Banjo E chord (Open D)E major on the 5-string banjo: 2 2 2 2, and 3 more shapes
Frets, string 4 to string 1: 2 2 2 2 (first position)
- String 4 (D): 2nd fret, index finger (barre), E
- String 3 (F♯): 2nd fret, index finger (barre), G♯
- String 2 (A): 2nd fret, index finger (barre), B
- String 1 (D): 2nd fret, index finger (barre), E
- String 5, the short f♯: open, F♯, not in the chord
Sounds: E G♯ B E · E is E, G♯, B (1 · 3 · 5)
Found in: A major (V), B major (IV), B mixolydian (IV), B dorian (IV), E major (I), E mixolydian (I)
The 5th string: the short f♯ adds the 9th over E, a colour rather than a clash.
With a capo: on the 2nd fret it’s 0 0 0 0 (frets counted from the capo), an open D shape. Spike the 5th string at the 7th fret to keep it in tune with the capo.
Open D tuning: f♯DF♯AD, the short 5th string first, then strings 4 to 1.
The link can’t set the tuning: the app starts in open G. Choose Open D once in its Settings and it remembers.
More E shapes
- 6 5 7 6
5fr - 9 10 11 9
9fr - 14 14 14 14
14fr
Other E chords in Open D
Other major chords
E in other tunings
All Open D banjo chords · Printable chart (PDF) · How to tune · The app