Bill Evans Tells the History of the Banjo in 14 Minutes

Though the banjo is best-known today as a bluegrass instrument, its history runs deep. In this video, musician and educator Bill Evans gives us a crash course on 250 years of banjo evolution and playing styles in just under 15 minutes. He starts with the African akonting and moves through the minstral era, bluegrass music and ends with a well-loved pop tune played on his Allan Beardsell-built electric banjo.
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[@AidanHegarty97]

first time i watched this i thought it was Bill Evans the pianist talking about banjos, i was shocked. lol

[@lucaguglielmin6844]

Same hahah

[@oldtimetinfoilhatwearer]

If i had a nickel for every virtuoso musician named Bill Evans, I'd have two nickels, which isn't a lot but it's weird that it happened twice

[@arnowillekes7979]

How many Bill Evans are there worldwide? 😂

[@nickbarrow2805]

@@oldtimetinfoilhatwearerThere’s also at least one saxophonist named Bill Evans

[@tonyamcrae9775]

"oh, I have a gentleman caller! I will greet him with my banjo in the parlor."

[@jimatleson470]

Bill does a fine job, as always, on the banjo's history. As some of the comments mention, however, there's various playing styles and types of banjos left out. Most egregious to me, biased as I am, is the leap from classic style to bluegrass which omits the preceding and enduring Appalachian clawhammer and two and three-finger styles which are very popular around the country. Bluegrassers, for some reason, tend to slight old time music despite it's popularity and, as instrument stores report, open back banjos outsell bluegrass ones.

[@Tasmanaut]

to be fair, the are generally cheaper

[@townhell]

Also skipped over a little thing called jazz. Maybe because in those days they snubbed his beloved short string!

[@tenbroeck1958]

This is an awesome education for ignorant people, who don't know the cultural history. I think knowing and celebrating the original Africans, Scottish, Scots-Irish, English, etc. people who brought these elements of what evolved into Folk, Blues, Bluegrass, Country, Rock music is important to understanding America.

[@Noisy_Cricket]

I absolutely love the sound produced by the last banjo. It's incredibly calming.

[@guscannon5949]

that akonting sounds so soulful and stirring

[@budm.1450]

I've been pickin the banjo (bluegrass) for more than 35 years now and I have to tell you, I just love your analogy, or "definition" of the banjo. A drum on a stick. Pretty much made my day. Thank you.

[@user-sq2yo4jf2l]

Yea

[@taxidrivercarl6074]

Been watching a lot of banjo videos while I wait for my first to arrive. One thing I've seen in common with them all is the quiet joy on the player's face when they play

[@jerrywinters6914]

My understanding is that Joel Walker Sweeney (1810-1860) was the musician who redesigned the African instrument into the modern 5-string banjo that is known today. Although slaves had apparently already added the fifth string, it was Sweeney who popularized the new form on the minstrel circuit. He toured with his two brothers Sam and Dick in the minstrel shows from 1831-to his death in 1860. During the Civil war Sam Sweeney served as Major General J.E.B Stuart's personal banjo picker until Sweeney's death in the winter of 1863/1864.

[@williamlane6124]

Bill Evans is great. You can tell every ounce of joy he pours into his playing. A true banjo player.

[@samuelmontgomery6827]

The last song was "You've got to Hide your love away" by The Beatles.

[@dolam]

Thank you very much! I could not figure it out. At first I thought it was "Yesterday", then I picked up hints of "Norwegian Wood." I am glad to know I at least had the band right.

[@poisonhemlock]

That classical banjo piece knocked me on the floor, that was amazing! 😲

[@JanetBeth13]

Exciting history, Bill. I admire your dedication and enjoy your music, as always.

[@erstwhilerambler]

“The underlying passion and carnality of the banjo” 😂

[@nicandknacksandseans]

Hey if you've never wanted to fuck to the sweet sweet sound of metal picks on metal strings amplified by a trashcan with dead horse skin stretched across it, then clearly you haven't been playing it right!

