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.

@mikegreen8938

4 ай бұрын

Not shocking that they were that ignorant.

@orbitmouf

4 ай бұрын

Fr.

@Facts-Over-Feelings

4 ай бұрын

MUSIC IS THE EXAMPLE OF WHAT HAPPENED TO EGYPT.. ALL STOLEN FROM BLACK PEOPLE THEN REBRANDED AS THE EUROPEAN..

@InspiredByEbonyLove

4 ай бұрын

Mali as well.

@CarriUSA

3 ай бұрын

The first string instrument was dated back to Ancient Mesopotamia. The first 6 string was created in Spain. There’s been many different versions of string instruments throughout the world.

I was privileged to be the Director of Photography for this series with the very awesome Rhiannon Giddens.

@PalmettoNDN

Ай бұрын

Good work!

@stiggsgirl

2 күн бұрын

This is AWESOME! 💜

Rhiannon Giddens is a national treasure. Love her music!

This lady’s talent is astounding. I listen to her every time I come across her and I’ve never been disappointed.

Despite Brazil received same people than USA, we haven't a tradition of african stringed melodic instruments: heat and moisture destroy them fastly. However we have documentation about their use by africans arrived here and we are recovering this tradition with modern materials to build them and contact with african derivative culture worldwide.

@cappriment

4 ай бұрын

Continue to do your research and preserve The African history in Brazil!

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.

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.

I tell you what, I really like Rhiannon Giddens! Awesome musician, singer, and dives right into history also! 🎶❤️🎶

@jimnutter6901

9 ай бұрын

A few years ago Rhiannon played the Festival in the Grass in Australia. I was hangin’ to hear her and my son got busted on the way in. Sadly, I missed her. So disappointed .🌹j.

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.

I loved this, and I never knew that the banjo had this amazing history! I'm Scottish and fascinated with the history with bagpipes, this is fascinating & really, really sad due to the Slavery aspect but what a wonderful gift they gave us! Rhiannon, I love your voice & music! Thank you sooooo much for keeping this alive, it means so much!!

Ms. Giddens makes the world a much better place. Thk u!

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.

Rhiannon; I was pleasantly surprised to see my reproduction of the painting that you showed at 4:30 min in your presentation: African Banjo Echoes in Appalachia: A Study of Folk Traditions. I have a banjo, mostly because my sister. Before she passed away she wanted to play the banjo. So I learned a few chords and showed her how to play. Then, while she played banjo, I played my guitar, and we sang Credence Clearwater Revival songs. Joyful memories. I'm so glad I found you, and will seek out more of what you put on the internet. Peace to you sister from another mister.

I live in Ireland and only discovered Rhiannon Giddens recently. She has opened the doors to me to a whole new mind-blowing Talent. I am eager to immerse myself! Thankyou Rhiannon for this immense and profound gift ❤❤❤❤

@user-ky6vw5up9m

2 ай бұрын

You know Rhiannon has a home in Ireland.

Really love this woman. Such a wonderful, sharp musician and human being.

Rhiannon, you are truly an American and Musical treasure! Thank you for this wonderful history, as well as an insight into your own movement into the music of the banjo. If I were one to have a "bucket list", meeting you would be one of the top entries!

Beautiful presentation, thank you! ❤️ I found out about the African roots of the banjo early in my life, when I was 10 years old, in Prague, at Pete Seeger’s concert there. By the time I was 17, excellent bluegrass bands had already popped up all around Czechoslovakia and played regularly on the Czech radio. Many banjoists had first learned “How to play the 5-string banjo” from 5 copies of the instruction book Pete had left behind (and their copies, and more copies of those copies).😅 By the time I was 25, hundreds of bluegrass and American folk music bands existed there and participated in huge festivals of this genre. We even had a “black” spiritual band called Spiritual Kvintet. The musicians were of course Czech nationals. 😁 Those were the days, my friend(s)…

When your video ended, I thought something had gone wrong with my tablet as I couldn't believe 21 minutes had passed, I was so involved with your production.

You! Started me on my path to claw-hammer. I knew the history but you! Helped me become sober and a real man. Ty!

When I think of the banjo, I think of my dear friend Earl who was a world class "banger" player. RIP brother Earl.

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

Somewhere, Pete Seeger sits, smiling down upon this woman’s every word and performance.

