Banjo 15 | Discussion (Early Gourd Banjo)
Added 2018-08-01 18:09:25 +0000 UTCHere's a detailed look at my latest banjo build: an 18th or 17th century style gourd banjo. Historically these have been referred to as "banza," "banjer," "strum strum," "banshaw" &c. This instrument is entirely handmade (no power tools were used in its construction) and is surprisingly durable and playable. It's also light as a feather!
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Comments
I had it hung up in a high place on my porch out of the sun and rain for about two years. I would think one year would be plenty, though.
Clifton Hicks
2018-08-14 18:04:00 +0000 UTCHow did you dry this gourd? I've bought one more than a year ago, and it's still in the conditions it was back then...
Fabrizio Schwarz
2018-08-14 17:31:37 +0000 UTCMan i love this you did a great job! I was inspired by Pete Ross a while ago to make something like this but haven't yet found the right shaped gourd yet. Nice one Clifton.
Flatfoot Johnny
2018-08-09 19:43:22 +0000 UTCOnce you pick it up, this tune like most good solid dance tunes is about the rhythm, tje different ways you can put out the rhythm really strong and faster and keeping the rhythm, with variations, the more thrilling it can be. You have to imagine dancers feet and this song, and the kind of dance where someone might just be playng one banjo and maybe folks dancing on it as long as you can pick it
Tony Thomas
2018-08-03 18:18:17 +0000 UTCGreat video! I think there's something magic about gourds. History too. Thanks.
john bowden
2018-08-01 23:42:50 +0000 UTCFair enough! It's certainly not "easy" to play this thing.
Clifton Hicks
2018-08-01 20:35:16 +0000 UTCI’m pretty sure Clifton could string up dental floss on a box of tissues and it would sound good. Well anyway this sounds great as well. Good job
Sean Gares
2018-08-01 20:23:07 +0000 UTCLaurents Dubois' 2015 book 'The Banjo: America’s African Instrument' actually has a lot of information in it about the early Afro-caribbean banjo ancestors and the types of people who played them. If I recall correctly, his research surprised me in that he found evidence for the proto-banjo or "banza" &c. being a formal instrument used by professional African musicians who were part of something approaching a religious order. He has several examples of slaves whose sole occupation seems to have been singing and playing music--these musicians, mostly men, were religious figures in the Afro-caribbean enslaved communities and were rapidly appropriated as entertainment for their white masters.
Clifton Hicks
2018-08-01 19:24:04 +0000 UTCThat is flat out sweet! Great job!When you mentioned the akonting I thought of this article I read relatively recently. Not sure if you or anyone else has seen this or not. I thought it was interesting because as American banjo players, we are often studying the roots of the banjo to Africa. This is kind of reverse. <a href="https://www.npr.org/2011/08/23/139880625/the-banjos-roots-reconsidered" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.npr.org/2011/08/23/139880625/the-banjos-roots-reconsidered</a>
Mike Rebitzke
2018-08-01 18:58:14 +0000 UTC👏👏👏 Bravo.
Baltram Wiesel
2018-08-01 18:52:54 +0000 UTCI still have one or two usable gourds from last year. This year's garden only has one or two growing.
Clifton Hicks
2018-08-01 18:39:13 +0000 UTCI like the plucky tone of it. It wouldn't look out of place within a tribal encampment! Are you still growing gourds?
Bobby Banks
2018-08-01 18:26:51 +0000 UTC
