Bill Evans Tells the History of the Banjo in 14 Minutes

Comments · 363

• AI

  @AidanHegarty97 · 5 years ago

  first time i watched this i thought it was Bill Evans the pianist talking about banjos, i was shocked. lol

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• TO

  @tonyamcrae9775 · 5 years ago

  "oh, I have a gentleman caller! I will greet him with my banjo in the parlor."

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• JI

  @jimatleson470 · 7 years ago

  Bill does a fine job, as always, on the banjo's history.  As some of the comments mention, however, there's various playing styles and types of banjos left out.  Most egregious to me, biased as I am, is the leap from classic style to bluegrass which omits the preceding and enduring Appalachian clawhammer and two and three-finger styles which are very popular around the country.  Bluegrassers, for some reason, tend to slight old time music despite it's popularity and, as instrument stores report, open back banjos outsell bluegrass ones.

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• ER

  @erstwhilerambler · 7 years ago

  “The underlying passion and carnality of the banjo” 😂

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• SH

  @sheetmusic5949 · 5 years ago

  that akonting sounds so soulful and stirring

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• BU

  @budm.1450 · 9 years ago

  I&apos;ve been pickin the banjo (bluegrass) for more than 35 years now and I have to tell you, I just love your analogy, or &quot;definition&quot; of the banjo. &nbsp;A drum on a stick. &nbsp;Pretty much made my day.<br><br>Thank you.

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• NO

  @Noisy_Cricket · 7 years ago

  I absolutely love the sound produced by the last banjo. It&apos;s incredibly calming.

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• JA

  @JanetBeth13 · 13 years ago

  Exciting history, Bill. &nbsp;I admire your dedication and enjoy your music, as always.

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• JE

  @jerrywinters6914 · 4 years ago

  My understanding is that Joel Walker Sweeney (1810-1860) was the musician who redesigned the African instrument into the modern 5-string banjo that is known today. Although slaves had apparently already added the fifth string, it was Sweeney who popularized the new form on the minstrel circuit. He toured with his two brothers Sam and Dick in the minstrel shows from 1831-to his death in 1860. During the Civil war Sam Sweeney served as Major General J.E.B Stuart&apos;s personal banjo picker until Sweeney&apos;s death in the winter of 1863/1864.

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• EA

  @Eagle-zl4gz · 6 years ago

  That 1930 sounds so good my favorite

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• PO

  @poisonhemlock · 4 years ago

  That classical banjo piece knocked me on the floor, that was amazing! 😲

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• WI

  @williamlane6124 · 11 years ago

  Bill Evans is great. You can tell every ounce of joy he pours into his playing. A true banjo player.

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