She is super talented. Got to meet her at Graves Mountain (in Virginia) and she was so gracious as well❤

Thank you Rhiannon, on St. Thomas, USVI, we were given a Kora. A late, dear friend named Jamesie Brewster, had a Scratch band and made his own banjos from cheese tins. My husband was a producer of a documentary about Mr. Brewster's band. At the invitation of the Queen of Denmark the band performed there and held workshops.

Having a mentor in life as Joe Thompson was to you is one of the greatest blessing in life.

I am 70 years old now. I thought of banjo the same as she said in the beginning. I will never hear it that way again. I want to thank my baby sisters for loving your music first, and bombing with your music links

Just think; she plays the banjo on "Texas Hold 'Em" and people are going crazy.

Thank you Rhiannon for such a wonderful doco. My banjo is an old, put together one but I swear it has a spirit all of it's own.

All my life my grandmother loved watching listening and dancing to live country/ blue grass. It gave her so much joy! Now I understand why. Thank you

When PBS debuted Ken Burns' "Country Music" abt 5 yrs ago, it was kicked off with a concert that was broadcast. The opener was Rhiannon on banjo and a bluegrass/roots music fiddler (I think it was Ketch Secor); they did an absolutely riveting, BLAZING song ("Ruby"?) that kind of left me with goosebumps and my mouth hanging open. I wish like hell I could see/hear that performance again. It was really amazing. And yes, being that Ken Burns and his colleagues always do their homework, the series did include African American influence and contributions to bluegrass and country music. There's definitely more than most of us realize!

I discovered Ms. Giddens when she recorded "Freedom Highway" which left me speechless. I have been a fan since. She comes across as such a humble person unlike other people with 1/3 of her talent. I appreciate how she gives us the background and history of the music. She is a treasure. 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏

I love this. Beautiful person telling an emotional story with music. Not hating on anybody. The string that runs through the narrative is love and humanity. ♥

Thanks Rhiannon for this excellent summary of important cultural information. Great to see Greg there as well.

Miss Giddens you have the most beautiful and eligent hand I could watch you play for hours your hands are amazing. You music is a treasure and your exploration of music helps me grow! But wow those finger out shin your smile which is great.

That's very interesting that you associated banjo with white folk in your youth. When I was young (way before you) the banjo was more tagged with black folk. Later on hearing Taj Mahal's De Ole Folks at Home cemented my love of early folk music. I listened to other folk recordings but he really exemplified the simple repetitive rhythms for me which I played along with on my National steel. Your journey exploring the origins of the instrument and sounds is fascinating and most appreciated. Great to see and hear young folk embracing the wonderful sound of roots folk.

Thanks for this. As a claw hammer player it makes me more deeply appreciate my love of old time music.

Rhiannon, your work is always brilliant. Your communication both academically and musically, and as a story teller... well, let's just say, I share it with friends whenever I can!

Another brilliant musician and African American historian is Jake Blount

Rhiannon Giddens is a badass Banjo/fiddle player and singer also 🥰

Rhiannon is not just a talented and gifted musician, singer and song writer but a teacher of historical roots regarding ancient appalachian music in America, she brings that history to live through this music, every American, especially African Americans need to learn from this amazing cultured woman, the minute she said she felt connected with the banjo without her having the knowledge she has now about it, it was no coincidence at the time that it was her ancient african deceased ancestors transmitting that spiritual connection to her, she is definitely a chosen pioneer by her african ancestors to convey their ancient soul in a modern inspiration of the american bluegrass banjo, this is why her talent is at another level, the gifted essence of her soul is majestically haunting through the ghostly guidance of her ancestors, you can feel it

What a musical and literary contribution you are making to the masses for all posterity. Thank you.

Wish this was longer. Hope she further chronicles her journey.

Simply wonderful, Rhiannon. White boy here, grew up in the fifties, my father played the banjo, although not in overalls. I became a musician and instrumentmaker, mostly medieval and polyrhthmic stuff. I knew some of the history of the banjo, but nothing compared to the detail you have researched. Thanks so much. Lunch is on me if you're ever in town. Cheers from sunny Vienna, Scott

Fascinating, I want to learn more about this.

