Speed the Plow on Tenor Banjo

This is a traditional Irish reel (at least I hope it is) called "Speed the Plow" or, alternatively, "The Plowman's Lunch." It is played on a tenor banjo tuned Sligo style (a half-step up). Comments welcome, though know that I'm aware of the bizarre A/V delay.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• traditional
• irish
• world
• music
• speed
• the
• plow
• tenor
• banjo
• plowman's
• lunch
• reel
• jig

[sortie31]

I'm going to ask a dumb question, but in what way is your banjo tuned?

[tantoonie0]

That's not a dumb question at all, sortie. My tuning, as with most tenor banjos, is GDAE, but I have mine tuned up an extra half-step (the equivalent of kapoing at the first fret). Hope this helps!

[EireGoCroi]

you are really good man how long you playing

[tantoonie0]

Slainte! Music, about 13 years. Tenor banjo, about 5 years.

[flashmob3]

Why do you *hope* it's Irish? I think this tune is English.

[voodoihippo]

@tantoonie0 I heard good tremolos!

[HorseyyGal]

what a tune! I learned this on guitar at the Frankie Kennedy Winter School, love it!!

[Bufalocarlos]

Man,you rule....Sligo tune,half step up,,good to know...Congratulations from Argentina

[themaffs]

Great playing, really excellent. I am learning to play tenor banjo, and I want to learn some traditional tunes. Can you recommend a website or book, etc, to get me started.

Thanks.

[hmnun08]

thank you, that clears things up for me.

[tantoonie0]

Thanks. I appreciate the feedback. To answer your quesiton, a tenor banjo is basically the same size and shape as a five-string banjo, but it only has four strings. Unlike a fiver, which is tuned GDGBD, the Irish tenor banjo is typically tuned like a mandolin (GDAE) or like a mandola (CGDA). Hope this answers your questions.

[hmnun08]

5 string banjo, left that out. good playing by the way, your very good.

[hmnun08]

I love the irish style of songs and i love the banjo, although i don't play it. I play electric guitar instead so I'm not good with finger picking and plucking. And stupid question, what's the difference between a tenor banjo and a string banjo? Is it the same thing except with an extra string like a 6 string guitar compared to a 7 string?

[philomelodia]

Had me reaching for my dreadnought guitar to play along with ya. Nice job. Good rhythm you got there.

A Usually classical guitarist turning to the wild side :)