The First 3 Banjo Chords Every Beginner Should Learn

If you just got your first banjo and are eager to start playing, learning a few basic chords is the perfect place to begin. Even if you're totally new, starting out with some essential chords is not as hard as you might think. You'll be sounding musical in no time! 

It may take a little practice, but I'll provide you some guidance here so that any aspiring banjo player can learn their first few chords. And, here's a cool thing, old-time music is pretty simple! That means with just these 3 chords and a capo, you'll be able to strum along to hundreds of songs. 

In this post, I'll share the first 3 banjo chords that every beginner should master. With just these 3 chords under your belt, you'll be able to begin strumming along and playing melodies in no time.

So get your banjo in playing position, tune to open G (that's GDGBD starting from the 5th string), and let's get started!

Chord #1 - G Major

The first chord we're going to look at is a G major chord. Now get ready, this might be a bit tricky. I want you to put your left hand behind your back. Now, take your right hand and strum all the strings. 

Sounds pretty decent, right? That's because you're in open G tuning. If you don't fret any notes, you're playing a G major chord. It's the simplest chord you can play!

To play a G chord, simply strum across all 5 strings in an open position. Make sure each string rings out clear and true. Getting comfortable with playing the open G chord is crucial, since you'll use it to start and end many songs in the key of G major.

Chord #2 - C Major

The next essential banjo chord for beginners is a C major chord. Along with G, the C major chord forms the foundation of many songs in G major and related keys.

To play a C major chord on the banjo, you'll need to press down three strings. Place your index or first finger on the first fret of the 2nd string. Then, use your ring or third finger to fret the 1st string on the 2nd fret. Finally, reach over with your middle finger and fret the 4th string on the 2nd fret. With those thee fingers in position, strum from the 5th string through the 1st, letting the unfretted strings ring open.

This might take a bit of practice. You want to press down firmly with the tips of your fingers so that the notes ring out true. Practice hitting each note one by one so you can hear it clearly and make sure you're not getting any muted or buzzy notes. 

Getting clean transitions between G and C may take some practice at first. Go slowly, focusing on finger placement and letting each note sound clearly. The C chord may seem like a stretch for your fingers when you first start out, but it will soon get much easier!

Chord #3 - D7

The last essential chord for banjo beginners is a D7 chord. The D7 is another movable chord shape that fits nicely within the common G major chord progression.

To play D7, you'll need to press down on two strings again. Use your second finger to fret the 3rd string at the 2nd fret. Then take your middle finger and fret the 2nd string on the third fret. With those two fingers in place, strum from string 5 to 1, letting the other strings ring open.

It takes some practice to switch smoothly between G, C, and D7, but these chord changes are an important banjo skill. Starting with D7 before switching back to G major creates a nice, satisfying I-IV-V chord progression. Once you have these down, you'll be ready to accompany many famous banjo tunes!

Essential Strumming Patterns

Now that you know how to finger these three basic banjo chords, let's go over some strumming patterns to practice. Along with fretting chords cleanly, strumming in rhythmic patterns gives life to your playing.

Here are two simple strumming patterns to start with as a beginner:

Down-Up-Down-Up: Simply alternate between downward and upward strums, letting the strings ring out. Focus on playing each chord shape for one or two measures as you strum down-up-down-up.

Down-Down-Up: Strum down twice, followed by one upstrum. Allow the chords to ring for a full two counts when strumming down-down-up. This pattern adds some nice rhythmic variety.

Once these core patterns feel comfortable, try switching between the three chords - G, C, and D7 - while maintaining the strumming groove. Strumming takes some coordination at first, but becomes second nature with regular practice.

Take it slowly and be patient with yourself as you begin mastering these essential banjo chords and strumming basics. Daily practice is key!

Get a Free Banjo Chord Chart!

If you'd like a handy reference guide to help master these first three banjo chords, I have a free PDF chord chart you can download.

This printable one-page banjo chord chart includes:

• Diagrams for the G, C, and D7 chords
• Tips for proper hand positioning
• List of 10 songs that use only these chords, so you can practice

Get the free chord chart instantly by clicking here.

This is a great tool to print out and keep handy as you practice these fundamental banjo chord shapes. Refer back to the diagrams and song examples anytime you need a quick refresher.

Start Strumming Today!

Learning your first few banjo chords opens up a world of possibilities on the instrument. With just these three chords under your belt - G major, C major, and D7 - you can begin strumming along to tons of fun folk and bluegrass tunes.

My advice is to start slow but practice consistently. Spend at least 15-20 minutes daily working on your chord changes and strumming patterns. As the shapes become second nature, gradually increase your tempo. In no time you'll be ready to jam with friends!

Most importantly, stay relaxed and have fun with it. Playing the banjo should feel rewarding, not stressful. Stick with these fundamentals and continue expanding your chord vocabulary down the road. The journey has only just begun!

Let me know if you have any other questions for strumming up your first banjo chords. I'm always happy to help new players get started on the right foot. Now get to work!