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