Notes on the Banjo

• The first step to learning music theory is to learn the open string notes on the banjo. This will vary according to tunings, but the following principles apply to all tunings. One common banjo tuning, starting from the 5th (shortest) string is 5G, 4D, 3G, 2B, 1D.
  
  All music notes are arranged in an order called the "chromatic scale" and are spaced one half-step apart. Notes are in alphabetical order, starting with "A" and moving up to "G." Sharps (#) and flats (b) are placed between each note, with the exception of B/C, and E/F, resulting in 12 notes. The banjo and most other fretted instruments are chromatic instruments, meaning that each fret equals one half-step. As you play any individual note, moving up one fret produces the next note in the chromatic scale.
  
  The chromatic scale is A, A#/Bb, B, C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E, F, F#/Bb, B, C. Coupled sharps and flats are the same note in pitch, but are named differently to maintain alphabetical sense when used in scales.
  
  

Scales

• Scales are groupings of eight notes taken from the chromatic scale. In American and European music, the standard scale is called the "major scale." Using a step formula applied to the chromatic scale, every major scale can be produced. On the banjo, one fret is a half-step, and two frets are a whole-step.
  
  The major scale formula is as follows: whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half (WWHWWWH). For example, if we start at "C" on the chromatic scale and move up a whole-step (two frets), a "D" note is produced. One whole-step from "D" will produce "E", and so on until the step formula is completed. The resulting "C major" scale is C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C.
  
  

Chords

• Chords also follow formulas and are derived from major scales. Each note in the major scale is numbered from one to eight (Example: C major scale- 1C, 2D, 3E, 4F, 5G, 6A, 7B, 8C). While there are many chord formulas, we'll use four popular chords, using the C major scale as an example:
  
  •C major chord (C): 1, 3, 5 (C, E, G)
  •C minor chord (Cm): 1, b3, 5 (C, Eb, G)
  •C major seven chord (CM7): 1, 3, 5, 7 (C, E, G, B)
  •C dominant seven chord (C7): 1, 3, 5, b7 (C, E, G, Bb)
  
  

Time Signatures

• Time signatures indicate the number of beats per measure, and the type of note of which one beat is counted. In simple terms, when counting "1, 2, 3, 4," the result is one measure of four, called 4/4 or "common time." When counting "1, 2, 3," the result is one measure of three-quarter time, noted as 3/4. The first number denotes the number of beats per measure, while the second number indicates what type of note receives one beat, explained in the next section.
  
  

Note and Rest Values

• Musical notes and rests have time values measured in beats. While you may not desire to learn to read and write music, understanding note and rest values can be helpful in explaining and understanding music. The following note and rest value examples are based on 4/4 time. The second "4" in "4/4" time indicates that a quarter-note or quarter-rest receives one beat:
  
  •Whole note/rest = four beats. Play note and hold for four beats, or rest (don't play) for four beats.
  •Half-note/rest = two beats. Play note and hold for two beats, or rest for two beats.
  •Quarter-note/rest = one beat. Play one note for each beat, or rest for one beat.
  •Eighth-note/rest = half a beat. Play two notes for each beat, or rest for a half beat.
  •Sixteenth-note/rest = one-quarter of a beat. Play four notes for each beat, or rest for one-quarter of a beat (very common in banjo music).
  
  

Advanced Theory

• The examples given are some of the basic concepts of music theory, and advanced theory merely expands on the same fundamentals. Formulas, scales, chords, note values, names of intervals between two notes, and other music theory concepts, can help players "get out of a rut", by gaining an understanding of music. Music theory also helps in explaining and understanding music when working with other musicians, lessening frustration, improving communication and realizing an overall boost in musicianship and enjoyment.