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

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

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

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

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

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

Up the neck: F minor shape: 7 5 5 7 (5fr); D minor shape: 10 9 10 10 (9fr); Barre minor shape: 14 14 13 14 (13fr). Slide a shape up or down to play another chord of its kind.

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