Banjo Ukulele!

Banjo Ukulele!

The banjo ukulele, banjo uke, ukulele banjo or banjolele, is an instrument hybrid consisting of a banjo body (usually of the 4 string variety) with a ukulele neck!

It was used in both a novelty and professional sense most commonly in the early 1920's and 1930's when early theatre and travelling performers needed the convenience of a ukulele, with the volume and control of a banjo!

A dixie model was also made, using mainly metal materials rather than the more common wooden styles.



George Formby popularised the banjolele both in a musical and comedic way in the earlier 20th century, with a range of popular musicians following with including the instrument in there recordings!


Now that you have the information side down, here's a great place on where to start with learning the music side of things!

1. https://ukuguides.com/guides/basic-ukulele-chords-for-beginning-players/

Irish Banjo vs. 5 String Banjo?

''What's the difference between an Irish Banjo, a 4 string banjo and a 5 string banjo?''

A commonly asked question, the answer is simple!
Firstly an 'Irish Banjo' IS a 4 string banjo, the prefix 'Irish' is simply the style played on it, rather than the banjo itself, and a 4 string banjo being a variation of the 5 string model!

It's used mainly for chord progressions (rhythm) during traditional Irish songs, although very frequently the song will spotlight the banjo for a solo or melodic performance, in which case a tremolo and / or triplet style is undertaken.

The Irish banjo has no 'drone' string like its 5 string cousin!

The use of Irish scales, Irish melodies and other compositions most common on the Island is what gives the ordinary 4 string banjo an Irish feel, or rather, what makes it the ''Irish Banjo''.

Plectrums and picking are most widely used to technique to play Irish banjo.

''What is an Irish Tenor Banjo?''

An Irish Tenor Banjo, like the Irish banjo, is simply a variation of style on a Tenor Banjo.
What makes this variation a tenor banjo is primarily the tuning:

G2 D3 A3 E4


Which is the same tuning as a mandolin, just an octave lower.This tuning allows the player of a tenor banjo to both read, play and duplicated the fiddle (violin) and mandolin players in a performance!

Irish Banjo Tabs (Lessons)

Learning Irish banjo can be somewhat strange at first because
unlike a lot of todays popular music, Irish music varies way
beyond common 4/4 timing.

Although with a little practice, and a lot of listening, you will
lock into the Irish rhythm without a second thought.



Here are some of the BEST online resources for Irish Banjo Tablature
available to get you playing some true Irish music!

• banjo-tablatures.com

• martindardis.com/irish_banjo_tabs.html

• rigandjeels.com/category/tenor-banjo-tab/

• songsterr.com/a/wsa/traditional-irish-the-wild-rover-mandolin-tab-s382475t0

(Updated with new tabs when available!)