Trouble Keeping Your Banjo In Tune?

Are you having trouble keeping your banjo in tune?  There may be a few minor things that could be the problem. Banjo construction can be a cause for tuning issues. Banjos are different than other stringed instruments in that they don’t have a neck joint like a guitar would, where it is glued or held together somewhat permanently.  The neck of a banjo is not glued to the pot so the neck has a miniscule amount of movement where it meets the pot and can adjust with slight movements.  This small amount of shift in the neck and pot joint can create tuning problems.  Also, your strings are resting on a floating bridge making banjos more susceptible to tuning issues.  The way you hold the neck of your banjo can make tuning issues worse.  If you are too rough on the neck of your instrument or hold it too tightly it can cause your banjo to go out of tune.  Most professional banjo players keep a clip on tuner on their headstock to combat tuning issues while playing. You will see them tune often during performances to make sure they haven’t knocked their instrument out of tune while performing.   One other helpful tip is to tune your banjo after you are seated or in the position you will be playing in, this will help decrease the chance of movements causing your instrument to go out of tune.   So in conclusion take extra care to be gentle on your neck and tune often.  Having an instrument that is out of tune will make your playing less enjoyable for you and those around you.