Once I started learning how to play the banjo, I quickly learned its True roots. Prior to that…. During the time I was only contemplating learning, I thought those initial thoughts you described. Thank you for being ❤

In a few of Kipling's short stories about the English Colonials in India the banjo is mentioned, mainly as an instrument that someone would play for relaxation or recreation. I've also read a couple of stories set in Great Britain that mention the banjo. And of course Ms. Giddons mentions the Irish banjo. I think the history of the banjo among the English, not just the Americans could add another dimension to its history.

Rhiannon Giddens also plays the “gourd banjo”. Marvelous sound.

The bango is an important element of the "string bands" found in several Caribbean islands such as St. Kitts and Nevis

I think the algorithm sent this to me because I listened to her sing "american tune" with paul Simon. One of the best things it has done for me. This is amazing

Wow. What a nuanced presentation. So many people have an agenda when discussing history; none of that here. So refreshing!

Adam Hurt plays a gourd banjo wonderfully on 'Earthtones' .

I've listened to Old Time for over 50 years and love the Claw Hammer Banjo style.

Beutiful music, beutiful instruments, Incredible Musician and a fine education on the importance of early Black music in America today.

I wish the Carolina Chocolate Drops were still together. I saw them x4 and love their take on old time music. Miss that band!!!

There are few things as inspirational as seeing someone claim their heritage.

I started listening to this video, before I clicked on it to watch it. Awesome to hear that history! Thank you for posting.

Please do more of these. I found this video extremally interesting, but I feel that you just scratched the surface. I would love to hear more history of each type of banjo. I really like your style and the way you present the topic. Again, please do more.

My 1962 Pete Seeger "How to Play the 5-String Banjo" booklet is still pretty good at telling the African origin of the instrument in a dozen paragraphs, but it's wonderful that so much research has been done since, including whole "black banjo" revival the Rhiannon explains so beautifully. "The piece that has been hidden" for Pete and my 1960s "folksong revival" generation was not the banjo's African origin, but critique of the appropriation of the instrument as central to the bizarre 19th century "minstrel show" entertainments -- in which white people pretended to be black so that they *could* play the banjo in public. With its legacy of cartoonish, hateful, defamatory and (at best) sentimental-patronizing portrayals of black folks, I wonder whether the minstrel show was talked about much in Pete's 1950s and '60s progressive circles, while pop-culture historians and ethnomusicologists were starting to dig into the musical past. "Blacking up : the minstrel show in nineteenth century America" (1974) was the first thing I read about the subject, I really should read Pete's autobiography sometime to see if that side of banjo history was something he simply chose not to talk about.

❤ love her music, lyrics and style, beautiful! Saw her on local news on CBS Saturday morning

My lady,music is our universal language and bonds folks of all walks of life. I didnt even consider black or white until it was pointed out . Love and respect sister . Much of my ojibou heritage was enslaved and murdered as were many of my irish ancestors. I believe music is a common language that may be one of our chances to unite mankind . Really appreciate your in depth research and wish ya'll well .

Fascinating and well-articulated presentation. Over the years, you have checked off so many pleasure boxes in my mind. Beautiful. Talented player. Wonderful voice. Obvious passion for music and history. Thank you for so much entertainment and knowledge. Again.

That's a beautiful history of the banjo.

R.G THE. Most well spoken musician I've ever heard lectured on musical instruments , she sounded like a professor. Given lecture at at a University. A true gifted talent.

Plain and simple… I love Rhiannon Giddens!

Brilliant, fiercely honest, fearless. And beautiful.

Rhiannon Giddens is an amazing musician!

I'd heard bits and pieces of this elsewhere but love how you've brought together such a comprehensive and thoughtful history.

I've been a fan of Rhiannon Giddens since her Carolina Chocolate Drops days (I'll willingly follow her anywhere she wants to go musically). This was WAY too short!

It's so great that you went on that road of discovery!

Thank you for delivering the truth

A topic i had no idea I wanted to know about

Excellent job Miss Rhiannon Giddens, I have known a lot of what you shared for decades and you have filled a bunch a holes and I do appreciate that !!!!!!!!!1

In my early twenties I would go research at libraries and I checked out a African music vhs and showed varieties of styles and instruments. They have gourd type string instruments. I’ve heard a name called “banjar”. I’m Mexican and fell in love with banjo (among other world folk instruments) and now play Irish folk. But would love to learn more

I Had A Feeling It Came from Africa and I Had A Feeling Square Dancing Did too. ✌️ and ❤️ The Elephant In ALL ROOMS. Makes Me Understand Why "The Night The Devil Came To Georgia" To Me Always Sounded.....FUNKY. ✌️ and ❤️

This has been a wonderful history you have provided. The story told is so lovely, musically, and personally. So many bits and pieces I picked up over the years you have shed light on and created a tapestry. Your recordings which I listen to so often is a part of this film to, for me. Your storytelling and your music are soothing and wonderful. Thank you, sy,

You did a great job on this. I love learning about history and more about stuff I already learned. I first learned about this about 10 years ago from a PBS on a show called History Detectives.

