Irish Banjo Music
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.
