| When people think of the banjo, they | | | | It was not long before the banjo became |
| immediately think about old bluegrass or | | | | popular during its time. It is even often |
| country music. Few will actually know where | | | | played in different music genres and appears |
| the banjo originated from and most will not | | | | to be an instrument that will remain an |
| picture the banjo being used for many other | | | | interest for people for many years to come. |
| genres of music. The banjo is not an | | | | It is an instrument that can remain diverse |
| instrument that has been around for an | | | | enough to keep up with the change in music |
| exceptionally long time, but it has been | | | | that inevitably comes with each new decade |
| around for a few hundred years. This unique | | | | and generation. |
| instrument was created by the Africans who | | | | |
| were enslaved in the United States and it is | | | | When thinking of an instrument to learn how |
| thought that the instrument is actually a | | | | to play, it will often depend on what genre |
| combination of a number of different African | | | | of music the prospective musician will want |
| instruments, which have been around for a | | | | to pursue. It is after deciding what music |
| very long time. | | | | genre they would like to focus on that they |
| | | | will then decide on what instrument they |
| The banjo is similar in general appearance to | | | | would like to play that will be one they will |
| the guitar, though the sound is very | | | | enjoy. Few will immediately think of the |
| different and the banjo's main form is round. | | | | banjo, but many who have an interest in |
| How the instrument is played is similar to | | | | country and bluegrass music will consider it. |
| other stringed instruments in that one hand, | | | | The banjo is not often used in hard rock, or |
| often the right, is used to pluck the strings | | | | rock and roll music, where most will consider |
| while the other is used to put pressure on | | | | the guitar. It really is an instrument that |
| the different strings to create different | | | | more people should consider. |
| notes. | | | | |
| | | | It has a unique sound that can not be |
| Today, there are many different forms of | | | | duplicated by any other instrument. It is one |
| banjos as it has been developed and changed | | | | that is so different that it will tend to |
| from its original form, much like other | | | | turn heads when it is played. It is also not |
| instruments have changed over time. The | | | | an overly complicated instrument to learn how |
| largest differences between the various | | | | to play, especially if someone has enough |
| banjos are the different numbers of strings, | | | | interest talent and familiarity with the |
| very much like the different kinds of | | | | guitar. The basics are generally the same |
| guitars. There are banjos with four strings, | | | | when playing the banjo, with some |
| five strings and six strings and are all | | | | differences. The range might not be as wide |
| played by plucking the strings with fingers. | | | | as other stringed instruments, but is can be |
| | | | dynamic enough to keep the music going. |