Your First Banjo Chords

FreeThe G Major Chord

Getting Off to an Easy Start

You may or may not know this but, when when your banjo is in G major tuning , strumming the open strings produces a G major chord! While there are other ways to make this chord on the banjo neck, w...

FreeThe D7 Chord

The Second Most Common Chord in the key of G

In G major tuning, you can play the D7 chord using just 2 fret hand fingers. Make sure to play on your fingertips, not the pads of your fingers. Also, try to place each finger as close to the back...

FreeChord Switching - G to D7

Tips to Make Chord Switching Smoother

When switching from G to D7, form the D7 chord in the air, or at least keep fingers curled above the fretboard. Try and hold the fingers as close to the strings as possible before playing the chord...

The C Major Chord

Trying Out a 3 Finger Chord

The C major chord can be a bit more challenging than the D7. It requires 3 fingers to play in this first position. Playing on the finger tips is the big challenge here. If you play more on the pad...

Chord Switching - G to C

Practicing Switching Between G and C chords

It's now time to practice switching between C and G. We'll use the same concepts learned in the G to D7 lesson to switch between G and C. Try to make the chord shape in the air above the strings wi...

Chord Switching - D7 to C

Visualization and Common Chord Fingerings

We've been practicing switching from chords that require fretted notes to playing the open G chord(which uses all open strings). Now, we'll try and work on switching between D7 and C. Start by play...

Strumming Along

Playing the Chords & Bum-Ditty for the A Section of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Now that you've gotten a handle on switching chords you're ready to add in the Bum-Ditty. If you don't know what the bum-ditty is and how to play it, then click the button below to check out the Be...

Just Keep Strumming

Strum Ditty the B section of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"

The B section is a one measure phrase that repeats. The words are different, but the melody and chord changes are the same. Focus on nailing one measure and you'll have the second down as well. Don...

Putting the Pieces Together

Playing the Backup to all of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

The Form of this song is ABBA. If you practiced the sections individually well, it should come together pretty quickly for you. If it doesn't, just practice it in pieces again. Remember to use the ...

Where to Now?

Next Steps

Now that you've gotten some experience switching chords, we'd like to offer you some advice on where to go next in your banjo journey. If you haven't checked out Getting Started with Clawhammer Ba...