Irish 'Diddly' Music and stringed instruments

Subject: Irish 'Diddly' Music and stringed instruments
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 16 Jun 99 - 02:41 PM

I want to get some feedback re: various string instruments and playing Irish "diddly" music...

I am not looking to play guitar (simply because I want to play something different). I was thinking of instruments preferably tuned like the Irish tenor banjo: G-D-A-E (Now if the tuning is the same between instruments, is the fingering also?)

Instruments that come to mind:

Octave mandolin
Mandolin (though I know the tuning is different)
Mandola
Banjo Mandolin (don't know how these are tuned)
Other suggestions?

Here's another thought...if the 5th string is removed from a G-banjo, can that be strung and tuned like an Irish tenor banjo and learn the fingerings that way until I might get a tenor or other G-D-A-E tuned instrument??

I've been a woodwind player most of my life, and now I want to expand my horizons...thus, I know not much about the above instruments. So any feedback (and joking) will be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Mary

Subject: RE: Irish 'Diddly' Music and stringed instruments
From: Herge
Date: 16 Jun 99 - 02:52 PM

Hi Mary

I play Irish music on a variety of stringed instruments. Yes you could tune your 5 string instrument to DGAE if you change the strings, and you may need a capo to get it right depending on the length of the neck on your banjo. A mandolin tuned GDAE would help you get the fingering for Irish tunes although you might find the extra stretch on a banjo difficult. You could then go on to the fiddle! I play an Irish Bouzouki tuned GDAD which sounds well you could also tune a mandola that way or like a banjo or banjo mandolin GDAE. The fingering on all GDAE tuned instruments is the same. Get tuned up and have a go - and good luck

Herge

Subject: RE: Irish 'Diddly' Music and stringed instruments
From: Mick Lowe
Date: 16 Jun 99 - 08:16 PM

Mary
"Diddly" indeed.. now where did you pick that term up from?
I've told you before about getting a mandolin

Subject: RE: Irish 'Diddly' Music and stringed instruments
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 16 Jun 99 - 09:25 PM

I know you've told me about getting a mandolin, Mick, but I want to explore all options...tuning is one idea to narrow a search, then I have to hear various instruments and decide. (My Great Uncle Sal plays/ed mandolin...and since he is Italian, I tend to think of it as an Italian instrument....strange I know, and "narrow minded"...

As for where I got the term "Diddly" music, well, I'm learning lots of new words from a very special friend of mine...even bigger grin!

Herge, thanks for your information!

Mary