Look at the five strings at the bottom, and find the center string. This is the first one to tune. Follow the middle string to the top of the banjo, and find its corresponding tuning knob.  Tighten or loosen the knob and pluck the string as you do so, until it is tuned perfectly to G3. This pitch is called G3. Each octave on a keyboard is assigned a number, and middle C is referred to as C4. So, the G below C4 is G3. This string will technically be the 4th from the top. Trace the string up to the banjo’s tuning pegs to find which peg adjusts the string. Pluck the string and keep a close eye on the electronic tuner. Tighten the string to raise the pitch and loosen the string to lower the pitch. Continue adjusting until the pitch is in tune. Continue tuning the strings as you move down the banjo’s neck. The final string in that direction is very thin. Tune it to D4. As with the other strings, strum the string and watch the intonation indicator. Tighten or loosen the tuning knob until the string plays a D4. This pitch will be higher than the other strings you’ve already tuned. Unlike a guitar, the strings on a banjo do not progress from lower to higher as you move down the neck. You’ll notice that the string at the top of the banjo neck does not run all the way up to the top of the fretboard with the rest. Instead, it stops short and its tuning knob is located in the middle of the neck. Tune this by plucking at the string and watching the intonation indicator. The string is in tune when it produces a steady G4.  This strange “5th string” placement is unique to the banjo and gives the instrument a unique “roll” and “bounce” to its sound. Keep this string placement in mind throughout the tuning process. Otherwise you may get confused and turn the wrong knob to tighten this string. Because of the 5th string placement, the second string your hand plucks (the D string) will in fact be the first string on the tuning board. Follow the strings from bottom to top, and you’ll understand. This is the only string you haven’t tuned so far, and it’s also the thickest of the 5. This gets tuned to a low D: D3, specifically. As with the other 4 strings, pluck at the string every 1-2 seconds, tweaking the tuning knob to raise or lower the pitch as needed. If you have a good ear, you’ll notice that this string is a full octave above the bottom string on the banjo neck, which you’ve tuned to D4. Once you get an ear for how a tuned banjo should sound, you can start tuning each string in relation to the other. You’ll be able to tell from the intervals between notes if the banjo is in tune. It’s best to start from the G string, and then to tune B, D, and high G, each off of the string before. Use a tuner or a piano to make sure that the G string’s in tune first, if you want to play with anyone else!

Summary: Tune the middle string of the banjo to G below middle C. Tune the adjacent, slightly thinner string to a B below middle C. Adjust the knob for the bottom string to a D above middle C. Tune the top string to G4 with the knob in the middle of the neck. Adjust the string second from the top to a D below middle C. Learn to tune the banjo by ear once you’re proficient.


Add another half teaspoon of the ginger-garlic paste, cumin powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder, kasuri methi or dry fenugreek leaves, kashmiri red chili powder and leftover spice mix. Also add the fried onion, salt and sugar to taste, and water. The spice paste is ready to use. Do not brown. Mix. Cook for 3-4 minutes on medium-high heat until the oil floats up. Slowly cook for another 3-4 minutes.

Summary: In a large mixing bowl, mix the spices. Mix gently. In another pan, add butter to heat gently. Add the prepared spice paste to the heated butter. Add the khoya and mix.


For this bracelet, you will need thin leather strips or chords, leather or fabric glue, a needle, and embroidery floss in multiple colors. You will also need scissors to cut both the leather and the thread. Clasps are optional. Wrap a single piece of leather around your wrist, and add 2-3 extra inches to the length. The extra leather will be used to tie the ends together when the bracelet is completed. Cut the leather to size. Tape down one end of the strip to a table top, about two inches from the end. Dab a bit of glue to the leather, and then wrap a piece of embroidery floss around it. Wrap the embroidery floss tightly around the strip for as long as you would like, before switching to your next color. When you finish, add another dab of glue and cut off the excess embroidery floss. Follow the same process as above by dabbing on a bit of glue to the leather, and then wrapping a new color of embroidery floss around the strip. Continue wrapping the floss as far as you would like, and then dab on some more glue and cut off the excess. Add as much floss as you would like to your bracelet to give it a bit of color. You may choose to wrap the entire leather strip, or only a bit of it; the choice is up to you! When you've added as much thread to your bracelet as you would like, thread the end of the floss through a needle, and cut off all of the string except for about 1 inch. Thread the needle under the embroidery floss that you've already wrapped around the leather. Pull the needle out the other side, leaving the tail end of the thread hidden under the wrappings. If you want to add clasps to your bracelet, attach them to the ends of the leather strands at this point. Otherwise, simply tie the ends together around your wrist, and you're finished!
Summary: Select your supplies. Measure and cut the leather. Secure the leather. Begin wrapping your thread. Add additional colors. Continue the pattern. Finish off the embroidery floss section. Finish off the bracelet.