Banjo music is an expressive genre dominated by the banjo. Influencing multiple types of music such as Bluegrass and Old Time, and even giving rise to Earl Scruggs’ three-finger picking technique; along with melodies it often includes drone notes.
Banjo
Banjo music became increasingly prominent during the second half of the nineteenth century in genres such as folk, country, old-time and bluegrass music, though its presence diminished in twentieth-century African American music. Because it had such an association with these genres and was less present among Black performers and scholars during this timeframe, its association became widely perceived as symbolizing rural White culture rather than its African roots; yet performers and scholars are working towards restoring its place within Black culture.
The five-string resonator banjo is the primary instrument used in bluegrass music. It can be played using various techniques such as Scruggs style (after banjo player Earl Scruggs); melodic Keith style; single string tremolo and duo style which combines chordal accompaniment and single string melody playing. A four-string plectrum banjo may also be employed in bluegrass, often in an imitation clawhammer style; its counterpart, the tenor banjo can also be played using two or three finger picking styles or drop thumb style (an adaptation of frailing which allows the fifth string drone after each stroke or strike).
As well as its traditional uses in country and bluegrass music, the banjo can also be found being utilized in Irish traditional music as well as jazz and classical pieces. Frederick Delius wrote for banjo in his opera Koanga while Ernst Krenek included two banjos into his orchestration for Kurt Weill’s song cycle Mahagonny by Ernst Krenek.
Although banjo has long been used in various musical genres, its prominence in bluegrass and country music can be traced to musicians such as Flatt and Scruggs’ Foggy Mountain Boys group. Their pioneering efforts brought traditional Appalachian sounds directly to television audiences across America through radio broadcasting.
Bluegrass
Bluegrass music is defined by vocal and instrumental melodies with traditional chord progressions played on stringed instruments like banjos, guitars, fiddles, mandolins and upright basses. Instrumental breaks – typically short improvisations on a particular musical theme – are an integral component of bluegrass. Since The Blue Grass Boys and Flatt and Scruggs first became widely known through radio and television broadcasts during the 1970s, many younger groups have replicated traditional bluegrass in many forms: often incorporating songs and elements from other popular genres like folk or rock into their performances; some artists even explored progressive tendencies within bluegrass such as jazz-influenced banjo-bass duets as well as more complex chord structures which went beyond what had previously been considered traditional.
Old-time
Old-time music refers to an array of rural American musical styles that emerged before recorded music was widely accessible. It incorporates fiddle traditions from Scotland, Ireland, England and France with rhythmic, vocal and instrumental styles derived from West African music – especially banjo music which originally evolved out of Caribbean gourd music played on fretless instruments similar to gourds used by slaves during slavery. The banjo has always been at the heart of old-time music as one of its key components.
Old time music encompasses dance tunes and songs with spoken-word lyrics. It can be performed either solo instruments or small ensembles called string bands; fiddles and banjos are typically among these instruments. Old time music can often be found being performed at parties and other social gatherings and may contain some irreverence, with profane lyrics. Song arrangements typically aren’t set down beforehand but created improvising by musicians on-site.
In the 1920s, musicians began recording old-time music. These recordings were first known as hillbilly records but later came to be known simply as country music.
North Carolina was home to many early recordings of traditional American country music, and boasts some of its first stars like Bascom Lamar Lunsford, an eponymous banjo player; Charlie Poole a mountain millworker known for singing raunchy good-time songs; and Samantha Bumgarner one of its earliest female recording artists.
Old-time recordings from the 1920s to mid 1930s are among the finest sources for old-time music, as digitized copies can be found at libraries like Berea College Sound Archives and Library of Congress. Many old-time musicians draw their inspiration from them today. Additionally, musicians often seek historical and field recordings predating bluegrass.
Celtic
Celtic music is an umbrella term encompassing traditional folk, modern pop, rock, reggae, new-age and smooth jazz styles. In the 1980s bands like Clannad, the Corrs, Pogues and Dexys Midnight Runners pioneered traditional Celtic sounds while merging them with popular genres like rock. Today you can find Celtic influences present in almost all forms of modern music and are commonly referred to as Celtic fusion.
Celtic music can be found across Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man, Cornwall and Brittany, and Galicia (Spain). Welsh eisteddfod traditions remain strong today while large and small Celtic festivals take place worldwide, particularly in Brittany.
Celtic culture can be found throughout Atlantic Canada, where Irish, Scottish and Acadian populations are extremely prevalent. This region has produced its own distinct style of Celtic music influenced by traditional songs and dances unique to Atlantic Canada; Acadians developed their own distinct form influenced by their heritage in seafaring, fishing and other primary industries which can be heard both Newfoundland and Cape Breton provinces.
Jazz
Jazz music can be composed and performed using any number of instruments, including banjo. Some contemporary jazz musicians have even blended hip-hop and R&B influences into their styles; its popularity has skyrocketed over the past several years thanks to artists like Kendrick Lamar influencing younger listeners. Contemporary jazz often incorporates both live instrumentation with electronic beats and samples as well as more traditional band-based improvised jazz performances.
Jazz is a harmonically sophisticated genre based on improvisation. Its signature rhythm and tempo distinguish it from other popular music genres, while its form can be played solo or with other musicians; and has had an enormous effect on other types of musical genres. Jazz can even be found within Hollywood studio system film scores!
Smooth jazz became increasingly popular during the 1980s as a commercial form of jazz music, typically played at slower tempos of 90-105 beats per minute and often featuring singers or instrumentalists with smooth melodies, such as Al Jarreau, Anita Baker and Chaka Khan; as well as Grover Washington Jr., Kenny G and Kirk Whalum as saxophonists.
Though banjo is not traditionally associated with jazz music, several musicians have used it to add groove. Experimenters such as Bela Fleck and Tony Trishcka have created what could be termed as jazz-influenced banjo; furthermore these artists have also influenced other styles like old time and bluegrass music.
Even though most bluegrass and old-time music is performed using a clawhammer, some artists have experimented with the plectrum banjo (created by Earl Scruggs). Although most artists typically favor clawhammers for traditional playing style, plectrum banjo has its own distinctive sound and rhythm; its popularity can range from solo performances to ensemble works.