Banjo Em7 chord (Sawmill)E minor seventh on the 5-string banjo: 2 4 2 2, and 6 more shapes

Frets, string 4 to string 1: 2 4 2 2 (first position) · 5th string completes it

1. String 4 (D): 2nd fret, index finger (barre), E
2. String 3 (G): 4th fret, ring finger, B
3. String 2 (C): 2nd fret, index finger (barre), D
4. String 1 (D): 2nd fret, index finger (barre), E
5. String 5, the short g: open, G, in the chord

Sounds: E B D E  ·  Em7 is E, G, B, D (1 · ♭3 · 5 · ♭7)

The 5th string: the short g is the minor 3rd of Em7, so let it ring.

With a capo: on the 2nd fret it’s 0 2 0 3 (frets counted from the capo), an open Dm7 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.