Banjo E chord (Sawmill)E major on the 5-string banjo: 6 4 4 6, and 3 more shapes

Frets, string 4 to string 1: 6 4 4 6 (from the 4th fret)

1. String 4 (D): 6th fret, ring finger, G♯
2. String 3 (G): 4th fret, index finger (barre), B
3. String 2 (C): 4th fret, index finger (barre), E
4. String 1 (D): 6th fret, little finger, G♯
5. String 5, the short g: open, G, not in the chord

Sounds: G♯ B E G♯  ·  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 g 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 2 2 4 (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.

Sawmill tuning: gDGCD, the short 5th string first, then strings 4 to 1.