seeking irish banjo sound bytes

Subject: seeking irish banjo sound bytes
From: Margo
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 04:39 PM

I am interested in the banjo in Irish music. I understand the plectrum banjo is what is used and I'd like to hear some samples. I searched at Amazon for a CD with sound samples but in vain. Could anyone recommend a group or CD name with the banjo in Irish music? It would help my search if I had a specific album.... Thanks, Margo

Subject: RE: seeking irish banjo sound bytes
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 05:01 PM

Margo, the plectrum banjo is basically a 5 string bajno minus the 5th string and is rarely used in Irish music. The most popular banjo for this type of music is the tenor banjo which again has 4 strings, is played with a plectrum but has a smaller scale length and fewer frets, typically, 19 or 17.

There was a thread recently that you might like to check out as it lists several great Irish style players amongst other things. It is at http://www.mudcat.org/thread.CFM?threadID=22063.

Jon

Subject: RE: seeking irish banjo sound bytes
From: Kaleb
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 05:38 PM

Try this site. Lots of good sound clips.

www.irishbanjo.com

Kaleb

Subject: RE: seeking irish banjo sound bytes
From: Margo
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 07:36 PM

Thanks! I did get some good examples of the sound. Jon, it sounds like a plectrum is just a pick. Is it flat, or perhaps similar to the metal picks used by bluegrass banjo players? I haven't a clue - Margo

Subject: RE: seeking irish banjo sound bytes
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 07:56 PM

Margo, a plectrum and a flat pick are the same item. People in the US seem more likely to call it a flat pick where as I in the UK would call it a plectrum or more usually a "plec" - that maybe regional though.

Another device used to play the tenor banjo is a thing called a thimble which is basically a small tube that fits on a finger and is cut at an angle to allow the picking. Tony Sullivan (Sully) mentioned in the other thread used to and probably still does use this device although on the couple of occasions that I have met him, he used the pick.

Jon

Subject: RE: seeking irish banjo sound bytes
From: GUEST,Nancy
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 11:50 PM

Ah! This is a favorite subject of mine. I have searched Sacramento to Oregon and cannot find an "Irish-Tenor" banjo to save my life! I would like to play one before I buy one:)

I have yet to try San Franciso, but you can be sure I will if I get down there this fall. A question Jon, is an "Irish" tenor actually a different banjo from a "tenor" banjo, or is it just a tenor banjo with four strings tuned to EADG? I was always too embarrassed to ask before, but what the heck, let's throw caution to the wind!

No one in the music stores here seemed to have even heard of one, five-strings rule in Californy I guess! Thanks, Nancy

Subject: RE: seeking irish banjo sound bytes
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 26 Jul 00 - 12:19 AM

A tenor is a tenor and the usual tuning for "Irish" is EADG (or GDAE as I call it). Working my way, the instrument are normally tuned CGDA for Jazz and for some reason most string makers do not seem to have caught on to this and only make the CGDA sets.

If you are looking in a store for an "Irish" tenor, I think that you really need to try them strung with strings suitable for the GDAE tuning (heavier than the others) to get the full impresion as to whether you really like the instrument or not but depending on where you live, you may just be lucky to see a tenor.

Jon

Subject: RE: seeking irish banjo sound bytes
From: The Shambles
Date: 26 Jul 00 - 03:17 AM

There is also a a short-necked version that is used for mainly Irish music, called the Irish short-necked, tenor banjo.

"It does exactly what it says it does, on the tin".

Subject: RE: seeking irish banjo sound bytes
From: JedMarum
Date: 26 Jul 00 - 08:31 AM

Aren't many Irish bands playing five strings, these days?

Subject: RE: seeking irish banjo sound bytes
From: GUEST,Nancy
Date: 26 Jul 00 - 10:22 AM

Thanks Jon! Margo, here is a site I found in the US (I'm assuming you're on this side of the pond)that has more info on the tenor banjo and a good list of books and tapes that teach. I know I'll never find a player to teach where I live! Cheers, Nancy http://www.hobgoblin-usa.com/local/contfram.htm

Subject: RE: seeking irish banjo sound bytes
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 26 Jul 00 - 10:49 AM

The standard tenor is the 19 fret instrument. The short scale (or neck) is a 17 fret instrument and as Shambles has indicated, it is quite popular amongst Irish players. This is because nearly all the music is played in the open position and the smaller instrument reduces the amount of stretching that the left hand has to do.

Jed, I have no idea which bands are currently using 5 string but I guess it will always be around as an accompanying instrument for Irish bands. The trouble with the 5 string is it is so difficult to play the jigs and reels and I have only ever heard 2 people play a 5 string in a style that resembles the more common plectrum tenor style.

Thinking of the five string, I have a tape somewhere called "The Melodic Clawhammer Banjo" with Ken Pearlman and others. This style seems well suited to jigs and reels and produces a good rythym which is what the bluegrass players normally seem to lack - they may keep time and play with great skill but IMO, they usually fail at expressing the Irish tunes.

Jon

Subject: RE: seeking irish banjo sound bytes
From: Jed at Work
Date: 26 Jul 00 - 01:02 PM

well my 5 string playin' with Eammon'S Kitchen may well give us a more bluegrass flavor .... but it seems to fit our style and attitiude - so what the hell!

Subject: RE: seeking irish banjo sound bytes
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 26 Jul 00 - 01:09 PM

Jed, I agree with that sentiment!!!

Jon