Tenor Banjo: A Little History

Banjo: from the Portugese "bandore", and Spanish "bandurria"

Since they were part of slave trade, musicologists see early banjo-like instruments made of gourds primarily as early as the 17th century.

The first white man to popularize the banjo was "Sweeney" in 1830.

Tenor banjos became popular in Irish music in 1962 with the Dubliners re-tuning the instrument in from a C,G,D,A tuning (like a viola, cello), to a G,D,A,E tuning (like a violin) for ease of playing by fiddlers.

Tenor banjos were also used in the early 1900s in New Orleans Jazz Bands and later Dixieland bands for their volume and chordal capabilities.

Today, tenor banjos are still quite popular in Irish music and you won't see a seisun without one!

I have been teaching people how to play the Irish tenor banjo since 2004.  Sign up for lessons here

Tenor Banjo: A Little History

Banjo: from the Portugese "bandore", and Spanish "bandurria"

Since they were part of slave trade, musicologists see early banjo-like instruments made of gourds primarily as early as the 17th century.

The first white man to popularize the banjo was "Sweeney" in 1830.

Tenor banjos became popular in Irish music in 1962 with the Dubliners re-tuning the instrument in from a C,G,D,A tuning (like a viola, cello), to a G,D,A,E tuning (like a violin) for ease of playing by fiddlers.

Tenor banjos were also used in the early 1900s in New Orleans Jazz Bands and later Dixieland bands for their volume and chordal capabilities.

Today, tenor banjos are still quite popular in Irish music and you won't see a seisun without one!

I have been teaching people how to play the Irish tenor banjo since 2004.  Sign up for lessons here

Offering Irish Tenor Banjo Lessons Since 2004

Are you on Facebook?  Join our group for beginners here.  You can also join our Tenor banjo 4 beginners weekly Meet here

Since 2004, I have been teaching people how to play the Irish tenor banjo.  What's the difference between the  Irish tenor banjo, the American tenor banjo, the Bluegrass (finger picking) 5 string banjo, Clawhammer banjo and Frailing banjo?

• Irish tenor banjos are tuned: G,D,A,E.  Here's an example of Irish banjo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wCfo4mA4RY
• American tenor banjos are tuned: C,G,D,A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1poF43KISRU
• Bluegrass 5 string banjos are played with finger picks
• Clawhammer banjo and Frailing banjo are very similar.  Here's an example of Clawhammer style: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnAZloK7P88
• Here's an example of Frailing banjo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SziqXi045hY

Tenor Banjo lessons are offered online M-F 9am-6pm EST.  If you would like to learn how to play this lively and fun instrument, you'll need a banjo.  We recommend the Deering "Goodtime" 17-fret.  For $600 bucks, it's a good deal on an American-made banjo.  Of course you can find less expensive Chinese-made banjos, but honestly, when it comes right down to it, wouldn't you prefer a hand-made instrument from California?  I know you would!  Here's everything you ever wanted to know about Deering.  You'll need a plectrum (pick).  We can talk about options in your first lesson, for now, see if you can find a guitar pick less than 1mm preferred.  

• Now pick a day and time that  works best for you.  Check the calendar/schedule for openings or email me if you can't find one that's suitable for your schedule.
• Lessons start at $55/week and are generally 30 minutes long.  60 minute lessons are also available.  Learn more here.  Turn on your Slack a couple minutes before it is your time and make sure you are logged in, otherwise you may miss your slot!  
• I prefer payment by Venmo.  Here's a link to my page

NOTE: Read and understand my Policies before coming for your first class.

Beginning students will learn the basics: music theory and how to read music, how to count, meter and rhythm, keys and chords; how to hold the instrument and pick (or bow for violin players); how to practice scales, arpeggios and exercises; how to play basic melodies.  At some point, usually within a few weeks, beginning students may be ready for more advanced material which will be assigned at that time.

Advanced students that can already read and understand the basics of their instrument will study more advanced theory including the modes, advanced timing and rhythm, advanced chords, harmonization, improvisation, and will be introduced to a wide variety of music depending on the genre and style they have chosen to study.  For example, Classical musicians will be exposed to a variety of composers from the Renaissance Era up to the Romantic Era and everything in between.  Folk musicians will be exposed to a wide variety of western European traditional dance music styles including Celtic, Quebecois and Cape Breton music as well as American styles such as Bluegrass, Country, Western Swing, Jazz, Blues, and more.

Offering Irish Tenor Banjo Lessons Since 2004

Are you on Facebook?  Join our group for beginners here.  You can also join our Tenor banjo 4 beginners weekly Meet here

Since 2004, I have been teaching people how to play the Irish tenor banjo.  What's the difference between the  Irish tenor banjo, the American tenor banjo, the Bluegrass (finger picking) 5 string banjo, Clawhammer banjo and Frailing banjo?

• Irish tenor banjos are tuned: G,D,A,E.  Here's an example of Irish banjo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wCfo4mA4RY
• American tenor banjos are tuned: C,G,D,A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1poF43KISRU
• Bluegrass 5 string banjos are played with finger picks
• Clawhammer banjo and Frailing banjo are very similar.  Here's an example of Clawhammer style: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnAZloK7P88
• Here's an example of Frailing banjo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SziqXi045hY

Tenor Banjo lessons are offered online M-F 9am-6pm EST.  If you would like to learn how to play this lively and fun instrument, you'll need a banjo.  We recommend the Deering "Goodtime" 17-fret.  For $600 bucks, it's a good deal on an American-made banjo.  Of course you can find less expensive Chinese-made banjos, but honestly, when it comes right down to it, wouldn't you prefer a hand-made instrument from California?  I know you would!  Here's everything you ever wanted to know about Deering.  You'll need a plectrum (pick).  We can talk about options in your first lesson, for now, see if you can find a guitar pick less than 1mm preferred.  

• Now pick a day and time that  works best for you.  Check the calendar/schedule for openings or email me if you can't find one that's suitable for your schedule.
• Lessons start at $55/week and are generally 30 minutes long.  60 minute lessons are also available.  Learn more here.  Turn on your Slack a couple minutes before it is your time and make sure you are logged in, otherwise you may miss your slot!  
• I prefer payment by Venmo.  Here's a link to my page

NOTE: Read and understand my Policies before coming for your first class.

Beginning students will learn the basics: music theory and how to read music, how to count, meter and rhythm, keys and chords; how to hold the instrument and pick (or bow for violin players); how to practice scales, arpeggios and exercises; how to play basic melodies.  At some point, usually within a few weeks, beginning students may be ready for more advanced material which will be assigned at that time.

Advanced students that can already read and understand the basics of their instrument will study more advanced theory including the modes, advanced timing and rhythm, advanced chords, harmonization, improvisation, and will be introduced to a wide variety of music depending on the genre and style they have chosen to study.  For example, Classical musicians will be exposed to a variety of composers from the Renaissance Era up to the Romantic Era and everything in between.  Folk musicians will be exposed to a wide variety of western European traditional dance music styles including Celtic, Quebecois and Cape Breton music as well as American styles such as Bluegrass, Country, Western Swing, Jazz, Blues, and more.