me can you help or ist onley harder work to solve it

[@JimPankey]

It's good to try and speed up slowly. Chord changes do require a lot of practice, so stick to that, but also work with play along tracks, or (my preference) Strum Machine: strummachine.com

[@josephg.bradetich3064]

Great

[@josephg.bradetich3064]

Don't read but noodle don't read tabs but noodle see taught

[@josephg.bradetich3064]

Self taught

[@JimPankey]

Thanks

[@Tiny_Outdoors]

Where do you get your cradle straps from?

[@JimPankey]

I don’t usually use a cradle strap. The one on this banjo is from 1982 and I have no idea who made it. I’m currently using straps from www.BryanHooper.com

[@adrianrother926]

I often tune to G minor

[@JimPankey]

I've done that from time to time.

[@tomnelson3362]

I know there are more than 4 tunings. So what would work with a song in the key of Am and why? Thanks Jim.

[@JimPankey]

For Am I usually work out of standard tuning

[@JimPankey]

As for why… just seems practical.

[@tomnelson3362]

Great to hear. I tabbed this song in DGBE myself. Now I know exactly what to tune my banjo to. Thanks again. Tom N.@@JimPankey

[@JimPankey]

@tomnelson3362 DGBE Would be odd. Tuning is f#DF#AD

[@vickipryor9554]

Can others in a jam play with you easily if you’re in Dminor tuning?

[@JimPankey]

Yes

[@indesicive7046]

I really like playing in GCGBC

[@JimPankey]

What tunes do you play there?

[@indesicive7046]

@JimPankey nothing really specific, I generally play simpler chords with slower melodies

[@clawhammer704]

Do a video on not loping the rolls.

[@FullFrontalExposure]

what tuner do you use on your phone sir?

[@JimPankey]

iStroboSoft by Peterson

[@FullFrontalExposure]

@@JimPankey thank you kindly sir:)

[@brycehoulahan9493]

im a beginner and i find it really frustrating looking for really easy fingerstyle songs like man of constant sorrow, mabe a if you do any easy songs you call it a beginner song for the people that are looking for it. thanks a lot

[@JimPankey]

If you’ve been through my beginner series check out my “learn these next” playlist

[@ethanowings]

Hey there jim can you do a lesson on jesus love?

[@23ONEILL1]

Total beginner. Yes helpful. I know nothing.

[@JimPankey]

Glad it was helpful!