Standard Bluegrass Banjo Chords:

Denis LePage

String >

5

4

3

2

1

Fret # >

1

I

I

2

M

R

I

M

3

M

4

P

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

C chord

D Chord

D 7

1

I

I

2

M

M

R

M

R

3

R

P

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

F Chord

E Chord

E minor

1

2

I

I

I

I

3

I

4

M

I

I

I

I

5

R

P

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

A Chord

G Chord

B Chord

Note:

I = "index finger", M = middle, R = Ring, P = Pinky,

The finger used is placed in the space to the left of the string it is depressing in the above diagrams.

The open strings form a G chord.

The Chromatic Scale and the Major Chords

In this section you can learn how to find any major chord using the chromatic scale

and the 3 major chord formations on the banjo.

The Chromatic Scale:

Using the 3rd String as a reference point,

I have written in the notes of the Chromatic scale on the fingerboard below.

G

(the open 3rd string)

Fret >

1

G#

For our purposes we use sharps and flats interchangeably.

2

A

Therefore

A# = B flat.

3

A#

G# = A flat

4

B

C# = D flat

5

C

and so on.

6

C#

7

D

8

D#

9

E

10

F

11

F#

12

G

The Major Scale:

Any Major scale can be formed by starting anywhere in the Chormatic scale and

applying the following formula:

Interval between the notes

Starting

2 frets

2 frets

1 fret

2 frets

2 frets

2 frets

1 fret

G

A

B

C

D

E

F#

G

Or starting with:

C

D

E

F

G

A

B

C

Or starting with:

A

B

C#

D

E

F#

G#

A

The Notes can be numbered:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1

A MAJOR CHORD is formed when notes # 1, 3 and 5 in the major scale are played together.

If you can remember:

the chord shapes below and the chromatic scale above you can find

any major chord just by repositioning the chord shape on the neck.

Here are the 3 Major chord shapes:

String >

5

4

3

2

1

Fret # >

1

I

2

M

I

I

I

I

I

3

R

P

M

4

R

P

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

F-Shape Chord

D-Shape Chord

Bar-Shape Chord

"F" at this position

"D" at this position

"A" at this positon

1

I

2

M

R

3

I

4

M

5

R

P

I

I

I

I

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

"G" at this position

"C" at this position

"C" at this position

1

2

3

4

I

5

M

6

I

R

P

7

M

I

I

I

I

8

R

P

9

10

11

12

"C" at this position

"E" at this position

"D" at this position

The Minor Scale:

For our puposes, the Minor Scale is the same as the Major Scales but with

the 3rd note played 1 fret flat.

Interval between the notes

Starting

2 frets

1fret

2

2 frets

2 frets

2 frets

1 fret

G

A

B

C

D

E

F#

G

Or starting with:

C

D

E

F

G

A

B

C

Or starting with:

A

B

C#

D

E

F#

G#

A

The Notes can be numbered:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1

A MINOR CHORD is formed when notes # 1, 3 and 5 in the minor scale are played together.

Here are the 3 Minor chord shapes:

String >

5

4

3

2

1

Fret # >

1

M

I

I

2

I

I

I

I

3

R

P

R

M

P

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

Fm-Shape Chord

Dm-Shape Chord

Barm-Shape Chord

"Fm" at this position

"Dm" at this position

"Am" at this positon

1

M

I

R

2

3

M

I

4

I

5

R

P

I

I

I

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

"Gm" at this position

"Cm" at this position

"Cm" at this position

1

2

3

4

I

5

R

M

P

6

M

I

I

7

I

I

I

8

R

P

9

10

11

12

"C" at this position

"E" at this position

"D" at this position

The 7th Chords

7th chords are formed by playing the FLATTENED 7th note with the

other notes in the MAJOR SCALE.

Interval between the notes

Starting

2 frets

2 frets

1 fret

2 frets

2 frets

2 frets

1 fret

G

A

B

C

D

E

F#

G

Or starting with:

C

D

E

F

G

A

B

C

Or starting with:

A

B

C#

D

E

F#

G#

A

The Notes can be numbered:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1

So, in the key of G for example we need to play the flattened 7th note or an "F" to make a G 7th chord.

Here are the 7th chord Shapes:

String >

5

4

3

2

1

Fret # >

1

I

I

M

2

M

I

I

I

I

3

R

4

R

P

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

F7-Shape Chord

D7-Shape Chord

Bar-Shape Chord

"F7" at this position

"D7" at this position

"A7" at this positon

OR use:

Alternate:

1

I

2

M

R

3

I

I

P

I

4

M

5

R

I

I

I

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

"G7" at this position

"C7" at this position

"C7" at this position

1

2

3

4

5

I

I

6

I

I

M

R

7

M

P

I

I

I

8

R

9

10

11

12

"C7" at this position

"E7" at this position

"D7" at this position