How to Play the Irish Tenor Banjo : Banjo Basics

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.ค. 2013
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    The tenor banjo is tuned in straight fifths. Find out how to play the Irish tenor banjo with help from an experienced music professional in this free video clip.
    Expert: Peter S. Kohman
    Contact: www.retrofret.com
    Bio: Peter Kohman became interested in old banjos and guitars at the age of 16.
    Filmmaker: B. Michael Sullivan
    Series Description: Owning a banjo requires you to both know how to play it and know how to take excellent care of it to preserve it for the future. Find out about banjo basics with help from an experienced music professional in this free video series.
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ความคิดเห็น • 90

  • @bungus3335
    @bungus3335 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Thank you for the straight forward lesson. Most TH-cam banjo lessons seem to 90% fluff, but yours is straight to the point and informative

  • @fentonjames
    @fentonjames 6 ปีที่แล้ว +52

    Ah, the famous Irish song, "Louie Louie."

    • @CaptainBeetheart
      @CaptainBeetheart 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      fentonjames from county Kerry I believe

    • @full_metal2452
      @full_metal2452 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      🤣

    • @RockStarOscarStern634
      @RockStarOscarStern634 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@CaptainBeetheart It's Classic Rock & the kingsmen wrote it. There's now a Parody called "Pharaoh Pharaoh oh baby let my people go"

    • @CaptainBeetheart
      @CaptainBeetheart 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@RockStarOscarStern634 oh I was being sarcastic, sorry if that was unclear

  • @Banjo362
    @Banjo362 6 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I'm a 5 string Player who plays tunes in 2 finger thumb or index lead, and I did some research and found this guy Paul Roberts playing 2 finger thumb lead style on the Irish Tenor Banjo it was so mellow and so beautiful. One of these I'm gonna have to get an open back tenor banjo to play 2 finger that I learned from Paul Roberts.

  • @sw-ohiolakers2670
    @sw-ohiolakers2670 8 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    When I bought my instrument, I wasn't looking to play Irish music per se, but I did want to make some chords and create my own "compositions". This was helpful, so thank you.

  • @soundsessions9671
    @soundsessions9671 9 ปีที่แล้ว +23

    Irish banjo is tuned GDAE just like the mandolin and violin thanks to the late great Barney McKenna

    • @RockStarOscarStern634
      @RockStarOscarStern634 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      The Mandolin Banjo is fantastic

    • @braxtonbourquin105
      @braxtonbourquin105 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Well I tried that now my damn string is broke.

    • @RockStarOscarStern634
      @RockStarOscarStern634 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@braxtonbourquin105 Not to worry, Aquila makes Soft Gauge Nylon Mandolin Strings which will not break as much becuse they're under really low tension.

  • @tombombadil8142
    @tombombadil8142 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I finally found out how the mandolin chords work. Thanks, not that easy to work out with most internet sheets showing the more complex variations and no mandolin tradition whatsoever in your country to learn from. Saved me much thinking and research. (I stick to guitar and base, mando is just a very cool toy,)

  • @machin8163
    @machin8163 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Thank you so very much for this video, I've gone through many guides and this has been the most helpful

  • @joeblakeukeman
    @joeblakeukeman 8 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    G'day from Australia! I used to play old-timey jazz on a 4-string tenor banjo, tuned C,G,B,D. Now, because I'm playing mainly guitar, I retuned my banjo to D.G.B.E, so I can use modified guitar chords on it, and all my guitar scales work too, of course. I also play ukulele, which I tune standard G,C,E,A. (=guitar 5th fret.) So far, so good. After watching your video, Peter, I am tempted to try tuning in 5ths. Fifths make for consistent interval patterns, I can see that. You make it look easy!

  • @crazyace02
    @crazyace02 10 ปีที่แล้ว +31

    A violin, Mandolin and Irish Tenor Banjo are all Tuned to GDAE

    • @ballofwax9yards
      @ballofwax9yards 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Its more like the viola which has strings cgda . The violin has gdae like the mandolin .

  • @twoowls5570
    @twoowls5570 7 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Really great information and so nicely presented. Thanks for sharing!! Regards Jimp

  • @danny100ization
    @danny100ization 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I’ve just started to learn the Irish tenor banjo but I like the American style as well , I will learn them chords.

  • @ThomasTomFlood
    @ThomasTomFlood 11 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Enjoyed your video, well done

  • @RockStarOscarStern634
    @RockStarOscarStern634 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    1:55 Classic Rock Song Louie Louie written by the Kingsmen.

  • @alandavies1056
    @alandavies1056 10 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    That was just what I wanted to know, thanks.

  • @takethestagelv202
    @takethestagelv202 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Great lesson!

  • @middleweekhorsedrawnservic9441
    @middleweekhorsedrawnservic9441 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Brilliant...thanks!

  • @lisawilliams7836
    @lisawilliams7836 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Lovely video 😊

  • @joeblakeukeman
    @joeblakeukeman 8 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Peter, I tried it, tuning G,D,A,E. How was it? ... I learned the I, IV, V7 chords very quickly, but ... what about the scales? I realized why the viola players wanted to carry their previous tuning over to banjo - the same reason I wanted to carry guitar tuning over!

