Banjo A chord (Open G)A major on the 5-string banjo: 2 2 2 2, and 1 more shape

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

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

Sounds: E 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.

Up the neck: F shape: 7 6 5 7 (5fr); D shape: 11 9 10 11 (9fr); Barre shape: 14 14 14 14 (14fr). Slide a shape up or down to play another chord of its kind.

With a capo: on the 2nd fret it’s 0 0 0 0 (frets counted from the capo), an open G shape. Spike the 5th string at the 7th fret to keep it in tune with the capo.

Open G tuning: gDGBD, the short 5th string first, then strings 4 to 1.