Banjo A chord (Double C)A major on the 5-string banjo: 1 2 1 2, and 3 more shapes

A chord chart for 5-string banjo in Double C tuning: 1 2 1 2, first position, with the short 5th string marked
A (A major) on the 5-string banjo, Double C: 1 2 1 2, string 4 to string 1. Fingers are numbered on the dots; copper marks the root; the green ring on the left is the 5th string, solid when it’s in the chord.

Frets, string 4 to string 1: 1 2 1 2 (first position)

  1. String 4 (C): 1st fret, index finger (barre), C♯
  2. String 3 (G): 2nd fret, middle finger, A
  3. String 2 (C): 1st fret, index finger (barre), C♯
  4. String 1 (D): 2nd fret, ring finger, E
  5. String 5, the short g: open, G, not in the chord

Sounds: C♯ A C♯ E  ·  A is A, C♯, E (1 · 3 · 5)

Found in: A major (I), D major (V), A mixolydian (I), B mixolydian (♭VII), B dorian (♭VII), B minor (♭VII)

The 5th string: the short g adds the ♭7 over A, a colour rather than a clash.

Double C tuning: gCGCD, the short 5th string first, then strings 4 to 1.

Hear it in the app ›

The link can’t set the tuning: the app starts in open G. Choose Double C once in its Settings and it remembers.

More A shapes

  1. 4fr1314gEC♯EA4 6 4 7
    4fr
  2. 9fr1113gAEAC♯9 9 9 11
    9fr
  3. 13fr1213gC♯AC♯E13 14 13 14
    13fr

Other A chords in Double C

AAmA7Am7Amaj7A6Asus4Asus2AdimAaug

Other major chords

GADCBEFB♭E♭F♯C♯A♭

A in other tunings

Open GSawmillOpen DC Tuning

All Double C banjo chords · Printable chart (PDF) · How to tune · The app