Tune the short string before reading the long-string sequence
The fifth string begins partway up the neck, so its G4 belongs above the first string’s D4 even though it is physically beside the lowest string. The on-screen order follows string number rather than pitch height, preventing the short drone from being mistaken for G3.
Open-G targets with octave labels
Use fifth G4, fourth D3, third G3, second B3, and first D4. Lock one target when sympathetic ringing makes Auto follow a neighboring string; release the lock only after each string is close.
A two-pass check catches bridge and tension interaction
Tune D3 through D4 once, then recheck the G4 drone last. If several strings moved in the same direction, check that the bridge has not shifted while large tension changes were made.
Questions
These answers address the fifth string, octave confusion, and ringing strings.
Why are there two G notes?
The third string is G3 and the short fifth string is G4. The octave label separates them.
Why does the display jump after the pluck?
A banjo produces strong overtones and sympathetic ringing. Mute unused strings and read the sustained part after the attack.
Does the tuner record the banjo?
No. Short waveform buffers are measured in memory and discarded.
Sources used for the tuning description
The open-G note order follows standard five-string banjo references; pitch naming and cents follow the shared chromatic engine used across this site.
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