How to Tune Your Banjo To Sawmill Tuning

Sawmill tuning or, mountain minor tuning as it's sometimes known, gives songs a haunting, ethereal vibe that simply sounds great. You will find lots of familiar songs that use this tunings, and it's just plain fun to noodle around in. 

I've also created an easy to understand video to help you master sawmill tuning. Check it out!

How to Get Into Sawmill Tuning

Start out in standard tuning. If you need a refresher, it's:

• Fifth string (short string) - G
• Fourth string (lowest tone) - D
• Third string - G
• Second string - B
• First string - D

All you need to do is tune the second string up a half step to C. So now, you have:

• Fifth string - G
• Fourth string - D
• Third string - G
• Second string - C
• First string - D

What Gives Sawmill Tuning It's Sound

When you replace the B with a C in this tuning, you're turning that open G chord into a Gsus4 chord. That takes away the major or minor quality of the chord and gives it a sense of restlessness. Your ear doesn't quote know which way the tune is going. And, because it's usually the root chord of a song, it's going to give it that haunted sound. 

Sounds That Sound Great with Sawmill Tuning

A few songs to check out if you really want to learn this tuning:

• Dock Boggs version of Sugar Babe
• Shady Grove
• Cluck Old Hen
• Cuckoo Bird

Choose Your Own Adventure

Sawmill can be a strange and wonderful tuning. It's particularly associated with some of the older old-time songs and so can use progressions that are somewhat unfamiliar to our modern ears. I find the best way to get comfortable here is to plunk around, try some tabs, learn by ear and start building your ear for this tuning. 

Let's Get You Playing

Finally, if you don't know your bum from a bum-ditty, I'm here to help. I spent way too long struggling with the banjo, and getting frustrated. So, I created a totally free, 90-minute video course that will teach you to play your first song. Give it a try, and play your first song in just a week!