What is the difference between a tenor and an Irish tenor?

The difference between the Tenor Banjo and Irish Tenor Banjo is, on one level, analogous to the difference between a violin and a fiddle. A tenor banjo is like a classical viola (tuned CGDA) and an Irish tenor banjo is tuned like an octave (often called a baritone) fiddle (GDAE, an octave lower than a violin).

What makes an Irish tenor?

Subject: RE: What’s an ‘Irish tenor’ (as in singer)? An “Irish tenner” is a one pound note. Subject: RE: What’s an ‘Irish tenor’ (as in singer)? MacColl was usually not nasal, but later he often switched back and forth from normal to very, very nasal (though not within the same song!).

How many types of tenor are there?

Within the tenor voice type category are seven generally recognized subcategories: leggero tenor, lyric tenor, spinto tenor, dramatic tenor, heldentenor, Mozart tenor, and tenor buffo or spieltenor.

Who is the best Irish tenor?

John McCormack
John McCormack is universally regarded as the greatest Irish tenor of all time, and as one of the greatest vocalists of the last 400 years. He is renowned for his ability to sing all forms of music with supreme mastery, stylistic refinement and unwavering control.

Are banjos Irish?

Most banjo historians agree that what we know as the banjo was invented in America, by descendants of Africans (i.e. slaves). This is but one of a multitude of inventions by African Americans. The fretless Minstrel Banjos were probably used mostly for simple accompaniment in Irish Traditional Music.

Is tenor banjo same as mandolin?

They are much the same. Folks generally approach OCTAVE mandolin fingering, which is frequently the same scale-length or very close to TB, as standard mandolin fingering–albeit, employing much more stretching.

Are the Irish Tenors still together?

Scully remained a member of the trio until Tynan’s return in 2012. The current trio comprises Kearns, Tynan and Wright, who continue to tour twice annually, typically around St. Patrick’s Day and around the Christmas holidays.

Why is the fifth string on a banjo shorter?

Since the 5th string was a drone string it didn’t matter if it reached the peg head, so the 5th string was shortened to remove half the tension so it wouldn’t break and still could be used as a drone. Click Here: Banjo Hangout Rules & Guidelines.

What is a 4 string banjo called?

4-String Banjos Other instruments under the four-string category include the tenor banjo and the plectrum banjo. The main difference between these two is that the tenor banjo is shorter in scale length than the plectrum banjo; the plectrum banjo is the same scale as the 5 string banjo, but played with a flat pick.

What’s the difference between Irish tenor and standard tenor tuning?

Standard tenor tuning is the same as viola or mandola and the Irish tenor tuning is the same as the mandolin or violin – only an octave lower so try these banjos on some classical or bluegrass tunes. Throw some Bill Monroe licks on these banjos and you’ll see what I mean!

Who is the most famous Irish tenor?

When the world was young, a very popular Irish tenor was Dennis Day. He was a regular on the Jack Benny show, on radio and then on TV. Born Owen Patrick Eugene McNulty.

Is there an Irish tenor banjo standard?

After spending years playing and talking to Irish tenor banjo players, going to Irish sessions, even traveling to Ireland to watch and listen, I have determined that there is no exact standard although there are some generalizations. What Is the Role Of the Banjo In Irish Music?

Is Pavarotti an Irish tenor?

1. The “Irish tenor” is generally just a light, lyric tenor like John McCormack. Luciano Pavarotti could never be mistaken for an “Irish” (light, lyric) tenor. His milieu is more opera by Verdi, Puccini, and other Italian composers And certainly not Danish tenor Lauritz Melchior, who is a dramatic Wagnerian tenor.