Post by adrianallan on Oct 29, 2013 21:06:58 GMT
It is often a cliche,while teaching the Blues as a subject area to High school kids, to say that the Banjo came from Africa, brought over by the slaves.
These instruments would probably have been brought over as more of a memory of an instrument, and the African would have set to work crafting a new instrument from the raw materials that the New World had to offer.
I asked for a bit more evidence of this theory on a forum for dulcimers and a very well informed lady offered some video links that show the evolution of the banjo. I think its fascinating, I hope you do.
The African Akonting is quite similar looking to a banjo, with its rounded body and very long neck. There are no frets as such, but it does seem like he has strapped on some fret markers, like those given to beginner violin players.The style of plucking is apparently like an early form of clawhammer used by minstrel bands in the 18oos. Who is good at identifying pitches, because I am not. Is this guy playing intervals that are inbetween western tempered scales. I would be interested to know if anyone can tell me.
Then we have an early US gourd banjo. still no frets as such, but you can see the tuning peg half way down the bottom string. This is to make the bottom string higher than the others, shortening the string length. It is still used on modern banjos and can cut through with a high note on a down strum.
Finally, here is a clip from the modern master of speed and dexterity, Earl Scruggs. But the shape of the instrument and form of playing bears a debt to its ancient Africa roots
.
These instruments would probably have been brought over as more of a memory of an instrument, and the African would have set to work crafting a new instrument from the raw materials that the New World had to offer.
I asked for a bit more evidence of this theory on a forum for dulcimers and a very well informed lady offered some video links that show the evolution of the banjo. I think its fascinating, I hope you do.
The African Akonting is quite similar looking to a banjo, with its rounded body and very long neck. There are no frets as such, but it does seem like he has strapped on some fret markers, like those given to beginner violin players.The style of plucking is apparently like an early form of clawhammer used by minstrel bands in the 18oos. Who is good at identifying pitches, because I am not. Is this guy playing intervals that are inbetween western tempered scales. I would be interested to know if anyone can tell me.
Then we have an early US gourd banjo. still no frets as such, but you can see the tuning peg half way down the bottom string. This is to make the bottom string higher than the others, shortening the string length. It is still used on modern banjos and can cut through with a high note on a down strum.
Finally, here is a clip from the modern master of speed and dexterity, Earl Scruggs. But the shape of the instrument and form of playing bears a debt to its ancient Africa roots
.
