Banjo Question

[Manassas 1861]

I've been thinking of buying a reproduction banjo for my reenacting events. How common were banjos during the war? I've seen many photos, but were they really that common?

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

Banjo - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

"The banjo's popularity also was given a boost by the Civil War, as servicemen on both sides in the Army or Navy were exposed to the banjo played in minstrel shows and by other servicemen. A popular movement of aspiring banjoists began as early as 1861."

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

Commonness of banjos in the field - Authentic Campaigner

Discussions of Lyrics, Musical Instruments, Popular Songs and Other Topics, Relating to the Civil War.

www.authentic-campaigner.com

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

American Banjo Museum | Civil War Potpourri

I don't think of myself as a banjo fan. (Well, okay, I like "Dueling Banjos" -- but who doesn't?) My favorite "banjo player" is Sufjan Stevens, who isn't even really a banjoist and whose playing is unglamorous, if not downright primitive. And yet... even I was delighted by what has to be...

civilwartalk.com

 

[Pollaco]

Leroy Troy, the banjo player with Marty Stuart, used to reenact as a banjo playing musician. So you definitely wouldn't be the first.

 

[Pollaco]

I would be guessing but I would say that the banjo was far more evident in the South. Afterall it was supposedly brought over from Africa by the slaves like watermelons and okra. But that is not to say they weren't in existence "up North" as well.

 

[Manassas 1861]

I would be guessing but I would say that the banjo was far more evident in the South. Afterall it was supposedly brought over from Africa by the slaves like watermelons and okra. But that is not to say they weren't in existence "up North" as well.

They originated in western Africa. They were made out of gourds. Slaves from Africa found similar gourds in the south, so they made the banjo. Then Joe Sweeney made it popular.

 

[Pollaco]

Do you actually play or would this just be a prop?

 

[SethJ]

I met a Federal Private who played the banjo at a reenactment I attended. He also did puppets. Parents seemed to love him because he kept children entertained.

 

[Manassas 1861]

Do you actually play or would this just be a prop?

I don't have one yet, I wanna play

 

[John Winn]

I don't have one yet, I wanna play

A few things to think about:

the banjos played in the 1860s would have been fretless and only had four strings;
banjos weren't picked then as they are now but strummed in what now is known as claw-hammer style;
bluegrass hadn't been invented and people played popular tunes and even gospel music.

So, if your goal is to do a CW impression you'll need to do as above. Otherwise, then you can decide if you want to play bluegrass style or perhaps early jazz styles (e.g. New Orleans) or old-timey claw-hammer as that, too, will determine what kind of banjo you get and how you approach playing it.

Good luck. Music enriches one's life.

 

[JackADriscoll]

Banjos are great. With a little patience you can find a nice one at a pawn shop for cheap

 

[Pollaco]

Banjos are great. With a little patience you can find a nice one at a pawn shop for cheap

And if it's a prop it really don't have to be in great working order. In other words cheap.And watch a tape or video of Grandpa Jones. He was one of the best in the "claw hammer" style of Banjo playing.

 

[Bentonville]

Check out Carver. Super rad guy, friendly and they got minstrel banjo kits. And considering banjos availability to people in the war, being as things were, this might be your best bet.

Another Thing is no frets. No guy I'm the field would have the kind of time of facilities to set frets into the neck.

I'm getting kit from him month after next.

And he's right, brackets are for wimps.

 

[Rebforever]

The five string banjo is the only musical instrument discovered in America.
It was developed in 1831.

 

[Manassas 1861]

A few things to think about:

the banjos played in the 1860s would have been fretless and only had four strings;
banjos weren't picked then as they are now but strummed in what now is known as claw-hammer style;
bluegrass hadn't been invented and people played popular tunes and even gospel music.

So, if your goal is to do a CW impression you'll need to do as above. Otherwise, then you can decide if you want to play bluegrass style or perhaps early jazz styles (e.g. New Orleans) or old-timey claw-hammer as that, too, will determine what kind of banjo you get and how you approach playing it.

Good luck. Music enriches one's life.

Ok, I met a reenactor and he told me of a place I can get a minstrel style banjo from. 5 string, fretless, and gum strings. So I might have to get a job soon, $699 bucks is not cheap. But he might give me free lessons.

 

[John Winn]

Ok, I met a reenactor and he told me of a place I can get a minstrel style banjo from. 5 string, fretless, and gum strings. So I might have to get a job soon, $699 bucks is not cheap. But he might give me free lessons.

That sounds pretty good to me. Fretless is a challenge but, on the other hand, you can get some interesting sounds you can't get on a fretted instrument (i.e. quarter and half tones and slides).

Let us know how things turn out for you.

 

[Manassas 1861]

Would a banjo have been carried while on the march? I think if it had a strap, than it could be worn other the shoulder like a bedroll.