Irish Banjo Lesson 2 - [The Basics] Kerry Polka 🎵🎵

[@jimbobs1951]

Watching from Dublin. Turned 70 and my family walked in with a tenor Banjo. Holy molee there’s life in the auld dog yet. My first thoughts were bring that yoke back and get yer money back. But then I discovered your good self. Yes the Kerry polka is getting there. I can’t put the friggin thing down. As soon as I have this off I will sign up for the lessons. Very well explained. Thank you👏👏👏👏👏👍🏻

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Great to hear !

[@johngardiner1630]

Carmichael Ca. ...Co Antrim man here, wanted to play the banjo since a 10 year old. Played the harmonica, melodean, violin, singer, now taking up a close friendship with my banjo @ 82 Thanks to Lisa it's within my grasp. Lisa you do a.... FANTASTIC JOB...!!!!

[@Nicholas-dreamlove]

This really is my very first banjo lesson and it's a 4 string Irish tenor banjo.

[@sdoyle9334]

I've had a 5string banjo sitting in the attic for years,so i decided to learn to play it.After a search i came across your chanel. So i removed the 5th string, put a capo on and tuned it to a irish tenor and it sounds good. within two weeks after putting in about an hour a day i have learned to play the kerry polka. Thank you.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Brilliant ! How is the banjo holding up being tuned like that?

[@sdoyle9334]

So far so good it's holding well. I have the capo at the 4th fret. Learning the first part of harvest home now...loving it. I have found you really have to start at a snails pace and gradually build and of course...a lot of patience☺.

[@daankuiper3417]

I am new to banjo and I want to do what you do as well. How did you tune it to to get the right sounds?

[@valeriepeters6204]

I’m playing from Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Thank you!

[@robertenglish9838]

Phrase by phrase is certainly my preferred method to teach/learn tunes. It's friendly and develops a nice bond between pupil and master. Imagine your grandaddy on the porch teaching you tunes from his early days.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Getting the tunes passed down is soulful - that's all I can say..

[@garyward2598]

This is fantastic. I've been causally playing the guitar for 10 years and I picked up the Irish banjo a week ago and I'm almost there with this tune. I have a feeling this is my instrument.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Gary, Excellent news ! There are more lessons with Lisa here - www.oaim.ie/tenor-banjo/banjo-basics/

[@garyward2598]

@@onlineacademyofirishmusic I've signed up.

[@cergert923]

Congratulations for the video! Since I've been in West Ireland three times, I love the irish music and pub sessions. Now I'm learning to play the irish tenor banjo. Go raibh maith agat agus greetings from the Basque Country.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Glad you liked it ! Did you learn the tune? Any Irish sessions close to your home?

[@cergert923]

I am learning "Master Crowley's" reel. Unfortunately no, here there are some "irish" pubs but they haven't irish music sessions like in Ireland or Irish Diaspora's pubs, only irish beer. Agur! Sláinte!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Nice tune ! You should try out our VR sessions for connecting and playing with others - kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKqmiGRnfcx8as0

[@GrionWolffox]

i can play this song on my cgda banjo thanks to this video! Yes, I did re-write it to my instruement because of the different tuning but how she says the notes what we play definately did helped just as the rythm. That was my first song what I did learn back in this year february and still play it as a practice piece.

[@jakedavies9346]

Fantastic tutor. Signing up for OAIM now!

[@Elmwood-ze3cr]

Really enjoying your lessons , Watching from Middlesbrough, England

[@FiddlingOnTheRoof]

Hello from Stafford County, Virginia, USA! I just ordered a banjo from McNeela and I can't wait to put this lesson to use! :-)

[@GStone]

I was bummed that my new banjo had only four strings, but now I'm stoked!

[@bhaabnagar-7114]

Hi lessa you are very nice tutor l miss you, l respect you. May God bless you lessa.

[@bhaabnagar-7114]

Thanks.....dear. you have any music video? Please give me link....if l am upset I watching your banjo ton.

