The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #77414   Message #1380401
Posted By: pavane
17-Jan-05 - 05:47 AM
Thread Name: Chord Req: Banjo tuning for 'Drunken Sailor' in Em
Subject: RE: Chord Req: Banjo tuning for 'Drunken Sailor' in Em
First step is to understand which notes form these chords
These chords use only the notes from the scale of D. (D E F# G A B C#)

Em is E G B E
D is D F# A D
G is G B D G
(C# is not used in any of these chords)

Theoretically, the notes should be in that order , left to right being bass to treble, but it's not essential.

Second step is to identify these notes on your instrument. I believe the standard banjo tuning(s) will enable these to be played, no need to consider retuning.

When you have learned to do this, you will be able to find ANY chord in ANY key.

(As an alternative, you can use the notes from the scale of C, capo up 2 and play chords Dm, C and F instead.)