Browse Encyclopaedia by Subject
Abbreviations
Actors
Aircraft
Architecture
Computer Viruses
Costume
Dictionary
Food & Drink
Gazetteer
General Information
Heraldry
Language
Latin
Medicine
Money
Movies
Music
Mythology
Nature
People
Recreation
Rocks & Minerals
SciTech
Shakespeare
Ships
Slang
Warfare

Free Photographs

Antiquarian Map Archive

The Probert Encyclopaedia of Music

BANJO

Picture of Banjo

The banjo is a stringed musical instrument. It is an American development of African origins related to the Kora etc., but with a guitar type neck. Found with 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 or more strings, popular types are the 5 string, Tenor (4 string), Plectrum (long neck 4 string), Banjolele (Ukulele Banjo), Banjolin (Mandolin Banjo).

The banjo evolved among the negro slaves of North America and was originally a six-stringed instrument with a body like a tambourine and a neck like a guitar. The banjo is played by stopping the strings with the fingers of the left hand and twitching or striking them with the fingers of the right. The upper or octave string, however, is never stopped.
Research Banjo

 
Your host - Matt Probert

The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by Matt and Leela Probert

©1993 - 2009 The Probert Encyclopaedia

Southampton, United Kingdom

 
Home  Publishers  Quiz  Products  Photos  FAQ  Privacy Policy  Add URL Contact  Site Map