[@markymark3916]

I've been looking for the best example I could apply to a Mandolin and this by far the best. Thank you

[@meiwgtls4318]

Hello from Japan! Thanks for the video :)

[@emilebertram]

Watching from Maastricht (The Netherlands).❤

[@benjaminferland8414]

First time playing a stringed instrument, love the sound of Irish tenor. Thanks for the easy to follow lessons - Ben from Alberta, Canada.

[@jamespennie9480]

going to sign up for this its the best lesson nice and easy its a real help

[@TLPsychologicalTherapiesTLPT]

watching from bishop Auckland in Co Durham , having lessons as well but these videos are working nicely alongside for extra practice , theyre great

[@WinifredMcArdle]

Co. Louth my very first lesson love it

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Winifred, great to hear you're on banjo ! Have you got the tune now? Lot's more here - oaim.ie/tenor-banjo/banjo-basics/

[@CloudPeaks]

So im not sure if this is in my blood or what, but years ago I got my first irish tenor banjo and I just got the confidence now to play it, and it seems to roll so naturally!!! thanks so much for your help! youre amazing

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Great ! Lot's more from Lisa on the site - www.oaim.ie/tenor-banjo/banjo-basics/

[@stannousvortalux5655]

Looking forward to working on this first tune with you! There isn't very much tenor banjo material on you tube, and I really appreciate your instruction. Stan from St. Louis, MO

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

You're welcome!

[@landsurfer66]

Hello from Canada. I just bought a tenor banjo, and your lessons are a tremendous help!

[@emilyschroeder2308]

Thank your for this! I normally play violin and tin whistle. However, my Father in Law recently passed away and I received his tenor banjo. I've been struggling with it, but finally picked it up with this video and have learned this whole song. I am so excited! Excellent instruction.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Emily, sorry to hear of the passing of your Father in Law. There's lots more lessons from Lisa here >> www.oaim.ie/tenor-banjo/banjo-basics/

[@emilyschroeder2308]

@@onlineacademyofirishmusic Thank you

[@jocanyoucantoo]

Thank you! Jo in West Yellowstone Montana here and I feel like I accomplish something with your videos. Thanks for keeping me company during self isolation haha

[@hanzazazel412]

I learned this song I'm ready for a new one!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Hazel, Delighted to hear you have learned the tune, are you enjoying playing it? Here's the rest of Lisa's course info - www.oaim.ie/course/54/banjo_basics The next tune in the series is 'Britches Full of Stitches'.

[@johnmcgowan7954]

Is there any way of giving a free snapshot of how you might sound when you've done the full course? I've just been given a gift of a banjo for a retirement present and would love to be assured that it's not beyond me for the sake of my marriage!! (I play the guitar already - ish). @@onlineacademyofirishmusic

[@matthewmillar3804]

I have a banjo on order. Getting ready to play! Greetings from Saskatchewan! 🙂👍

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Matthew, great ! Let us know how you're getting on ! Here's the course home page - www.oaim.ie/tenor-banjo/banjo-basics/

[@martincoates9048]

Excellent lesson - thanks!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Glad you liked it!

[@martincoates9048]

@@onlineacademyofirishmusic thanks so much - your teaching style is brilliant. I'm self taught, but haven't played my banjo in years. I found this video, blew the cobwebs off the banjo, and am now playing the kerry polka like a pro :). I'll be following all your other videos too !!

[@superdee489]

enjoyed the tutorial.

[@richardprince5758]

What a gorgeous looking Banjo,an Arch top,didn't know tenors came with Arch tops,I play 5 string but love the tone of the Tenor,thanks

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Richard, Glad you like the instrument, are you going to be getting a tenor to play some tunes?

[@stannousvortalux5655]

That's a tone ring man.

[@brantgraves5934]

These couple videos have been great! Are more coming?

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Brant, Yes, there is a full (progressive) course from Lisa on OAIM - www.oaim.ie/tenor-banjo/banjo-basics/

[@youtublore]

thanks!

