banjo

Sound recording of a 1926 Vega Tenor Banjo plucked between the bridge and saddle in 16 bit WAV format on a Zoom H6. This four stringed instrument is made of wood, hide, and metal hardware. The saddle is the metal base for the ends of each string to rest in and the bridge is a wooden piece that strings vibrate upon between the saddle where the opposite end of each string wraps around a tuning peg. The instrument is generally played in Dixieland Jazz and Irish Jigs. This sound recording is included because I often pluck this section of the banjo in between songs. It reminds me of a plunky wind chime.

Short clip of a "bright" sounding banjo being played, where "bright" is a qualitative descriptor used in audio engineering and music production.

Short clip of a "tinny" sounding banjo being played, where "tinny" is a qualitative descriptor used in audio engineering and music production.

Short clip of a "thin" sounding banjo being played, where "thin" is a qualitative descriptor used in audio engineering and music production.

A banjo solo by Earl Scruggs in his song, Foggy Mountain Breakdown which was first recorded in 1949. The distinctive, three-fingered picking style is created using thumb, fore, and middle fingers. This style revolutionized string band music and became the iconic sound of bluegrass.

A clip from Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Rambler's Sweet Sunny South (1929) exemplifying the unique blend of banjo, guitar, and fiddle in an old time string band.