Types of Irish Banjo

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.