[@nicandknacksandseans]

the idea of it being gut strings really changes nothing

[@LostSourdough]

@@nicandknacksandseans that is possibly the greatest description of playing the banjo I have ever heard

[@KeizerHedorah]

lol

[@bleikrsound6127]

Playing Renaissance and Lute music also sounds very natural on a resonator instrument such as the banjo.

[@Quamela]

Shocker..now I want an electric banjo. Tony Rice is gonna freak out on my desired instrument gatherings once again.

[@babaaladeolamina4810]

Thanks Evans, for a very nice lecture on Banjo,and some great playing too.

[@jeanlucriker]

It was Porter Wagoner & the Wagonmasters. He (Buck) played the Electric Banjo on the song"Daddy was an Old time Preacher man" that Porter sang with Dolly Parton.

[@Crucio_Occidere]

The banjo is a stringed instrument with a thin membrane stretched over a frame or cavity to form a resonator. The membrane is typically circular, and usually made of plastic, or occasionally animal skin. Early forms of the instrument were fashioned by African-Americans in the United States, adapted from African instruments of similar design.

[@maxwellfan55]

Bill, a fascinating summery of the instruments we love and the beautiful sounds they make. Thank you. An education for us all. God bless.

[@robertwilke7692]

Thank you, Bill. That was really interesting. And it also cleared up a couple misconceptions I had.

[@MrMaxamillion213]

A delightful, brief overview of the banjo’s evolution through history! Thank you :)

[@alpounsett4752]

Kind of missed out on the tenor and plectrum banjos. Both very popular in the jazz era.

[@johnrowan7288]

They were the main minstrel banjo. And still played prominently in the Philadelphia mummers parade. The string bands are almost exclusively tenor banjos.

[@thewildfolk6849]

Agreed, get on those for another video! That's what I was waiting for

[@onlyrick]

Right, Al - particularly in Dixieland. A very different technique using a flatpick. There is also an Irish tradition on the tenor banjo.

[@dogfoot46]

And don't forget Eddie Peabody. He also had an electric banjo he called a banjorine. Here in Texas, Smokey Montgomery with The Light Crust Doughboys was a very famous tenor banjo player!

[@davestambaugh7282]

@@onlyrick In Ireland when all the guys that were playing in jazz bands started leaving them to there families they ended up on the market and were taken up by the trad players. In the US they have all been gathered up and had necks swapped out to convert them to blue grass banjos. That is why the old jazz banjos are so hard to find in the US. Now they are hard to find in Ireland and they have to make new ones. Gery O Connor probly has twenty.

[@CullenVance]

What a wonderful video!!! Thank you so much!!!

[@Foxrock321]

Just inherited my Uncles Gibson Mastertone Earl Scruggs...now I’m gonna have to learn to play it...thanks for the video great job.

[@thomashoekstra2933]

I love how the banjo sound it's a unique sound I love it

[@gerard9098]

Great journey through the banjo history. Love it. Thnx !

[@ROCKINGMAN]

Thanks for this insight into these beautiful instruments. Love them all. I think my favourite is the open back banjo.

[@davidcollins343]

Great vid.. it was great to hear you play the different styles. The classic banjo piece was particularly interesting. I've never heard that style of banjo before. You are a fine player.

[@LoneRevD]

Wow amazing playing, thank you that was really terrific.

[@alainagjozijlugo]

So informative. Thank you Bill.

[@Eagle-zl4gz]

That 1930 sounds so good my favorite

[@mikelinniii1186]

This is fantastic! Very informative, thanks!

[@DJTabooMixTypeBeat]

History channel... love what you are doing, 100% passion

[@staggeringbird4701]

His history of the banjo shows with tony trischka were very cool

[@dolam]

Thank you so much for posting this video. It makes me want to learn how to play the banjo.

[@nightfrailer]

Nice. Thanks for the tour!

