Banjo Em chord (Sawmill)E minor on the 5-string banjo: 5 4 4 5, and 4 more shapes

Frets, string 4 to string 1: 5 4 4 5 (from the 4th fret)

1. String 4 (D): 5th fret, middle 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): 5th fret, ring finger, G
5. String 5, the short g: open, G, in the chord

Sounds: G B E G  ·  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 g is the minor 3rd of Em, so let it ring.

With a capo: on the 2nd fret it’s 0 2 2 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.

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