| Typically when you think of banjo music, you think of | | | | responsible for the way the banjo sounded. Gus |
| Dixie, Country,and of course, the Blues. Banjo and the | | | | Cannon, more commonly known as "Banjo Joe" was |
| Blues have a very strong connection but the interesting | | | | a very popular player. His accompanist was often a |
| thing is that the type of Blues played is influenced by | | | | man named Blind Blake. In 1927 "Banjo Joe" made |
| various areas of the country. Each offers a unique | | | | some records for the Paramount label. His techniques |
| soundeven though it all comes from the same | | | | soon were celebrated. Among them were "frailing", a |
| instrument. The banjo is a veryspecial instrument that | | | | method still studied, slide banjo, and rolling. |
| creates a sound like none other. | | | | The modern banjo sound is very different from the old |
| African Americans have been playing the banjo and | | | | style. We can listen to the banjo in square dance, |
| the fiddle for nearly 300 years. Caucasians also have | | | | swing, and bluegrass, to mention a few styles. Back in |
| been playing it since the late 1800s and early 1900s, | | | | the 1800s the music was more intimate, like a group of |
| and both races shared their strumming style and | | | | friends listening or jamming together. In those days it |
| appreciation for the banjo. Region also influences how | | | | was a smooth style, but with lots of rhythm, while |
| the music sounds. If you hear it played in the Mississippi | | | | today's playing sounds stiffer. The banjo is still a |
| Delta, then travel to Virginia Piedmont, you may not | | | | beloved instrument, but many long for the old time |
| know it's the same instrument. | | | | players like Allen Shelton, that weren't as inhibited. |
| In the early 19th century black musicians were | | | | |