The Banjo And Blues

2006-09-29 Word Count: 302 Category: Music

Typically when you think of banjo music, you think of Dixie, Country,and of course, the Blues. Banjo and the Blues have a very strong connection but the interesting thing is that the type of Blues played is influenced by various areas of the country. Each offers a unique soundeven though it all comes from the same instrument. The banjo is a veryspecial instrument that creates a sound like none other.

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 provides a range of resources at her web site: Red Banjo, where you will find information about different types ofbanjo. Why not take a look: www.redbanjo.com