August 30, 2007
Status of the Banjo, 2007
(Annual Report)
In many ways the history of the
banjo has paralleled the history of the guitar. Both
have been much maligned. The banjo is about 100 years
behind the guitar in its rise to greater popularity
and general acceptance.
Though interest and participation
in the banjo is increasing in all playing styles there
is still a stigma about it, best illustrated by Steve
Martin's comments on the David Letterman Show back
in April (and rerun recently). It went something
like this:
LETTERMAN: Do you play any instruments
besides the banjo?
STEVE MARTIN: No. But let me ask
you this: If Yo-yo Ma were sitting here, would you
ask him "Do you play any instruments besides
the cello?"
The banjo, after all these years,
suffers from some negative stereotypes which have
no justification once
those opinions are confronted with the true facts
about the instrument. Such an important part of our
culture, invented in America, and a much more multifaceted,
interesting instrument than the guitar.
In a nutshell, the banjo has not
yet gained the universal acceptance it rightly deserves.
However, I believe it is very, very close to gaining
respect as a great instrument for jazz, pop music
of all kinds, and particularly classical music. Its
development in the other seven genres (see those categories
on "Hear
It", About the Music) continues through the
individuality and ingenuity of many, many players.
I'm encouraged that all historical
manifestations of the banjo are alive and well today,
and that the research and development continues.
It's up to all of us to spread
the word: those us who are very dedicated to playing
and those who
love the instrument and its greatly varied music.
Promote the banjo any way we can.
- For those who play, play
a lot, expand your repertoire and develop your original
music and adaptations.
- Encourage people to listen
to it in all its great variety. That's easily done
by encouraging people to log on to TheBanjoMan.com,
either clicking on the radio icon of the home page
or by navigating to the Hear It page. We need more
audience!
- Support artists and bands
by buying their CD's, attending their performances,
learning from them by buying the products they have
available to teach you, and attending their workshops,
banjo and music camps. Many players offer private
lessons, too.
- Encourage people to play
the banjo.
My hope is that more will
take up the instrument, experiencing the joys and
benefits of learning and playing music.
Your comments, suggestions, and
indication of your willingness to come on board with
us will be greatly appreciated. Send your contributions
to me at: pete@thebanjoman.com
––Peter
W. Pardee
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