  • @realairguns-1787
    @realairguns-1787 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Hello, curious if you can make a video on some basic beginning chords, G , D , E, A , etc.. I'm more of a visual learner not chord chart, if you have time.. Thanks :)

  • @janaldencornish
    @janaldencornish 8 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Very good video and explanation except he is explaining the traditional jazz tenor banjo, tuned CGDA not the Irish tenor banjo which is tuned gDAE

    • @sw-ohiolakers2670
      @sw-ohiolakers2670 8 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      +Jan Cornish
      Both are tuned in perfect fifths, so it shouldn't matter, right? Same principle either way, I think.

    • @janaldencornish
      @janaldencornish 8 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      +Donna Ping I
      I meant to say in Irish fiddle music the tenor banjo is typically not strummed. It plays the melody lead, not chords.

    • @aarongensler9340
      @aarongensler9340 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Hi Jan. Tenor banjo is tuned in 5ths so it doesn't matter.
      The only reason it's tuned in GDAE is because you can play fiddle tunes easier.
      There's actually quite a few Irish tenor players that are in CGDA, myself included

    • @crazyace02
      @crazyace02 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      The great Gerry O'Conner tunes to CGDA, I tune to GDAE, Both work for Irish music. But this teacher was playing a Jazz style and not Irish style. Jazz musicians usually tune to DGBE and use a plectrum banjo which has a longer neck.

  • @patrickduffy4561
    @patrickduffy4561 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This guy is very good. The tenor banjo ain't just exclusive to irish music !!

  • @dirtfarmer7
    @dirtfarmer7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thanks! Can you modify your post to include how your banjo is tuned in the demo? GDAE ??

  • @BluzFan
    @BluzFan 10 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    does anyone know what the name of the store in NY he is in?

  • @stevep6160
    @stevep6160 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Nice. What model is that one please?

  • @balladier11
    @balladier11 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    By any chance do you sell mandolins and what price can I pay for an Eastman 515 or 315

  • @renodepessemier841
    @renodepessemier841 10 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    do you play with fingers or pick??

  • @monnapass
    @monnapass 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    is it possible to tune a 5 string banjo into GDAE?

  • @karlsebastiansollenhag8802
    @karlsebastiansollenhag8802 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Wait, how is this banjo in the clip tuned? It’s not irish tuning?

  • @MisSpooks1
    @MisSpooks1 8 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I'm just starting to play the tenor banjo. I would like to play it sounding like this guy's banjo, but I can't seem to get the tuning right. Just what is he tuning it to?

    • @feidhelmofoghladha5525
      @feidhelmofoghladha5525 8 ปีที่แล้ว

      +Spooks G, D, A, E
      Referred to as "Irish Tenor Tuning". This tuning is also in fifths but is lower in pitch than the standard tenor tuning. This tuning is like a violin or mandolin, only one octave lower.

  • @RockStarOscarStern634
    @RockStarOscarStern634 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This applies to Tenor Guitar too.

  • @sirquarter5729
    @sirquarter5729 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hey guys, maybe you can help me: I just pulled out my old banjo and i wanted to try the GDAE Tuning. But I have the feeling, that my banjo would explode if i tune my first string on G. What is the worst thing that could happen? If its only the string which could die, i would give it a shot, but i am afraid of my whole banjo. Are there banjos which can only be tuned CGDA ? Thanks for the help and greetings from Germany.

    • @callumcox705
      @callumcox705 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Literally did this yesterday and I strongly would not recommend…. Found out the hard way you need a different set of strings

  • @mirjamniggli
    @mirjamniggli 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hi Peter,
    thx for the videos. Maybe I'm a little bit silly. I'm Violinist and want to begin playing Benjo. Which should I buy? Sorry... didn't get it. :-0

    • @aarongensler9340
      @aarongensler9340 7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Heya
      If you're wanting to start playing Irish banjo get yourself a hold of a cheap 4 string and then have it tuned to CGDA or GDAE
      I find that C tuning gives the banjo a snappier tone while G is more of the typical Irish sound.
      Brand doesn't really make a difference. I have a Dixon tenor and a Gibson and to be perfectly honest prefer the Dixon more, (i bought it for like $200) don't let brand name fool you
      If you can play violin you're totally fine in reading the sheet. You've basically learned 3 instruments by learning violin.
      Hope this helps!

  • @riverjennings7454
    @riverjennings7454 8 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Could this work on a bluegrass/resonater banjo?

    • @merlynschutterle7242
      @merlynschutterle7242 8 ปีที่แล้ว

      +river jennings You could capo it up, but if you have a 5-string banjo, it is best if you use the plectrum style. All you have to do is mute the short 5th string and tune the low D to C.

  • @ballofwax9yards
    @ballofwax9yards 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I play the fiddle a little and I notice the banjo seems easier to adapt to then the guitar . The guitar has weird scale patterns it seems compared to the fiddle.

  • @christopherstorz6184
    @christopherstorz6184 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    A better title would be "Tenor Banjo in 'Irish" Tuning" as the "Ol' Timey Tuning" is the same as mandola, fifth below mandolin. Granted absolutely nothing would have changed fingering wise since the relative relationship between the two is the same.

