banjos

The banjo is a plucked string instrument with a circular body or pot, usually covered by a skin or synthetic head, a fretted neck, and four to six strings. The most common modern form is the five-string banjo, which typically includes a short drone string in addition to four longer strings and may be played with a resonator back for volume.

Origins and development:

Banjo-like instruments originated in West Africa and were adapted in the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries. Early American banjos combined inexpensive materials with European fretted necks, evolving in style and construction. Joel Sweeney and other 19th‑century players helped popularize the five-string banjo, and American manufacturers such as Gibson and Vega established influential designs. In the 20th century, synthetic heads and improved hardware standardized the instrument for mass production, while contemporary makers continue to refine tone and playability.

Tuning, styles, and variants:

Five-string banjos are commonly tuned to open G (often written as g-D-G-B-D), with the short fifth string tuned higher as a drone. Playing styles span old-time and frailing techniques, bluegrass three-finger picking, and jazz or folk-inspired approaches. Besides the five-string, four-string variants—the tenor and plectrum banjos—exist for different repertoire and ensembles and are often used in jazz settings. Six-string banjos, essentially a guitar‑scale neck with a banjo body, are less common but used by some players.

Cultural role and impact:

The banjo remains associated with American folk, country, and bluegrass music and has appeared in diverse genres and media. Notable players include Earl Scruggs, who popularized contemporary three-finger picking, along with figures such as Pete Seeger and Bela Fleck.