Banjo G chord (Sawmill)G major on the 5-string banjo: 5 4 2 5, and 5 more shapes

Frets, string 4 to string 1: 5 4 2 5 (from the 2nd fret)

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

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

Found in: G major (I), D major (IV), C major (V), G mixolydian (I), A mixolydian (♭VII), D mixolydian (IV)

The 5th string: the short g is the root of G, so let it ring.

With a capo: on the 5th fret it’s 0 2 2 4 (frets counted from the capo), an open D shape. Spike the 5th string at the 10th fret to keep it in tune with the capo.

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