I do not want to appear as an expert by any means on trying to play Irish Dance music on the 5 string banjo. However, I feel it can be accomplished with taste and accuracy if certain techniques are used.
The 5 string will never sound like a tenor banjo in Irish music because of tuning and tone. They are entirely different. I am not trying to make the 5 string sound like a tenor banjo, but simply play Irish tunes on 5-string.
Where do I learn the tunes? Recordings of Paddy O'Brien, James Kelly,
Bothy Band etc...I like learning from Matt Molly and pipers such as Paddy Keenan and Kieren O'Hare etc...
Why? The 5 string has its limitations with notes below the low D string and octaves must be used to compensate for this. Flute and Pipes have the same problem. If Paddy and Matt do it, why not accomplish this on 5 string with success.
Taste and Sessions ?
Some tunes will never sound appealing on the 5 string, possibly because of the range, example, a C tune way way low. I sit out on tunes like this even if I know the things octaves above.
American fiddle tunes vs Irish tunes.
Melodic style banjo is a beautiful sound playing fiddle tunes. Do I play Irish tunes melodic style? No. There are other techniques out there, Tom Hanway and Alan Johnson have some good books on this. Looking at the Tab below, you will notice a single string approach which is my
preference. I feel playing single string style best achieves the sound I want. Alan and Tom can play the tunes with success melodic style and with with taste. If you want to to play the melodic style check out their books.
. NOTE "The 5-String banjo is not supposed to be playing Irish Dance Music" Seems to be an
attitude from some folks, Lets prove them wrong.