[@TeddyApolloFN]

here from Scotland, looking to learn banjo! we like to use banjos sometimes in our jigs and reels etc., but I'm also a marine biologist and I love the inlays on your fretboard

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Lot's more great tunes from Lisa on the site - oaim.ie/tenor-banjo/banjo-basics/

[@yukongaming5055]

Great video

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Thanks! Did you get the tune??

[@littlebrayutd]

+Online Academy of Irish Music my neighbour knocked in to my house and gave me a banjo today .. I play acoustic guitar ... but am just starting going learn this tune ..... im irish from bray in wicklow and I love irish music

[@richardprince5758]

watching from the U.S. Idaho

[@denissalivanov]

love yu dearfriend!...thanks alot.) !!!! much helpful

[@etniesdub1]

struggling with this but getting there, just got my banjo a week ago and no previous instrument or music experience. Thanks for the video

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

What part are you struggling on?

[@paddypravda839]

Thanks for the video really helped

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Great, have you got the tune now?

[@paddypravda839]

Online Academy of Irish Music yep of course !

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Fantastic, well done, what's the next tune you're going to learn ?

[@smothgenesis09]

Watchin from Mexico

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Daniel! Hi from Ireland :)

[@edwardleahy6533]

I am a bit confused. At around 2:40 mark in the video you say DCA but in the sheet music and the TAB it's DBA that's played. EDIT:Looks just a slip of the tongue as you play DBA when I look at clip on right .

[@antialiased]

Watching from Ecuador because the 5th string tuner broke on my banjo and between the lack of banjos or banjo parts here and the quarantine, the probability of being able to frail again in the next couple months seems about zero. Plus always wanted to play Irish tunes, but the odd time signatures are nearly impossible to frail.

[@donnakelly6156]

Love to hear ur lessions as I am learing the banjo at the moment have u any tips please

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Learn more on the site - www.oaim.ie/tenor-banjo/banjo-basics/

[@patrickoreillyy1697]

Hi, excellent tutor. Thank you. I'm a complete beginner and having a bit of trouble learning this. Do you have the tab notation for it?

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Patrick, yes, the tabs are on the website in Lisa's course. I'll get them added here as well - www.oaim.ie/tenor-banjo/banjo-basics/

[@thomasdavidskerry8706]

Can you please advise on plectrum gauge and strings thanks Tom

[@bernardclyne6280]

i find when you play it i cant see where your fingers are i find this lesson very helpful thank i am a little slow

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Bernard, Keep practicing and training your ear to recognise the correct notes as you're playing the tune.

[@sheilalucas9154]

Hi Lisa , great lesson. When you play part one of the tune,in line 2 after the second D do you play 3 notes. It sounds good but I can't suss it yet.Thank you. Paul Lucas.

[@darraghconnolly8101]

I'm trying to Learn the tenor banjo although it seems quite hard

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Darragh, Keep practicing. You get out of it what you put in. Is there a session close to your home?

[@dfagan62]

Brilliant from Lockdown land in Kildare

[@denisjgately5227]

do the academygive a fingering chart for irish tenor banjo as it difficult to see the correct fingering as the hands cover the banjo.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Denis, yes, there is TAB on the site www.oaim.ie/tenor-banjo/banjo-basics/

[@ba1661]

Where are the other lessons?

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Brad, you can find all the info here - www.oaim.ie/tenor-banjo/banjo-basics/

[@pauljennings1531]

Hi I have started Banjo lessons 4 string 19 frets. I have been told to tune it into 1/D 2/B 3/G 4/D I am getting confused as video has it different. I done a google search and various ways and there seems to be different ways. What is the best to tune it to, as I want to learn Irish folk music? Thank you Paul.

[@Yocarisfastlike]

Can I play this on a regular banjo if so please provide tabs

[@alexandermalahoff5645]

Hi,, Thank you for your video lessons. I am new at playing and found them very easy to follow along. I was wondering though in the first part you play D,E,F,#E then D,C,A but in part b you play D,E,F#, E then D, B, A. Should it be D,B,A or D,C, A or are they different in each part?

