The tenor banjo is a relatively recent addition to the collection of Irish instruments, but Barney McKenna's pioneering playing with The Dubliners has helped make it a very popular traditional instrument, and today's great banjo players include Angelina Carberry and Gerry O'Connor. Designed for absolute beginners, this 10-week course provides an extensive introduction to this fine instrument, including:

• The basics – tuning and holding the instrument correctly, basic right and left hand technique.
• Scales and chords on the tenor banjo.
• Simple arrangements of great Irish songs, including ‘I'll Tell Me Ma’, ‘The Wild Rover’, and ‘Dirty Old Town’.
• Playing traditional tunes on the tenor banjo, including jigs, reels, hornpipes and polkas.
• Ornamentation – slurs, grace notes and triplets.
• Learning to play with other people in traditional music sessions.
• Listening to recordings of the tenor banjo in various musical contexts.

Participating students will need to have their own tenor banjos to bring to class and to practice with at home. If you do not already have an instrument for this course, please note that Waltons music shops offer suitable instruments, some of which are available on payment plans, for students at the New School Go to Recommended Instruments for more information.

Introducing 5-String Banjo is one of our group courses for beginners. Private, partner, group and one-off 'intensive' banjo lessons are also available for students at all levels, from beginner to advanced. Go to Departments & Faculty - Traditional Instruments for more information.

2012-2013 First Term Schedule & Fee

Schedule to be confirmed.

Tuition Fee: €170

Patrick Kiernan, Teacher

Paddy’s interest in the banjo grew out of his original love of Irish music, and he first took up the instrument after hearing Luke Kelly's famous recording of 'On Raglan Road’. He soon turned his attention to the bluegrass and folk world, learning from recordings of famous players such as Earl Scruggs and Béla Fleck, and studying with banjo legend Tony Trischka. Paddy played with Dublin's longest-running bluegrass band, Fair City Grass, from 2006 to 2008 and has performed and recorded with various bluegrass and folk bands and musicians at festivals throughout Ireland and the UK. He currently plays, arranges and teaches traditional and contemporary bluegrass, Irish traditional music, folk music and jazz on both the Irish tenor and 5-string banjos.

Enrolment

Enrolment for this course requires a completed enrolment form and full payment of tuition fees. (Go to Enrolment & Booking Form Downloads for a 2012-2013 General Enrolment Form.) Places are available on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the date of enrolment. Early enrolment is recommended, as places are limited to eight.

Purchasing this course as a gift? Go to Enrolment & Booking Form Downloads for a Gift Certificate Booking Form.

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