Chiff and Fipple Forums

Does anyone have recommendations for recordings of Irish music on 5-string banjo?

Truly a niche within a niche!

You might already be aware, but just so it's clear what the recommendations are, there are two primary 'schools' of 5-string banjo playing, usually called 'three-finger' or 'Bluegrass' banjo, and 'clawhammer' or 'Old-Time' banjo. The playing techniques, approach toward melodies, ornaments, tunings used, and even preferred construction of the banjos themselves vary pretty widely between these two styles. Comparing them is almost like comparing different instruments. Not knowing what style of banjo you're interested in, I'll try and cover both

For three-finger banjo playing: I would look up Dave Hum. Sadly no longer with us, but he made two albums of Celtic and Bluegrass banjo tunes all mixed up together. If you search his name on youtube you'll find some videos, or you can still find his albums on his website:
https://www.davehum.co.uk/shop

Tom Hanway is another name that often comes up when this topic is raised. He's got several books published by Mel Bay with tablature for Celtic tunes on 5-string banjo which I think also come with audio files of the tunes:
https://www.melbay.com/Author/Default.a ... orId=37876

For clawhammer playing: Steve Baughman is a great clawhammer banjo player who I don't think has released any album recordings of Celtic/Irish music, but has a few great videos on youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3Y7F5JJRcM

And at the risk of making this a commercial post, I've recorded a few sets of Irish tunes in clawhammer style myself:
https://hpchristopher.bandcamp.com/releases

I hope some of that's helpful. This topic is one that has come up a few times on the banjo hangout forum (banjohangout.org) so if you're looking for more suggestions you will no doubt find them there if you do some digging

Seamus Egan is one notable player who’s recordings are easy enough to find. Look for his solo albums, as well as the band Solas.

For something unusual, listen to "Irish Washerwoman" by Pete Roberts (Pete Kuykendall) on "American Banjo: 3 Finger & Scruggs Style". Its in the Library of Congress Folkways Catalog where you can buy an MP3 of it. Pete slows the jig down to waltz tempo while throwing in a ton of extra notes. I thought it was wonderful when I first heard it decades ago. I still do.

I love the 5-string banjo playing Irish tunes. Being a banjo player myself, I understand why so few people play Irish on the 5-string though, the tuning makes it very difficult to grab the notes that you need without leaping around a lot, and the right hand technique needs a high level of competence to get ornaments to come out right. But there are some folks who really have done some fine work with it. Check out Ryan Cavanaugh: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiL0Eiqu7Nc and Jonny Toman (He especially to my ears really gets that trad sound): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCEcgLJyUA4

I love to listen to the sound of the 5-string banjo and am learning to play. Anyone have recommendations for [Free Banjo Tabs](https://mixingaband.com/free-banjo-tabs-tablature/)

Sure thing! Check out Kieran Hanrahan, Enda Scahill, Mick Moloney, Gerry O'Connor, and We Banjo 3 for great Irish banjo tunes. Enjoy the music!