Category: Arts

Irish Banjo Music

irish banjo

 

Irish banjo music bridges the gap between Old World and modern influences with elements from bluegrass, country, soft rock and folk genres – creating an irresistibly joyful sound which can simultaneously be plaintive and celebratory.

The banjo is a five string instrument with roots dating back to the US South in the early 19th century. Initially used by traveling minstrel bands as accompaniment instruments.

Origins

Banjos differ from most stringed instruments by employing a vibrating membrane instead of strings to facilitate swift responses to changes in volume or tone.

Although banjo can be played in various styles, one that is most often associated with traditional Irish folk music is clawhammer – this style focuses on rhythm and melody simultaneously while holding the banjo like a hammer.

Many banjo players also opt to employ more strumming-oriented playing styles on the instrument by plucking its strings with their fingertips instead of using a pick; this technique is prevalent within bluegrass music as well.

Although its exact origins remain disputed, most believe that banjo music was introduced to Ireland through travelling minstrel bands in the early twentieth century. These minstrel bands would travel between America and Ireland performing American and Irish music; these performances would often include tenor banjo players among their line up.

Styles

Banjos, one of the most iconic instruments of Irish music, come in various forms and are commonly employed across a range of musical genres including Irish traditional music and bluegrass.

There are various varieties of banjo, from the five-string model to tenor banjos with 17 or 19 frets along their necks and GDAE tuning.

This style of banjo is typically played more for melodies rather than chords or accompaniment. A pick may be used, though plectrum can also be utilized.

The tenor banjo is a melodic instrument similar to fiddle, flute, accordion or concertina in terms of sound production, but it should not be used as long-term chording instrument in Irish music.

The tenor banjo first made its debut in America during the mid 19th century, quickly spreading throughout Ireland. Minstrel bands that traveled both Ireland and England were pioneers in using this style of instrument.

Five string banjo

The five string banjo is an exquisite instrument with an exceptionally long neck. It consists of four main strings tuned from C to G to B to D with one shorter drone string fastened on by screws in its middle section of neck.

The fifth string is unfretted and adds an atmospheric note to the sound of an instrument. Most commonly tuned to open G chords, although various other tunings may be utilized for different voicings and harmonic possibilities.

Folk music audiences typically associate five-string banjos with bluegrass and other forms of American folk music, though they are also very popular instruments in Irish traditional music, often played using plectrums similar to guitars.

The 5-string banjo was first popularized in America by minstrel performers fusing African rhythms with European forms of music. Today it continues to be widely used across America by musicians across all genres and styles: from American traditional music, Celtic and crossover styles and even jazz!

Tenor banjo

The Tenor Banjo is a short neck, 4-string banjo with either 17 frets or 19 frets in scale length and tuned to GDAE (one octave below the Irish fiddle and mandolin). They were popular during early 20th century dance hall performances in Ireland and New York where players would strum chords similar to guitar players.

Its short scale length and use of open strings make the Irish mandolin easy to play fast reels and triplet passages typical in traditional Irish music, as well as staying in first position between the 2nd and 5th frets – something not possible on five string banjos or Irish mandolins.

Gerry O’Connor is widely considered the greatest Irish tenor banjo player alive today. He frequently tunes his banjo in accordance with jazz and Dixieland tenor players CGDA tuning, which allows him to perform most of the traditional dance tunes preferred by fiddlers and fluteists.

Irish Banjo Events

irish banjo

Irish banjo events provide a fantastic way to experience traditional Irish music, featuring banjos, fiddles, bodhrans and guitars in various configurations.

We Banjo 3 are four award-winning musicians from Ireland who play multiple instruments – banjos, fiddles, mandolins, bodhrans and guitars among them – seamlessly fusing Celtic, Americana and Bluegrass traditions into pop-sensible songcraft.

We Banjo 3

Enda and Fergal Scahill of We Banjo 3 perform banjos, fiddle, mandolin guitar and fiddle as part of one set. Martin and David Howley provide banjos fiddle mandolin dobro percussion accompaniment. Together these brothers combine virtuosity with precision to deliver an unparalleled live concert experience for audiences across Ireland.

As evidenced by their incredible performances at festivals like Merlefest, BottleRock Summercamp ROMP Wintergrass and others, lovers of all genres are taking notice. Their blend of modern rhythms with traditional melodies and virtuosic banjo and mandolin music will leave your feet tapping with happiness – guaranteed.

We Banjo 3 have one foot in Irish music and one in Americana music, seamlessly fusing both genres with their captivating live performance that offers something truly original and fulfilling. Their masterful instrument control supports lead singer David Howley’s captivating vocals to produce something truly impressive and exciting.

Irish Tenor Banjo

Irish Tenor Banjo is a four-stringed tenor banjo tuned an octave lower than fiddle to facilitate playing the rapid melodies and triplets common to many Irish instrumental tunes more easily.

Misunderstandings about Irish banjo are frequent. While most Irish tenor banjo players favor short-neck (17 fret) models with 22 to 23 inch scale length, short neck (17 fret) banjos may not necessarily qualify.

The tenor banjo was first created in America as a melodic picked instrument for use with strumming chordal accompaniment and as a rhythm-instrument in popular 1920s jazz dance bands. Its volume and tone perfectly suited early music styles; furthermore its adaptability made it suitable for Irish dance bands as well.

Irish Bouzouki

Irish bouzoukis have long been part of traditional Irish music, but were introduced by Johnny Moynihan and Sweeney’s Men during the mid 1960s as an exotic instrument similar to Greek bouzouki but often described as large mandolin-type instruments.

Irish bouzouki differs from its Greek counterpart in that it features a flatter back and straighter sides, as well as having lower tuning than its Greek counterpart.

This makes the instrument easier to play on, as well as providing players with more freedom when it comes to capos high up the neck to accommodate for specific keys. Furthermore, it has brighter sound qualities and more comfortable to hold than its Greek counterpart.

Andy Irvine first played his bouzouki during Sweeney’s Men’s debut album release in 1968 and it has become his primary instrument ever since. Other Irish musicians have taken up playing it as well and it has become part of their repertoire.

Irish Dulcimer

Irish dulcimers are some of the oldest instruments ever created, dating back centuries. A diatonic instrument, they feature two melody strings and one drone string tuned closely together for maximum sound output.

This instrument features a teardrop-shaped soundbox and is similar to the mountain or lap dulcimer, likely developed in Appalachian Mountains by Scotch-Irish settlers.

As an instructor, I taught students the fundamental skills of playing scheitholtz before transitioning them to mountain or hammered dulcimers for practice. With time and dedication they were soon playing traditional tunes on both instruments.

This instrument differs significantly from its counterparts in that the finger strength and dexterity needed for playing it requires more repetition and exercise than its tenor banjo counterpart. Building your repertoire may take time and commitment, but the effort will certainly pay off!