PBS Arts : Give Me The Banjo

[jaybird]

Tomorrow night!
http://www.pbs.org/arts/exhibit/give-me-the-banjo/
The banjo’s been called America’s quintessential instrument, perhaps because its long and contested history has encompassed so many popular musical forms, from black folk styles and the 19th century minstrel show, to blues, ragtime, early jazz, old time folk and bluegrass. One of the biggest challenges of making Give Me the Banjo was trying to cover the full range and breadth of music that the banjo has helped to shape.Ask Dr. Ralph Stanley what he’s been playing for the last half century and he’ll call it “old time mountain music.” Enjoy these diverse performances from Cynthia Sayer, Taj Mahal, Rhiannon Giddens and Abigail Washburn. For more on the banjo’s diverse styles and history, visit The Banjo Project.
http://www.thebanjoproject.org/

 

[jaybird]

see above

 

[baronsamedi]

My dad used to play that song on the banjo all the time. My brother picked it up, but I had to play bass guitar.

 

[cortezattic]

If every child had been given a banjo at birth there would be no wars.

 

[aussielass]

Is it just me being a technophobic 'ol fool or do those videos on your first link not actually play?
I adore the banjo, but my folks made me do classical guitar instead, blaargh!

 

[ace57]

That's what I play, a 4 string tenor.

 

[nathaniel]

Out of the 7 instruments I play, the ol' 5 string is where my heart lies. It's just so raw and yet ridiculously cultured.
Plus, Gold Tone is here in town so that always pretty sweet. 8)

 

[hobie1dog]

it looks like the most difficult instrument in the world to play.

 

[yohanan]

it looks like the most difficult instrument in the world to play.

Looks can be deceiving, It's like anything else, practice makes perfect, I know that If I can "bang" out a couple of tunes, anyone else most certainly can. ::