How fun! Your story led me to see if there was "banjo" in my cultural past....1760 account of two brothers learning to play and dance from slaves they knew. Quite an amusing account. The boys enjoyed themselves enough that the account records they wanted to have their own banjos. Fascinating. Keeping alive the memory of African Conqurors enslaving and selling them to others who transport them to the Caribbean and later the Colonies.

Love it!! Love that she brought this info forward for more people to hear about the truth of this wonderful music!

So illuminating, thanks for sharing...as a clawhammer player I find your playing so inspiring...love the sound of that gourd banjo!

@TheGreatCourses

10 ай бұрын

Thanks for listening!

The earliest instruments in which banjos are derived from sounds and looks very different from the banjos we know today and come with features that the older instruments didn't have, this is enough to convince me that the banjo is indeed a quintessentially American instrument although with roots stretching all the way to Africa.

@Facts-Over-Feelings

4 ай бұрын

BLACK PEOPLE MADE THE BANJO AND MANY MANY THINGS.. THEY WERE JUST ROBBED AND WRITTEN OUT OF THE HISTORY BY RACIST EUROPEANS SO CALLED AMERICANS

Rhiannon is an amazing musician and, thankfully, a wonderful teacher as well. This is an excellent video.

wow, this was fascinating to watch. I loved every second of it, and the snippets of music were wonderful.

This is really lovely. So glad to have been introduced to the banjo's history via this gem of a person.

@TheGreatCourses

10 ай бұрын

We are glad you enjoyed this video, Francy. Thank you for learning with us. ❤️

First time I heard of this lady. Not only she knows how to play the instrument, but she also knows its history.

1:15 contra dancing! And yah, it's pretty much exactly how she described it 😅

So much good info, will have to watch it again. Thank you for creating this.

Beautiful story told passionately

Old Time has such an alluring rythym that gets into your heart and body

I just love this. Great job!! My heart is full

Love this, can't wait to share it with my students!

What an amazing documentary! This lady has so many talents.

This is very good and articulate acount of how this beautiful instrument came to be through all the diffrent cultures of music. Very fascinating . Thankyou

Thank you, Rhiannon for this education. I never knew this either...

Thanks this history brought a tear to my eye! Fascinating that some beautiful things come out of the worst days in history! I really enjoyed this!

What’s better in oatmeal than raisins?! Cinnamon and brown sugar is nice as well. Gotta have it all! Apple slices are good too!

R. Giddens is truly a gift to our culture and her width of contributions is staggering. Her popularization of the African influence on the modern banjo is undeniable. Doing casual online research on the banjo yielded several points. There is no American style banjo in Africa. Interestingly. The modern style Irish banjo introduced appropriately a century ago may be one cultural development from America to Ireland where they modified it to their own traditions. The concept of string instruments linked to a resonant sound cavity seems a universal many millenia practice. Perhaps the gourd with long wood neck and string style of West Africa seems to be the origin along with the claw hammer technique. The evolution of the American banjo appears to be complicated and involved many cultural innovations The traditional string instruments of Africa are unique and quite complicated. Due to the efforts of many authors and musician/historians a more complex picture has emerged which has allowed the welcomed wide popularization of gourd bodied banjo music. The history, tragedies and renewal of the music is wondrous.

Raisin in the oatmeal. Clever 😂

Very interesting. In history, you sometimes see these developments of musical instruments in the context of separate peoples having contact with one another, sometimes in positive, and sometimes in negative, situations. The gourd banjo led to the modern banjo because Africa and America had contact. This reminds me of how the rhaita (also called mizmar or zurna) from the Middle East and North Africa got to Europe during the Middle Ages, where it was called the shawm and later developed into the oboe.

Fascinating history on the banjo 🪕 I learned something new along the way.

Interesting history, great lesson… glad I found this‼️