C Chord On Banjo

Whether you’re a beginner or an expert we’ve got you covered with the most complete list of common finger positions and inversions of the C chord on a banjo.

All of the following chord positions are based on a 4 or 5 string banjo tuned to standard open G tuning. If you are playing a 4 string banjo the finger position is the same for each chord. Just ignore the top (fifth) string.

The Most Common C Major Banjo Chord Position

The most common way to play the C Major chord on a banjo is:

The fifth string is played open.
Place your middle finger on the forth string behind the second fret.
The third string is played open.
Place your index finger on the second string behind the first fret.
Place your ring finger on the first string behind the second fret.

Although this is the most common this is not the only way to play this chord. Once you have mastered this position, check out the C Major banjo chord Inversions below for alternate finger positions to enhance your banjo playing skills.

Notes

The C Major banjo chord includes the notes C, E and G.

The C note (root) is played on the second string, first fret.
The E note (major) is played on the third and first string, second fret.
The G note (major) is played on the fifth and third string, open.

C Major Banjo Chord Inversions

As you may know the same notes are available at many different positions on the banjo fretboard. An inversion is simply just another way of positioning your fingers on the banjo neck to play a familiar chord.

Below is a list of alternate finger positioning for this chord. Have some fun with them, maybe you’ll figure out a new way to play an old song.

C Major Banjo Chord Inversion 1

The fifth string is played open.
Place your index finger across the forth, third, second and first strings behind the fifth fret.

The C note (root) is played on the third string, fifth fret.
The E note (major) is played on the second string, fifth fret.
The G note (major) is played on the fifth string open as well as the forth and first string at the fifth fret.

C Major Banjo Chord Inversion 2

The fifth string is played open.
Place your ring finger on the forth string behind the tenth fret.
Place your middle finger on the third string behind the ninth fret.
Place your index finger on the second string behind the eighth fret.
Place your ring finger on the first string behind the tenth fret.

The C note (root) is played on the forth and first string, tenth fret.
The E note (major) is played on the third string, ninth fret.
The G note (major) is played on the fifth string open and the second string eight fret.

C Major Banjo Chord Inversion 3

The fifth string is played open.
Place your ring finger on the forth string behind the fourteenth fret.
Place your index finger on the third string behind the twelfth fret.
Place your middle finger on the second string behind the thirteenth fret.
Place your pinky finger on the first string behind the fourteenth fret.

The C note (root) is played on the forth and first string, tenth fret.
The E note (major) is played on the second string, thirteenth fret.
The G note (major) is played on the fifth string open and the third string eleventh fret.

C Major Banjo Chord Inversion 3

The fifth string is played open.
Place your index across the forth, third, second and first-string behind the seventeenth fret.

The C note (root) is played on the third string, seventeenth fret.
The E note (major) is played on the second string, seventeenth fret.
The G note (major) is played on the fifth string open as well as the forth and first string at the seventeenth fret.