Banjo B♭ chord (Open G)B♭ major on the 5-string banjo: 3 3 3 3, and 3 more shapes

Frets, string 4 to string 1: 3 3 3 3 (first position)

1. String 4 (D): 3rd fret, index finger (barre), F
2. String 3 (G): 3rd fret, index finger (barre), B♭
3. String 2 (B): 3rd fret, index finger (barre), D
4. String 1 (D): 3rd fret, index finger (barre), F
5. String 5, the short g: open, G, not in the chord

Sounds: F B♭ D F  ·  B♭ is B♭, D, F (1 · 3 · 5)

Found in: C mixolydian (♭VII), G dorian (♭III), C dorian (♭VII), G minor (♭III), D minor (♭VI), C minor (♭VII)

The 5th string: the short g adds the 6th over B♭, a colour rather than a clash.

Up the neck: F shape: 8 7 6 8 (6fr); D shape: 12 10 11 12 (10fr); Barre shape: 15 15 15 15 (15fr). Slide a shape up or down to play another chord of its kind.

With a capo: on the 3rd fret it’s 0 0 0 0 (frets counted from the capo), an open G shape. Spike the 5th string at the 8th fret to keep it in tune with the capo.

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