Banjo Em chord (Open D)E minor on the 5-string banjo: 2 1 2 2, and 3 more shapes

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

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

Sounds: E G B E  ·  Em is E, G, B (1 · ♭3 · 5)

Found in: G major (vi), D major (ii), C major (iii), G mixolydian (vi), A mixolydian (v), D mixolydian (ii)

The 5th string: the short f♯ rubs against the G in this shape, a semitone away: some players let it ring, some skip it.

With a capo: on the 2nd fret it’s 0 3 0 3 (frets counted from the capo), an open Dm 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.