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.
There are many options available, whether you need a banjo to join your band or to just play one yourself. Some have 17-frets and others are Plectrum style. They come in early and modern versions.
Early versions
Traditional Irish banjos were originally four-stringed tenor instruments with an almost guitar-like sound. Early instruments had an animal skin drumheadhead and a fretless neck.
There were many minstrel groups that played in Ireland during the first half of the 20th century. They mixed European music with African beats. They used African-style instruments made of animal skins, gut strings and other materials.
The “Flanagan brothers” were able to play Irish music on their tenor banjos in the beginning of the 20th century. The brothers also played tunes on buttons accordions. The brothers were part of the vaudeville circuit in the early twentieth century. They were accompanied by other members who played violin and bone. They played in Belfast and New York City.
The use of tenor banjos in Ireland began in the early twentieth century. It began as an accompaniment instrument, but evolved into melodic use. The tenor banjo is now a staple in Irish folk bands. Players began playing jigs and reels, and embellished their playing with triplets and other embellishments.
17-fret banjos
Whether you are just getting started with the banjo or you are looking for a new instrument, you might want to consider buying a 17-fret Irish banjo. They are much smaller than traditional long neck banjos but have the benefit of being lighter and more fun to use.
They are also great for traveling with because they are very light and portable. However, their shorter scale makes tuning harder. These are susceptible to intonation problems.
A 17-fret banjo’s scale is typically between 20 and 21 inches. This makes it the ideal choice for quick fiddle tunes. They are also a great choice for Dixieland music, but are more commonly used for Irish music.
Two main styles of Irish 17-fret banjos are available. There are two main types of 17-fret Irish banjos: the short and long scales. The short scale has a scale length of 50.5-54.5 cm, while the long scale has a scale length of 65-75 cm.
Plectrum banjos
Throughout the early 20th century, the plectrum banjo was a staple in dance halls and clubs. The strumming accompaniment of chords was what drove its popularity. It was also used in ragtime and jazz.
The plectrum is a four string banjo with loop ends. Its scale length is 58 cm. The pot’s resonator plate can be found on its back. This layout provides greater volume.
The plectrum is not the only type of banjo, however. You can also find fretless banjos. To get the traditional tone, some players use nylon strings or gut strings. They are still being made today.
The plectrum has been used in many early jazz arrangements. The tremolo, on the other hand, is a method of rapidly picking single or multiple strings. This produces a continuous trembling effect. This links chord strumming to create a continuous sound.
Although the plectrum banjo has more strings, the tenor banjo features fewer strings and is shorter in scale. Wide spacing chords are also part of the tenor banjo. A plectrum is difficult to play the tenor banjo. The neck is also shorter.
Modern banjos
Traditional Irish music was not much affected by tenor banjos until the 1960s. However, in the 1970s, they helped resurrect the traditional Irish music scene. Many Irish folk musicians still play the tenor banjo.
Three-stringed instruments, such as the banjo, are thought to be from West Africa. Eventually, African slaves modified traditional African instruments and introduced them to the United States. These instruments are often referred to as “akontings.” These instruments were introduced to Ireland by a small group of minstrels in the 19th century. These minstrel bands played a style of music that included “negro melodies,” tambourine and bones.
Minstrel shows became very popular in Ireland and the USA during the latter part of the nineteenth century. These shows claimed to play authentic slave music. You could also hear them playing banjos, bones, and tambourine. They used steel strings to make their instruments louder.
Banjos are a versatile instrument. Although it’s been used in various forms for hundreds of years, it has been repurposed for new and exciting experiments.
This is the first post.Now let’s move to the meat.And that meat today will be in the form a bit more history.We all like history, right!Right…?Is that right?
The Irish Tin whistles is a simple, woodwind instrument which uses a fipple for sound production.The jargon is removed so you can use it as a recorder instead of a flute. There are also no buttons and levers on the body.This is a very practical way to play. If you have less fingers covering holes, you will be able to make higher notes. You also need to lift your fingers off the bottom.That’s all.(Thankfully.I remember feeling like my grandparents when I first tried to pick up my old flute.“What does that button do?”“It’s making an awful noise. What’s wrong?”
These types of instruments are used more than any other instrument in recorded history.They are used in almost every civilization.They even found Neanderthal versions.Even if you don’t like the Irish culture aspect of the tin-tin whistle, there are likely other cultures that do. You can still play the whistle for those reasons.There may be an Irish equivalent. The Irish tin-whistle will cost less if someone is selling it.
The modern whistle that we use today came from the roots of Robert Clarke in Manchester, England. He began mass-producing his whistle back in the 1840s.This was the original model from which the modern styles of whistle were derived. In fact, this is where the whistle took its names: the tin whistle because they were often made of brass or zinc, and the penny whip because it was so inexpensive to make them in the 19th century.
Recently, I was at a baseball game and had a small disagreement with another spectator.As one would expect from a baseball game, our disagreement did not stem from a controversial managerial decision or a blown call by an umpire.
Between innings, the Kinks’ classic “Lola”, came through the loudspeaker. I commented to my daughter that I should learn how to play the banjo in that song.I was seated directly behind a man who, probably a musician, informed me that “Lola” did not use a banjo.
Because I have been listening to the song for more than forty years, I insist that it was.It did sound like a banjo but the instrument used was a guitar.
My daughter wrote a few words on her smartphone and the dispute was resolved in minutes.Internet research proved me wrong. There was no mention of a banjo in the credits on Lola.
However, the incident made me think about other classic rock songs featuring a banjo for sale.These are eight of my most-famous songs.
Take it Easy by the Eagles
Bernie Leadon would not leave the band soon after this song reached the top charts. However, his selection gives this timeless tune a country feel.
Last Child from Aerosmith
Steven Tyler’s smile is never dull, but he is really focusing on the hit about missing home from the Rocks album.
Old Man By Neil Young
James Taylor is playing the five strings that accompany the harmonica, acoustic guitar and on this Harvest classic.
What You Told Me By the Monkees
Headquarters was the first album in which the quartet used their own instruments. One of these instruments was the banjo played by Peter Tork.
Bluebird at Buffalo Springfield
This single was released from the group’s second album Buffalo Springfield .
Daily Record by Who
A band that once made a song about an accordion a hit like “Squeeze Box” did so by incorporating a banjo in the best track on the Face Dances CD.
