Name/Title
BanjoEntry/Object ID
2004.6.6Description
Description: Banjo:
The banjo is a four or five stringed instrument with a piece of plastic or animal skin stretched over a circular frame. Simpler forms of the instrument were fashioned by enslaved Africans in Colonial America, adapted from several African instruments of the same basic design.
The banjo is usually associated with country, folk, Irish traditional music and bluegrass music. Historically, the banjo occupied a central place in African traditional music, before becoming popular in the minstrel shows of the 19th century. In fact, slaves influenced early development of the music that became country and bluegrass, through the introduction of the banjo and through the innovation of musical techniques for both the banjo and fiddle. The banjo, with the fiddle, is a mainstay of American old-time music.
Our shorter-necked, tenor banjo is typically played with a plectrum. It became a popular instrument after about 1910. Early models used for melodic picking typically had 17 frets on the neck and a scale length of 19½ to 21½ inches. Our banjo has 17 frets and a scale length of 20 3/4 inches. The tenor banjo was a common rhythm instrument in early 20th-century dance bands. Its volume and timbre suited early jazz (and jazz-influenced popular music styles) and could both compete with other instruments (such as brass instruments and saxophones) and be heard clearly on acoustic recordings.
Our banjo has no visible branding or labels, and is simply 'unknown'. It has a Grover "Non-tip" 4-string banjo bridge.Collection
Suomynona CollectionDimensions
Width
12-5/8 inDepth
3 inLength
30 inLocation
Location
Container
LeftDrawer
BottomShelf
LeftCabinet
F5Wall
NorthBuilding
Founders RoomCategory
Permanent
