Understanding the Banjo

Some of you might've been reading this blog with me and wondering why do I care so much about the banjo? Why is this important enough to merit writing about? I love the banjo because It creates music. It creates music that some people don't understand. It can be happy or very sad. It can be extremely complex or amazingly simple. It can be a solo instrument or background. The banjo exemplifies everything that music can be, should be, or could be. The banjo is music and music is my life. That is why I love the banjo.

Dueling banjos

So the first song most people think of when they think of the banjo is probably dueling banjos. This song is played by banjo players all over the world. Most people use two instruments. A Banjo (obviously) and a guitar. Most people don't know that. They think that it is played by two banjos because of the name. But that's not how this works. This guy figured out a way to play both parts on one banjo! It's awesome! Check it out!

History of the Banjo

I wanted to give you guys a history of the banjo in hopes that you'll gain some new knowledge. While I was doing my research I found a great article already written on the subject. So instead of subjecting you all to my sloppy version I simply got a link to this great article! Check it out!


http://www.musicfolk.com/docs/Features/Feature_Banjo.htm

....the link isn't wanting to work for me so just copy/paste!

Things you'll need

The first the thing you'll need is a banjo... obviously. It would be very difficult to play with out one. After that everything else that i list will simply be a suggestion. However everything I put will be what the professionals use when they play. The first thing you'll need is a strap. Even if you always plan on sitting. You need to hold the neck at a certain angle and have your hands free to move so it is very important to have a strap. You'll also need thumb and fingerpicks. This will help you get the good solid banjo sound you're looking for and it will help you to keep from hurting your fingers. you'll need a tuner if you ever want to be in tune and play with people. You'll need a drum key in order to tune the head of the banjo. That's pretty much everything you'll need! Go get all that and you will be ready to go!

Cool banjo people

There are lot's of famous people that play the banjo. Want to know why? Because it's awesome! Don't believe me that famous people play? I'll prove it. Steve Martin plays the banjo. John Lennon plays the banjo. Jerry Garcia plays the banjo. Ed helms plays the banjo. Some very popular people play the banjo. That's because the banjo is so cool! now check out some pictures of these people doing their thing.

Anatomy of a banjo

CC 2003 to Joseph Patrick Costello III

There are several variations of the banjo but this is a pretty good diagram to look at. You banjo might have a few different parts then can be seen in this image but it still odes a great job.

Why play the banjo

Some of you might be wandering what would make a young man want to play the banjo. These days people want to because of bands like Mumford and Sons but this has been in my heart much longer than they have been a band. When I was very young I was taken to the Grand Ole Opry. I don't remember what band was playing or what songs were played but I do remember falling in love with the banjo. A guy was playing what looked like the baby of a guitar and drum that fell in love and it made me fall in love. It's sound was so different from anything I had heard beforehand I knew that one day I would have to learn how to play it. As I got older I learned how to play several instruments and I enjoyed them all but my heart always longed for something more. I asked my girlfriend to get me a banjo for our anniversary and she said okay. But our aniversary came and went I still didn't have a banjo but then came my birthday and to my surprise I got a banjo! It's been a long road but that is why I wanted to play the banjo. Well that's all I have for today!

What I've learned so far

It's been about a month since I got my banjo and started learning how to play it. It's been an interesting journey so far. I play a lot of other stringed instruments and expected this to be pretty much the same. But it's very different from the ukulele or the guitar. The technical way you play is different but it also seems to pull emotions out of you. Depending on the song the banjo can be a happy or a sad instrument. It's very interesting and is a testament to how diverse the banjo truly is. It almost seems like a banjo is a different instrument to every person that picks it up. But that makes sense when you look at bluegrass music. Every song is it's own little masterpiece that is both overly joyous and unbelievably sad. Well that's all I have for you today banjo lovers. See you next time!

Favorite banjo player

This post isn't about who I think the best banjo player is. Instead it is about who my favorite banjo player is. There are several reasons as to why they are my favorite. They are possibly the coolest banjo player in the whole wide world. Millions of people of all ages and races love them. They are very talented considering their background. He has several songs including It's Not That Easy Being Green and, my all time favorite, Rainbow Connection. So as you've probably guessed it by now but my favorite banjo player of all time is Kermit the Frog. Here's a picture of him doing his thing!

Crazy Kid!

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This is Crazy!!! This kid is 9 years old and he is amazing at the banjo. Some of you might not be able to tell but at some points he is actually changing the tuning as he plays! He is ridiculously talented. I hope I'll be as good as him some day. It's really cool to see kids learning fun and interesting instruments at such a young age instead of the typical guitar or piano. You go kid!

I got a banjo the other day and I'm really excited to learn more about it! I can play a couple songs already and it's a lot of fun!