  • @isaacconley4005
    @isaacconley4005 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    For all the people who don't seem to understand in the comments the tenor banjo is often played in jazz

  • @davnaj69
    @davnaj69 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    👍

  • @michaelkeyes12
    @michaelkeyes12 10 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    What does this have to do with the Irish tenor banjo? Wrong tuning, no Irish music, poor right hand technique for Irish music (good for jazz, however.)

  • @braxtonbourquin105
    @braxtonbourquin105 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    How in the Hell I'm supposed to tune this thing. My grandpa gave it to me and I don't know what to do with it. I've tried just about everything

  • @Pluck.play1992
    @Pluck.play1992 10 ปีที่แล้ว

    yes that was the easy part of the irish tenor banjo. now lets talk about jigs and reels....

  • @EamonSefton
    @EamonSefton 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This shouldn’t be called “how to play the irish tenor banjo”
    It’s a great tutorial on basic shapes for a tenor banjo (in standard tuning) used for ragtime, jazz etc. but in trad Irish music, tenor banjo is a played as a Melody instrument to play tunes as the fiddle or whistle might.
    There is nothing irish about this video

  • @robertpaulson2842
    @robertpaulson2842 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    I don't understand. He says "if you're a mandolin player you already know".
    I play mandolin, in GDAE tuning, as is standard. Tenor banjo is DGBD standard. How is this the same thing?

    • @robertpaulson2842
      @robertpaulson2842 7 ปีที่แล้ว

      I swear, this guy is a moron.

    • @alviando9133
      @alviando9133 7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Robert Paulson Barney McKenna introduced the GDAE tuning for the 4 string banjo in playing Irish music and it became more or less standard. As mandolins and violin are tuned the same, it makes sense he made that remark. Hope this helps.

    • @robertpaulson2842
      @robertpaulson2842 7 ปีที่แล้ว

      I understand that mandolin and violin are the same tuning, that has nothing to do with it. And tenor banjo emulates the high 4 strings of a guitar, not the low four. WTF are you trying to tell me?

    • @robertpaulson2842
      @robertpaulson2842 7 ปีที่แล้ว

      This comment was for a post that was deleted. Moron was confirmed moron.

    • @alviando9133
      @alviando9133 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Robert Paulson that this guy's remark is valid. InIrish 4 string banjo it has become normal to tune in GDAE and not DGBE as you claim (highest four strings of the guitar). Not necessary to get upset if someone tries to help out...

  • @nedead
    @nedead 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    What is Irish about this video? Any advance on "nothing"?

  • @IamUncledeuce
    @IamUncledeuce 10 ปีที่แล้ว

    Irish tenor banjos are tune GDAE not CGAD

  • @rbbrum110
    @rbbrum110 11 ปีที่แล้ว

    People just refuse to put the banjo down.

  • @mainer98
    @mainer98 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I think you're playing jazz tenor (CGDA) and not Irish tenor (GDAE).

  • @randyscott1074
    @randyscott1074 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hey here's an idea ! maybe you could show the people how to play a simple song like twinkle twinkle little star or happy birthday . Checkout TENOR BANJO TUTORIAL C TO G . In about 5 minutes I learned how to play 5 songs and I got my banjo yesterday . Do you actually think anyone is going to be able to play that chord you show as a beginner ? Checkout TENOR BANJO TUTORIAL and try to think of a SIMPLE song you can teach that can go from there . Thanks .

  • @aarongensler9340
    @aarongensler9340 7 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I don't know how this is supposed to be a tutorial on how to play Irish banjo. If you don't know how to play in the Irish style, why even waste people's time?

  • @raymonddixon7603
    @raymonddixon7603 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    An Irish tenor banjo has 17 frets.

  • @stampdealer
    @stampdealer 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    You owe me 2:56 of my life back. This supposedly "Irish tenor banjo" video, a) had no Irish music, and b) no mention of Barney McKenna, the greatest tenor banjo player the world has ever known. I call shenanigans.

  • @isaacconley4005
    @isaacconley4005 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Not always irish

  • @robbiejguitarist
    @robbiejguitarist 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Yep, disappointing that this is about Jazz and not Irish 😡

  • @ThisCreaturesFeatures
    @ThisCreaturesFeatures ปีที่แล้ว

    This is not even in the same solar system as Irish Tenor Banjo

  • @15footgelatinouscube
    @15footgelatinouscube ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This isn't Irish banjo

  • @lizardsofthetoast
    @lizardsofthetoast ปีที่แล้ว

    This man is talented and knowledgable but i think he has no understanding of the music played on these. I mean its melody instrument in. Irish music this is not. I mean louis louis? Easy? We irish tenor players still get no respect

  • @florentinroussel5672
    @florentinroussel5672 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    In absolute terms you can play any banjo on any style, but in Irish music, the GDAE tenor banjo is the most used. And we rather play the melody. Once again, we do what we want, but his video is unfortunately neither representative nor relevant. Sorry but it is a waste of time.

  • @liamanderson1960
    @liamanderson1960 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Ffs I couldn't follow you at all