Tenor or 5 string banjo

kdowling

I am looking to learn the banjo. I'm interested in playing Irish music like wolf tones, dubliners etc
Would I be better of with a tenor or a 5 string banjo for this type of music?

seachto7

I dabble in both, and find the tenor easier, but the 5 string sounds nice as an accompanying instrument too. You'll find the tenor might be better for melodies or tunes.
Though didn't Luke Kelly play a 5 string? Not sure what tuning it was...
You seem to see most American roots/folk/country will use 5 strings, even some Irish bands.
Mumford and Sons would use a 5 string. Travis used one.

You can also get a banjo tuned like a guitar, 6 strings. Check it out...

Miklos

I think in terms of what would be 'traditional' (even though a Banjo is by no means traditional in the Irish sense) 4 strings is the standard.

I've played 4 string live a couple of times and it's good fun, same tuning intervals as violin so your fingers will definitely find the tunes better.

Faing

I play both, only advice to you is to mix with a few banjo players, maybe try one or two different ones and then make your decision. Tenor would be better for trad imho but 5 string can be used for same and is your only option if you want to play bluegrass style which can easily mix with irish tunes and ballads. Jesus, that is a difficult question to answer........... they both have their merits and advantages. They are both Banjos but are completely different instruments altogether:)