How to Read Banjo Chord Charts
Banjo chord diagrams are a simple way of representing a specific chord voicing. They consist of a grid with vertical and horizontal lines. These lines correspond to the strings and frets on the banjo. Symbols are added to the diagram to indicate which strings and frets are played, which fingering to use, and the name of the chord.
A chord diagram is shown below with each part labeled:
Explanation of the Parts of a Chord Diagram
- Chord symbol: indicates the root and type of chord.
- Vertical lines: represent the strings of the banjo. Starting with the leftmost line, the lines represent the strings in the following order: low D string, G string, B string, high D string
- Horitontal lines: horizontal lines represent frets. If the top line is thick, the diagrams starts at the nut of the banjo. If the top line is the same thickness as other lines, a number plus the abbreviation 'fr' will be placed at the top right side of the diagram to indicate the fret where the chord occurs.
- Dots: indicate which notes are fretted. Dots are placed on the string and fret where each note occurs.
- Circles: placed at the top of the diagram to indicate an open string (i.e., a string that is played, but not fretted).
- Fingering: numbers are placed in dots to indicate fingering. Numbers 1-4 are used to sprecify which fingers are used:
- 1 indicates the index finger
- 2 indicates the middle finger
- 3 indicates the ring finger
- 4 indicates the pinky