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Teresa, We play by ear so sometime the notes change. It's up to your own interpretation of the tune. You can find sheet music here - www.oaim.ie/tenor-banjo/banjo-basics/

[@johnluvsluna]

This part D C A is confusing me. I spent a good while rewinding trying to see what cord is being a played in the middle, was it C sharp, was it C was it B? The video never shows us a Flat C, the C sharp sounds weird, so I assume D B A is the correct/best way. It's just a shame she says C in the video. Caused me and others a bit of frustration.

[@colmmurphy1009]

@@johnluvsluna same, my head was fried over this, I couldn't fugue out how it isn't B and not c

[@marcrummusic]

Nice one! I recorded a version a few days ago doubled with guitar and my own backing. I actually played it higher up the fretboard for a warmer tone. Feel free to listen to my recording to see what I mean.

[@cyounesful]

❤❤❤

[@thomashendel309]

In the third part when you said DCA. Can you explain that part using which finger/fret/cord. I am stuck. Thanks!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Thomas. Can you rewind the video and figure out what she is doing? Usually these are questions we field on our student forum.

[@vtwinal]

Where am I watching from ?? West Coast of Canada/ Vancouver Island/ Thank you.

[@grifalton]

same here!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Guys, are you playing the tune now?

[@OlaHigh87]

Northern Sweden. I've got the order of the notes, not the tempo. I've rewatched the intro multiple times to hear what it SHOULD sound like and I'm far off still. I haven't lost the urge to learn, though! Technical question, is the quality of the banjo important? I seem to hear the G&D string vibrate as I play, but maybe that is because of the quality of the strings/banjo.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi from Ireland ! Keep practicing, it does take a while but the more you play the easier it gets. Any banjo will do but if you can afford a better instrument it make learning easier and more fun.

[@j2000crawford]

Hello I am thinking of signing up are the notes available on line for each tune in ABC tab format

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi, Yes, they are available on the site. Also TAB and staff notation. Here's the link for the free trial - member.oaim.ie/free-trial/ Let me know if you need any assistance.

[@pkeelan56]

Do you strum those banjos? And what are the strings tuned to? GDAE or DGBE?

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Patrick, you can strum them but they're mostly used for picking the tunes. GDAE is the tuning. Lot's more info here - www.oaim.ie/tenor-banjo/banjo-basics/

[@gerryryan22]

First and great vid

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Thanks Gerry, did you get the tune?

[@paulcammillare105]

What chords would I play on the guitar for this tune please .....great work enjoyed it banjo Cammie uk

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Paul, We have guitar chords for all the tunes on the site - www.oaim.ie/

[@paulcammillare105]

@@onlineacademyofirishmusic thnxs I enjoy these lessons 😊

[@Bryan-ok4nh]

Do you never use your little finger for the fifth fret?

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

There are a few schools of thought and it depends on personal preference. I know Gerry O'Connor uses his pinky for the fifth fret.

[@rumpelstilzchen4369]

I just got a banjo from a friend today and I didn't even know how to tune it. I was so ignorant and tried to play some blues on it and nothing made sense. Now I've got this lovely tune in my head and it all made sense to me suddenly. Thanks for making the switch possible for an ignorant guitar shredder😘

[@lukedavern2205]

I'm a struggling with knowing which note is which when they're said I dont know what to play

[@janetfitzgerald9752]

Confused. Is it 1st part 3!ties and second part one time? Repeat?

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Janet, It's 1st part twice 2nd part twice - repeat. Does that add up?

[@markhealy8404]

Playing 2 weeks have the hang of twinkle twinkle little star this seems like a hole new ball game think I'll get lessions...but Lisa is great be giving it a bash anyway

[@darastuart2377]

Hi ive been playing Scruggs style banjo for 10 years but want to play Irish tenor banjo is the transition difficult and could you recommend a good intermediate Irish tenor banjo thanks Dara.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Dara, They are all mostly the same quality at the low end. If you love the tunes this is for you.

