Open D Banjo Tuner
Open D tunes a 5-string banjo to a D F♯ A D, from the short 5th string to the 1st (A4, then D3 up to D4), so the open strings ring a D major chord. This open D banjo tuner is our banjo tuner with Open D already selected: pick a string and it shows the note, the cents and which way to turn.
String notes and frequencies
Banjo tuning, open D (5 strings): A4 D3 F♯3 A3 D4, from 146.83 Hz to 440.00 Hz, with A4 = 440 Hz.
| String | Note | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| String 5 | A4 | 440.00 |
| String 4 | D3 | 146.83 |
| String 3 | F♯3 | 185.00 |
| String 2 | A3 | 220.00 |
| String 1 | D4 | 293.66 |
How to use it
- Tap Turn on microphone and check that the Tuning menu shows Open D.
- Check the 4th and 1st strings first: both stay on D (D3 and D4), so they are your anchor.
- Lower the 3rd from G to F♯, a half step, and the 2nd from B to A, a whole step.
- Raise the short 5th string from G to A, a whole step, in small moves: it is the only string that goes up.
- Go over all five strings again: the floating bridge settles when the tension changes.
Help and explanations
Coming from open G (g D G B D), only three strings move: the 5th goes up a whole step, from G to A; the 3rd down a half step, from G to F♯; and the 2nd down a whole step, from B to A. The 4th and 1st strings stay on D. The result is a deeper, rounder sound for tunes and songs in D, much used in old-time and folk playing.
Open D, string by string
5th string: from G4 up to A4 (440.00 Hz). 4th: D3 (146.83 Hz), unchanged. 3rd: from G3 down to F♯3 (185.00 Hz). 2nd: from B3 down to A3 (220.00 Hz). 1st: D4 (293.66 Hz), unchanged.
To check by ear: the 4th string at the 4th fret gives F♯, the open 3rd; the 3rd string at the 3rd fret gives A, the open 2nd; and the 2nd string at the 5th fret gives D, the open 1st. For the short string, fret the 1st string at the 7th fret: it gives A4, the same note as the open 5th.
Chords and the 5th string in open D
As in any open tuning, a straight barre across the four long strings gives major chords: open, D; 5th fret, G; 7th fret, A, the I, IV and V of the key of D. The short 5th string is usually left open: it keeps ringing its A as a drone, which fits D and A and adds color to G.
Some players tune the 5th string to F♯ instead of A (f♯ D F♯ A D), which puts the third of the chord on top. This tuner's Open D uses A; for an F♯ 5th string (F♯4, 369.99 Hz), tune that string with the chromatic tuner.
Tips
- The banjo bridge floats: change one string at a time and check the 12th-fret octave once you are done.
- Banjos are loud: keep the phone about 20 inches (50 cm) away so the mic doesn't overload.
- Two D strings an octave apart: if the tuner lights up the wrong one, tap the button of the string you are tuning to lock the target.
- To return to open G, choose Open G (5-string) in the Tuning menu: lower the 5th back to G and raise the 3rd to G and the 2nd to B.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of open D on a 5-string banjo?
a D F♯ A D, from the 5th string to the 1st: A4 (440.00 Hz), D3 (146.83 Hz), F♯3 (185.00 Hz), A3 (220.00 Hz) and D4 (293.66 Hz), with A4 = 440 Hz.
How do I tune a banjo from open G to open D?
Raise the 5th string a whole step (G to A), lower the 3rd a half step (G to F♯) and lower the 2nd a whole step (B to A). The 4th and 1st stay on D. Strum the open strings: you should hear D major.
Can the 5th string be F♯ instead of A?
Yes, f♯ D F♯ A D is also played. This tuner's Open D uses A on the 5th string; for F♯ (F♯4, 369.99 Hz), use the chromatic tuner on that string.
What is the difference between open D and double D?
Double D (a D A D E) is double C raised a whole step. Its 3rd string is A, not F♯, so the open strings don't spell a major chord. In open D the 3rd string is F♯ and the open chord is D major.
Why does my banjo drift after I change tunings?
The bridge floats and the head flexes when the tension changes, so the other strings shift. Go over all five strings two or three times until nothing moves.
Is open D the same on guitar and banjo?
It is the same chord. The banjo's four long strings, D F♯ A D, match the 4th to 1st strings of a guitar in open D at the same pitch; the guitar adds D and A below them.