banjo tuner

Reading the tuner

The large letter is the note the tuner hears, and the peg for the string it matched lights up. The needle shows how far off you are in cents: 100 cents is one semitone. Left of centre is flat, so tighten the string. Right of centre is sharp, so loosen it. Once you hold within 3 cents for a moment, the tuner says In tune.

Tuning the short fifth string

The fifth string, or drone, is tuned an octave above the third string. Because the two notes match, the tuner can mistake one for the other while both ring. Let the third string stop ringing, pluck the drone on its own, and check that the 5th peg lights up before you turn it.

Supported tunings

Both the microphone and the reference tones use the tuning you pick. Strings are listed from the 5th (the drone) to the 1st.

• Open G G (5th), D (4th), G (3rd), B (2nd), D (1st)
• Double C G (5th), C (4th), G (3rd), C (2nd), D (1st)
• Sawmill G (5th), D (4th), G (3rd), C (2nd), D (1st)
• Open D F# (5th), D (4th), F# (3rd), A (2nd), D (1st)

Your microphone stays private

The tuner asks for your microphone only when you tap the microphone button. Sound is analysed in your browser and thrown away straight after: nothing is recorded, saved or sent. The microphone turns off when you tap it again, switch tabs or leave the page. The pegs play reference tones with or without a microphone.