How to Read Three-Finger Style Banjo Tablature
By the Banjo Newsletter
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What is tablature?
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition defines tablature
as: A system of notation using letters, symbols, or other visual cues instead of standard
notation to indicate how a musical piece is to be played.
Banjo Newsletter publishes tablature for the 5-string banjo.
Before describing the banjo tablature, it is important to note how the strings on your actual
banjo are numbered. The standard 5-string banjo is manufactured for a right-handed player,
meaning the thumb and fingers of the right hand are used for striking the strings while the
fingers of the left hand press the strings down onto the fingerboard just behind (to the left of)
the frets.
When you are standing or seated and holding a standard 5-string banjo so that your right
hand is your picking hand and your left hand is your fretting hand, the strings are located as
follows:
The 1st string is closest to your feet and the 5th string is closest to your chin.
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