BANJOS

The banjo was brought by Negro slaves into America hundreds of years ago. Originally it had 3 strings. In 1831 the five-string banjo was invented. However, by 1940 this instrument had almost forgotten and instrument companies stopped making them. In 1945 Earl Scruggs started the Three-finger picking style and since then it has been extensively used in bluegrass music.

In the picture is a Goldtone electric banjo. Banjo has 5 strings. Usually used in bluegrass and country music. "Dueling Banjo" is an interesting banjo tune which the banjo tries to follow every line the guitar plays. Another "classic" banjo tune is "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" written by Earl Scruggs. The album "Will the circle be unbroken" by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is a must-hear album which the banjo was used in many of the songs. One famous banjo player is Bela Fleck who experiments the banjo in many music styles other than bluegrass.