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Uncovering the History of the Banjo with Rhiannon Giddens: From African Roots to American Music

273K views · Mar 23, 2023 · Education

The Great Courses

662K subscribers

Comments · 484

@andrewhammel8218 · 3 years ago
On NPR I heard an African guy talking about how he went to college in the US in the Seventies and was hanging with White friends while watching Hee Haw and he saw Roy Clark playing the banjo and how he exclaimed "my uncle in the backwoods of Senegal plays that instrument!". His American friends thought he was nuts. But it turns out that in the villages of Senegal they do play a traditional instrument nearly identical to the banjo...and play it claw hammer style.
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@MacKenny · 2 years ago
I was privileged to be the Director of Photography for this series with the very awesome Rhiannon Giddens.
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@JRiffle_HeaveHoStudio · 3 years ago
Rhiannon Giddens is a national treasure. Love her music!
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@movievaudeville · 2 years ago
My great grandmother played the banjo (and violin, piano, pump organ) in western Kentucky in the late 1800s. I keep a photo of her and her banjo. She was no "hick", either. She was very classy, was a renowned hat-maker and seamstress. Her history led me to become a musician, and to study the history of the banjo and other instruments. So glad this history is getting spread.
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@44thala49 · 3 years ago
This lady’s talent is astounding. I listen to her every time I come across her and I’ve never been disappointed.
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@bwanna23 · 3 years ago
I grew up in urban America and always loved the sound of the banjo. Whenever I mentioned how much I liked the banjo, my cosmopolitan friends and family thought I was nuts. There's something about the sound of the banjo that is very uplifting and free.
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@sharpekathryn · 2 years ago
I was fortunate to take a history of African American music class in 1970 at the University of Washington in Seattle and learned there about the African roots of the banjo, starting with the gourd banjo. Class was taught by Professor Robert Garfias. Early blues and jazz covered too.
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@rrichardson652 · 2 years ago
Ms. Giddens makes the world a much better place. Thk u!
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@thecowboypreacher6568 · 2 years ago (edited)
As an African American man , I’ve always appreciated country/blues/ folk music. It tells the stories of the people. The first time I heard a gourd banjo in my mid twenties I nearly cried. Everything she says about the spiritual power of the instrument rings so true. I’ve fallen in love with the instrument and learning it adds so much value to my life.  It’s the closest I can get to understanding where i and my ancestors came from
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@zekerael5221 · 3 years ago
I visited a museum in Tennessee and they have a small historical history of the banjo  on display were several handmade banjos from Africa.  So it truly is an African genesis
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@vanessahall5282 · 3 years ago
I tell you what, I really like Rhiannon Giddens! Awesome musician, singer, and dives right into history also! 🎶❤️🎶
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@PureNRG2 · 3 years ago
This was an “oh what the hell” click to listen to for sure. Glad I did. Fascinating look at the history of an instrument we take so for granted.
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