The 6 String Banjo and Its Ancient Roots

Due to the prolific use of the banjo in modern music, especially country and bluegrass, people have become quite interested in this instrument of late. Few of these individuals realize that this modern instrument with anywhere from four to seven strings has roots in Africa. The name of the instrument varied but it was the jungles and plains of the dark continent that spawned this instrument and its distinctive sound. The 6 string banjo was a later invention of the British, however. There is some dispute among banjo players as to whether the 6 string banjo is actually a guitar. Most people who are not players of the instrument do not know of this controversy.

The Origin of the Banjo

The original banjo, often referred to as a banjar in modern terms, was a four stringed instrument derived from the body of a gourd. It was brought to early America by slaves and fashioned by their own hands from local resources as well. Over time this instrument was advanced into a more modern frame and material construction. The banjo became a major instrument in the early Americas and in Europe due to its natural resonator qualities in a time before electric amplifications was available. Country music and blue grass were the first types of music, which were affected greatly by this instrument, but now it can be seen in any genre from pop music to Celtic punk.

The 6 string banjo was invented in England in the mid-19th century by William Temlet a famed banjo maker of the era. The device was marketed as a zither-banjo and underwent constant reconstruction until it achieved its modern form.

Who Plays the 6 String Banjo ?

This instrument was and still is very popular among jazz musicians as well as country music and indie rock bands. However, most people who take the instrument up without a specific genre in mind do so because it is much easier to convert to this version of the banjo if the individual already plays the guitar. The design and set up of the strings is virtually identical to a standard guitar. The only difference is the sound, which is made, and that is the entire point of cross-over instrumentality. An individual who plays the guitar can play this type of banjo in roughly the same manner and illicit an entirely different set of sounds. This includes a bass line as well.

Who are the Most Famous Banjo Players?

While legendary Jazz greats such as Johnny St. Cyr and Clancy Hayes might ring a bell with the older crowd modern music fans might not have heard of their skills. However, these same individuals might have heard of Keith Urban and Rod Stewart to name a couple of players of the instrument. Country, rock, and even a few people attempting to use the banjo in a rap medium have made waves with the sound. There are few musical genres where the 6 string banjo does not fit in at all. It is a fine instrument with a powerful legacy.