Tenor Banjo chord library

Click the chord name to edit.

G minor uses the notes G, B♭ and D. Below are the ways to play it, easiest first. Play a shape to hear it, or copy its diagram for your own notes.

StringsPick an instrument and tuning to fill in the tuning field, or type your own tuning there: Preset then shows Custom, or the matching preset if you type one. The reset button beside the field goes back to the last preset. Strings run from lowest (left) to highest (right). A number after a note is that string's first fret, e.g. G5DGBD for bluegrass Banjo. Spaces are optional. The settings button beside the field sets the octave each string plays in; changed octaves make the tuning Custom until reset.
SongChords in song order, separated by spaces or new lines. Type b or ♭ for flat and # or ♯ for sharp, such as Bb or B♭; ° works for dim and ⁺ for aug. Add | to start a new row of diagrams, including in copied and saved images (for example, G C | D G). Add a section header in square brackets, such as [Chorus], to start a new section with its title above the following chord. Section titles also appear in copied and saved images. Supported: major, m, aug or +, dim, 7 or dom7, maj7, 9, 11, 13 or dom13, sus2, sus4, add9, and slash bass notes such as D/F# (the bass note is played on the lowest sounding string). Mode names work too: Gdor, Amix, Cphr.

Create a new song with the chord Gm.

Make a song
Layout
Display size How large the chord charts are drawn on this screen. As many as fit share each row, and the chord names grow with the charts. Saved with your settings.
Image columns How many chord charts share a row in copied and saved images and in the text chord sheet. It doesn't change the charts on screen. Saved with the song.6
Chart
Sets the number of fret spaces shown in each diagram, from 3 to 6. More frets show a wider section of the neck and allow wider chord shapes.
Shows fret numbers above fretted strings on the selected chord diagrams and exported images. Numbers are relative to the capo. The numbers inside note markers remain chord degrees.
Shows suggested left-hand finger numbers below the strings on the selected chord diagrams and exported images: 1 is the index finger, 4 the little finger and T the thumb.
RootHow the chord's root is marked in the note dots: 1, its chord degree like the 3 and 5 beside it, or a star. Saved with your settings when you're signed in.
Also tries capo positions 0 to 7. Moving the capo away from its current fret costs a little, so it only moves when that makes the song clearly easier.
Prefers neighbouring chords that sit close together on the neck and share fingering, so fewer fingers lift and land at each change.
Prefers songs that stay in a tight range of the neck. A steady climb or descent is better than jumping up and down.
  1. 2Scale degree 5; fret 25Open string, scale degree 11Open string, scale degree 551Scale degree 3; fret 13Finger 22Finger 11
  2. 33Scale degree 3; fret 335Scale degree 1; fret 515Scale degree 5; fret 55Finger 11Finger 33Finger 44
  3. 22Scale degree 5; fret 253Scale degree 3; fret 335Scale degree 1; fret 515Scale degree 5; fret 55Finger 11Finger 22Finger 33Finger 44
  4. 57Scale degree 1; fret 717Scale degree 5; fret 758Scale degree 3; fret 835Scale degree 5; fret 55Finger 22Finger 33Finger 44Finger 11
  5. 77Scale degree 1; fret 717Scale degree 5; fret 758Scale degree 3; fret 8310Scale degree 1; fret 101Finger 11Finger 22Finger 33Finger 44
  6. 10Barre at fret 1010Scale degree 3; fret 10312Scale degree 1; fret 12112Scale degree 5; fret 12510Scale degree 1; fret 101Finger 11Finger 33Finger 44Finger 11
  7. 1214Scale degree 5; fret 14512Scale degree 1; fret 12112Scale degree 5; fret 12513Scale degree 3; fret 133Finger 44Finger 11Finger 22Finger 33
  8. 710Scale degree 3; fret 1037Scale degree 5; fret 758Scale degree 3; fret 8310Scale degree 1; fret 101Finger 33Finger 11Finger 22Finger 44
  9. 1010Scale degree 3; fret 10312Scale degree 1; fret 12112Scale degree 5; fret 12513Scale degree 3; fret 133Finger 11Finger 22Finger 33Finger 44
  10. 57Scale degree 1; fret 71Open string, scale degree 118Scale degree 3; fret 835Scale degree 5; fret 55Finger 33Finger 44Finger 22
  11. 710Scale degree 3; fret 1037Scale degree 5; fret 75Open string, scale degree 5510Scale degree 1; fret 101Finger 33Finger 11Finger 44
  12. 1010Scale degree 3; fret 103Open string, scale degree 11Open string, scale degree 5510Scale degree 1; fret 101Finger 22Finger 33

Chord notes

G · B♭ · D

Chord formula

1 · ♭3 · 5

Tuning

Standard, CGDA, lowest string first

Guide

How to use this chord page

Find a shape you can play, hear how it sounds, and take it into a song.

  1. Look up another chord

    Click the chord name at the top of the page and type the chord you want, such as G7, Dsus4 or F#m7. The shapes change as soon as the name is a chord. Press Enter to keep it, or Esc to go back.

  2. Pick your instrument and tuning

    Choose Guitar, Mandolin, 5-String Banjo, Tenor Banjo or Ukulele, then a preset tuning, or type your own with the lowest string first, such as DADGAD. If you play with a capo, enter its fret. Every shape is redrawn for the new setup.