[@t4texastom587]

What a great presentation by Mr. Bill Evans, who is obviously a fine and accomplished banjo player. I also love his enthusiasm. I play banjos too, although I wouldn't put myself in a league with Bill Evans. Like most lovers of the banjo, I have my favorites......... Earl Scruggs, Ralph Stanley, Jim Mills, Stringbean, Mike Seeger, Pete Seeger..... there are SO many great ones that it's just not fair to list only a few. The only problem I have is with the stories and theories of where the banjo originated. Personally, I don't believe that the first banjos came from Africa. But it doesn't really matter where they came from.....at least we have them, to give us that great sound and enjoyment.🪕

[@parsivalshorse]

So very interesting, thanks. I'm fascinated by these instruments.

[@troynov1965]

man that old Gibson rings!!!!

[@donaldalumbaugh3390]

troynov1965 maple leaf rag

[@donaldalumbaugh3390]

I

[@JanetBeth13]

Bill, you continue to amaze me! Thanks for your skillful, interesting, accurate and concise presentation.

[@netwonc]

Great video and playing, Thanks for sharing.

[@jkennan]

Thanks, very informative. I love your enthusiasm.

[@Lanearndt]

Kudos to the luthier of the electric!!! That thing sounds and looks fantastic!!

[@humbuckercafe]

Thanks for sharing a part of Banjos’ history! And yes - a great playing :)

[@togaleheho]

That home sweet home with variations is so good.

[@alfredbarten4901]

Thanks. Good presentation. Now ... how about banjeaurine, mandolin banjo, piccolo banjo, plectrum banjo and tenor banjo. Oh, and banjo uke. I love banjos - all kinds and all styles.

[@davidgo8874]

The electric banjo sounds delightful. They all do!

[@ShayanGivehchian]

Please do a similar video about mandolins

[@jackbarr1124]

or the banjolele

[@mathias841]

Awesome teaching and awesome music. Would have love to hear more about the turning point into bluegrass.

[@scopedope8706]

Informative, Interesting and Enjoyable.

[@swing-o-gram]

Enjoyable video. thanks.

[@margaretradek971]

thank you, loved it

[@DustyThorburn]

Excellent work. Interesting that Mr. Evans refers to clawhammer style a couple of times but never actually demonstrates it or explains its origins. Still, the knowledge and musical virtuosity on display here is tremendous.

[@ordinarylestibourne2252]

that last one was beautiful...

[@JoseloGomezEA20101944]

HI Bill, your interpretation of Home Sweet Home, in old banjo, realy, WONDERFUL, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!, (and sorry for my bad english), Big Hug from Argentina, José Luis. NOTE: Here, most far to USA, I was study whith your book, "Banjo for Dummies", my daughter buyed it in NY 5 year ago. (I have 73 springs, and have 6 banjos,hahaha!!, 3 Deerings, but one is a Deering Calico, the star!!, God Bless Bill, JL.

[@heavenmetal1]

Beautifully done video. Makes me want to get a banjo now.

[@briankbs6715]

Liked your playing and presentation very much.

[@michaelbauers8800]

great presentation, thanks!

[@INDYOSKARS]

Instead of saying you left out this, that and you left out something else I´ll just say *THANK YOU* very good !

[@uberwigget]

Awesome informative video! Thanks

[@mrdavidjk]

Respect. Fantastic playing

[@louiswhite4909]

Wow, that was great!

[@scubasteve4093]

that classical piece was so much fun to listen too.

[@waveegravee]

Major chunk of banjo history missing when the plectrum banjo and tenor banjo were incorporated into traditional jazz; and consequently, became early jazz instruments.

[@poultonboys3108]

Really wanted to learn about that

[@sazji]

Interesting presentation. The 5th string story - supposedly added late by a white American maker, always seemed a bit odd, because the concept existed in Africa already. A time machine would probably be necessary to really sort that one out. I was surprised that clawhammer wasn't really talked about or demonstrated; it's such an important part of folk style banjo and early bluegrass as well.

[@johnrowan7288]

So true.

[@JacobvsRex]

I'd be willing to bet he saw a variation somewhere that had the 5th string and added it to his style, or got his style from a 5 string from the get go. Much more likely than he just invented it out of the blue....

[@d.l.loonabide9981]

The bass string was added, not the 5th.

[@sazji]

@@d.l.loonabide9981 That does seem a lot more plausible. There are some old paintings of banjo players playing instruments with three strings and a short drone.

