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The banjo is a wonderful instrument with its own unique sound. Generally, we associate it with Dixieland, Country-Western, or the blues. We often think of the blues and the banjo as going hand-in-hand, but the banjo actually changes according to where it’s being played. For about 300 years banjos and fiddles have been primary instruments of African American music. Ever since the late 1700s, blacks and whites alike have loved the banjo, and shared their tunes and styles. By the late 1800s and early 1900s, the music began to change, reflecting its regional roots. For instance if you listen to banjo music in the Mississippi Delta it varies quite a bit from that heard in the Virginia Piedmont. The great thing about banjo playing is that many black players shaped the music and style of the banjo starting in the late 1800s. One of the most mentioned is a man named Gus Cannon. Gus played under the name of “Banjo Joe”, usually being accompanied by Blind Blake. During 1927,Banjo Joe cut several recordings for Paramount in which his “frailing techniques”, slide playing, and roll patterns became so famous. The modern banjo sound is very different from the old style. We can listen to the banjo in square dance, swing, and bluegrass, to mention a few styles. Back in the 1800s the music was more intimate, like a group of friends listening or jamming together. In those days it was a smooth style, but with lots of rhythm, while today’s playing sounds stiffer. The banjo is still a beloved instrument, but many long for the old time players like Allen Shelton, that weren’t as inhibited.
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Cordelia Tremont strives to help people seeking information about the banjo. Why not go to her web site at: Red Banjo, to see the information sources available to you. Visit: www.redbanjo.com
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