  3. Read the diagrams

    Shapes run from easiest to hardest. The number in each dot is its chord degree: 1 is the root (or a star, if you choose that under Diagram), so you can see which note is the 3rd, the 5th or the 7th. Finger numbers sit below the strings: 1 is the index finger, 4 the little finger and T the thumb.

  4. Hear it and copy it

    Point at a diagram, or tap it on a phone, for its Play and Copy buttons. Play strums the shape, and Copy puts the diagram on your clipboard to paste into a document or message. Signed in, your own Play settings and copy format are used.

  5. Make a song

    Make a song opens Song Chart Maker with this chord, instrument, tuning and capo. Add the rest of the progression there to get a whole chord chart you can play, print, share or save.

Reference

Chord names you can use

Type b or ♭ for flat and # or ♯ for sharp: Bbm and B♭m both work. Chords are shown with music symbols.

Triads and power chords
Major (G), minor (Em), augmented (Caug, C+ or C⁺), diminished (Bdim or B°) and power chords (E5).
Sixths and sevenths
C6, Am6, dominant 7th (D7 or Ddom7), Fmaj7, Am7, diminished 7th (Bdim7) and half-diminished (Bm7b5).
Extended and altered chords
E9, Am9, Cmaj9, A11, G13, C6/9, and E7b9, E7#9, C7#5, C7b5.
Dominant chords
Write a dominant chord with or without dom: Gdom7 is the same as G7, and Gdom9, Gdom11 and Gdom13 are the same as G9, G11 and G13.
Suspended and added notes
Dsus2, Asus4, A7sus4, Cadd9.
Slash chords
D/F#, C/G and G/B. The bass note goes on the lowest sounding string.
Modes
A mode name gives that mode's chord: Gdor (dorian), Amix (mixolydian), Cphr (phrygian), Flyd (lydian), Bloc (locrian). The Reference page lists each mode's notes.
Chord library

Chord charts by instrument

Every common chord, with its easiest shapes and fingering.

Guitar chords
Standard tuning (EADGBE): major, minor, seventh, sus, diminished and augmented chords in every key.
Ukulele chords
Standard tuning (GCEA): major, minor, seventh, sus, diminished and augmented chords in every key.
Mandolin chords
Standard tuning (GDAE): major, minor, seventh, sus, diminished and augmented chords in every key.
5-String Banjo chords
Open G (Bluegrass) tuning (G5DGBD): major, minor, seventh, sus, diminished and augmented chords in every key.
Tenor Banjo chords
Standard tuning (CGDA): major, minor, seventh, sus, diminished and augmented chords in every key.
Reference

Instruments and tunings

Strings are listed from lowest to highest. You can also type any tuning of your own.

Guitar
Standard EADGBE · Drop D DADGBE · Double Drop D DADGBD · DADGAD DADGAD · Open G DGDGBD · Open D DADF♯AD · Open E EBEG♯BE · Open A EAC♯EAE · Open C CGCGCE · Open D Minor DADFAD · Half Step Down E♭A♭D♭G♭B♭E♭ · Full Step Down DGCFAD · All Fourths EADGCF · New Standard CGDAEG · Baritone BEADF♯B
Mandolin
Standard GDAE · Sawmill (Modal) GDAD · Open G GDGB · Cross G GDGD · Cross A / Calico AEAE · Mandola CGDA
Banjo 5-String
Open G (Bluegrass) G5DGBD · Double C G5CGCD · Sawmill (Mountain Minor) G5DGCD · G Modal G5DGB♭D · C Tuning G5CGBD · Open D F♯5DF♯AD · Double D A5DF♯AD
Banjo Tenor
Standard CGDA · Irish GDAE · Plectrum CGBD
Ukulele
Standard GCEA · D Tuning ADF♯B · Bb Tuning FB♭DG · Slack Key (Open C) GCEG · Baritone DGBE
Questions

Common questions

How does it choose the most playable shape?

It tries every shape within a few frets, at every position up the neck, that sounds the chord. It drops shapes that need more than four fingers or leave out the notes that define the chord. The rest are ranked to favour the shapes found in standard chord books: few fingers, a comfortable stretch, the root in the bass and a full sound.

What do the numbers on a diagram mean?

The number inside each dot is its chord degree: 1 for the root, 3 for the third, 5 for the fifth, and so on. Diagram settings can mark the root with a star instead. A circled degree above a string is an open string, and × is a muted one. Optional fret numbers appear above the strings, and finger numbers below them: 1 for the index finger through 4 for the little finger, and T for the thumb.

How does the capo work?

Set any capo fret from 0 to 12. Diagrams are drawn relative to the capo, so a G shape with the capo on 2 is still drawn as a G shape and sounds as an A. The Nut field shows the pitch each open string sounds with the capo on.

Can I use an alternate or custom tuning?

Yes. Pick one of the presets above, such as Drop D, DADGAD or an open tuning, or type your own notes, lowest string first. For a string that starts above the nut, add its first fret after the note: G5DGBD is the open G Banjo tuning with its short fifth string.

How do I play slash chords like D/F#?

The note after the slash is played on the lowest sounding string, so D/F# gives a D chord with F# in the bass. On Ukulele and Banjo, the lowest-numbered string counts as the bass even when it is a high drone string.

Is it free?

Yes. Song Chart Maker and the chord pages are free to use and need no account or download. It runs in any modern browser on a computer, tablet or phone.

My songs

    String octaves

    Slide the tuner up or down to adjust the string octave.

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