To bring the thread back onto topic, let me add this next thought. Tune your 5-string banjo to a-d-g-c-d and you have an excellent D modal tuning. You get your tonic chord by stopping the 2nd and 3rd strings on the 2nd fret: o-o-2-2-o.

Other useful chords:

F: o-3-2-o-3

C (with high a note drone): o-2-o-o-2

A: o-2-2-1-2

Am: o-2-2-o-2

G modal (with high a note drone): o-o-o-2-o

That should give you enough to get started. Try Reuben's Train, 900 Miles, Shalom Chaverim, John Hardy, Nottamun Town.

You can also leave the 1st string open as well as the 5th string so you get the double drone effect described earlier.

--- Steve