[@darastuart2377]

@@onlineacademyofirishmusic Thank you could you recommend a good intermediate 17 fret banjo thanks again Dara.

[@darastuart2377]

Thank you just bought a gold tone cripple creek tenor be here in a week thanks for the lesson Dara.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

That's great Dara, wishing you many happy hours playing music ! Let me know if you have any questions.

[@davidhussey3660]

I have signed up with oaim for the months free trial but havent received my password to continue to lesson 3 can you help me with this process

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi David, Please email [e-mail] and they will help you get online.

[@funnyboy9801]

Which brand of your banjo?

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Are you a beginner banjo player?

[@funnyboy9801]

Yes

[@thefifexpress3997]

From South korea

[@drewkerr5413]

I have just came across this tutorial and see it was done some years ago, but I'll ask anyway. So this is more of a question than a comment as I have this Tenor banjo and as I play a bit of mandolin, I returned to GDAE. But the G just sounds so duff (if that's the right word) when played. I noticed here you never used it. Is that the way it is or am I doing something wrong?

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi ! When was the last time you changed the strings? It could also be something muting the string in the nut / bridge etc. Before taking it to a luthier change the strings on her. G string is not used in this tutorial.

[@gregcallahan9700]

Pocono Mts Pennsylvania

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Greg! Have you learnt the tune?

[@gregcallahan9700]

@@onlineacademyofirishmusic Yes! New to this so playin it slowly for now. More practice ahead. Great teacher ! Thanks.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Nice 1 Greg, well done! Slow practice gets you there faster !

[@jimburns6232]

Have just came across your site would you please give me the four open string notes

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Jim, That would be GDAE. How are you getting along with this?

[@jamesjob1983]

What tuning are you using.. I play guitar so I'm trying to find lessons with the e b g d tuning

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi James, it's GDAE tuning.

[@aperson8988]

@@onlineacademyofirishmusic I have GDAE tab notation for this tune which says to play it one string (a fifth) up from how you are playing it? What are youre thoughts on this?

[@amberwolfe5829]

Is there a way to see the notes you use for the song? Is high D the same as D sharp?

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Amber, Irish music is all about developing your ear. I'm not sure which note it is, but try matching the 2 options to the note Lisa is playing and let me know if you can work that out. Are there any music sessions close to your home?

[@IfUfindthisURlost]

Amber, 'high D' just means a regular 'D' note, (not a D sharp). It refers to the fact that you can play the 'D' note either by playing the 3rd string open (D string, thus a D note), or you can get a D note by playing the third string (open A) at the 5th fret - also a D note, but an octave higher..... thus a high D refers to this way of making a D note.I hope that makes sense?

[@johnoreilly7319]

Amsterdam

[@tylerseale9064]

I love this tune! Just came across it and LOVE Irish music. I have a 5 string banjo and desperately want to learn the Kerry Polka now! Is there any way to interpret this tune from a tenor banjo to a 5 string??

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

The long and short of it is that you need a tenor.

[@highlander1]

South africa

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi from Ireland ! Lot's more lessons from Lisa on the site - www.oaim.ie/tenor-banjo/banjo-basics/

[@dec8745]

australia

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

HUP! Big love from Ireland :)

[@chalkitdownboy]

Any tips on how to play with fat fingers ? it’s only my fingers are fat 😉

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Haha, we're getting this question answered Jimmy, I'll be back to you.

[@chalkitdownboy]

I’m just about getting Twinkle Twinkle, anybody know how to put your fingers on a diet ? I’ve got fat ones, (only the fingers though) Lisa is a bit fast for me, my sitting room is like a recycling plant from all the notes, P.S. I’m from Cork like nearing the 70 mark🍻

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Jimmy, here's the advice from our tutor on the OAIM student forum - "My advice would be to make sure the top joint of your left hand fingers are coming straight in on the strings otherwise part of your fingers will be stopping the other strings from ringing out"

[@frankkennedy9018]

U

[@MD-dg2xs]

Je suis amoureux de vous 💗