[@robkunkel8833]

Some rather opinionated comments at this juncture. This is a fourteen minute video with plenty of information, a polished well worded presentation and enthusiasm.. Thanks Bill Evans ... like your namesake on a jazz piano, smooth and classy. ⛩〰🎶.

[@briarroot]

No mention of mountain banjos. Where do they fit into the mix?

[@fixitdude9748]

I have a hondo 2 ... I ended up here looking about these type of instruments. Nice video..

[@RebeccAcoustic]

Awesome video! I think my grandma had that exact same rug as you!

[@WinsomeJohnny]

Very informative..thank you.

[@jipes]

Wonderful review

[@icallhimgerald6463]

Very interesting! Great video!

[@ignaciocordovadonoso8662]

Beautiful

[@HolgerHendel]

Thank you!

[@marqy007]

Nice demos on the nice collection.

[@Aeidotronics]

Nice. Thanks.

[@svaperio3463]

I've played the banjo on and off for the past 25 years... but it took your 14 minute video for me to get the big picture. Thanks so much for posting this! Wonderful!

[@narrowboatodyssey]

I’m currently going through your course of Banjo for dummies .. wish me luck !!

[@JamesSmith-zz6pb]

11:39 Buck Trent worked with Porter Wagoner . He was a "Waggoner". Great video, Thanks so much for sharing.

[@oblux]

Love the cutting remarks about Gibson 'Les Paul's' - nothing but the equivalent of a flat screen TV or a couple of Lexus in the drive for their owners. *applauds

[@deanhoward4128]

You didn't mention the 4 string type; my late grandfather played a 4 string in the 1940's & 1950's& I was hoping to learn more about the origin of the 4 string.

[@loulamanna567]

I've put banjo necks on a les Paul and a Kay hollow Body and a Stratocaster. they are awesome!

[@cristobalgonzalezmeza9697]

Magnificent.

[@theoldcrow4945]

I DID ENJOY,THANKS

[@shaunw9270]

Thanks for this Bill. I'm new to Banjo & have been bewildered with the chronology of it & the styles & techniques etc. All the people belly aching about the stuff you missed out is a bit dumb - what do they expect in less than 15 minutes ?!

[@arky429]

buck trent played for porter waggoner

[@Kobayashhi]

Great stuff

[@KunchangLeeMusic]

Great vid 👌🏿

[@yermomsbanjo9691]

I enjoy this video thoroughly Bill!! I would like to see you do one with some some of the other earthly banjos of the cealtic world thrown in the mix that would be cool!! Thank you!!

[@yermomsbanjo9691]

Meant Celtic!

[@onlyrick]

Oh, the carnality!

[@metalkezzle2129]

you are very informative ,a good player too.

[@boozoochavis7506]

This was a good, if brief history but I thoroughly enjoyed the Lennon song on the electric banjo! That machine has a beautiful sound and you may be one of the few people besides myself that even seemed to notice that song, nobody else seems to know it. Thanks, this was great!

[@theliamofella]

Nice video, thanks

[@EsjjiobaCommunism]

yeah man!

[@craigmitchell8892]

funny I came across this video years ago when studying jazz piano and i was searching the name BIll Evans allot (a jazz ledgend) now I'm learning clawhammer banjo and I'm back again haha

[@philliphill3390]

Nice info on banjos with the 5th string. Now, what about the four string banjos you missed: the long neck plectrum (made famous by Eddy Peabody) and the short neck tenor banjo (played by Irish folk singers) and also played in traditional Dixieland jazz?

[@mazda1942]

...and what about the ukulele banjo? I have a 1927 Gibson UB4 which has a brilliant sound.

[@TheBestBoyyeeehehe]

great video

[@JohnMooreVlogs]

Man that Granada was Killer!

[@budm.1450]

When you said "Canadian" banjo maker I thought you were going to say Rickard Banjo's in Aurora, Ontario, Canada. Bill Rickard builds some of the most beautiful instruments I've ever seen and heard. The attention to detail on all their models is astonishing and I highly recommend their instruments to anyone. Thanks for showing your fine collection, I appreciate it.