The banjo as a 'new instrument'...

I had to stop when they mentioned Mumford and Sons, suddenly overcome by a sense of blandness.

Much maligned and misunderstood.....such a pity

Oh my

I must admit to being a Mumford & Sons fan, Winston's use of the banjo in their songs inspired me to get one after many years of debating it.

I can see your point about the blandness though, sometimes their songs are a bit predictable.

It does make me laugh when people talk about the banjo being a "new" thing. It's been around over a hundred years and just because a well known person plays it, suddenly it's the new thing.

Then again, the impact these celebs can have on the youngsters these days, is pretty amazing. It's like when Taylor Swift comes on stage prancing around with a 6 string banjo, whether it's a prop or not, the banjo purists hate it much of the time.....however millions of youngsters suddenly think it's cool to play banjo. So begins the next generation of pickers.

My girls thought i was sad getting a banjo, then Taylor Swift got one......a few months later they are requesting stuff by Steve Martin and bands like The Punch Brothers.

I must admit, i used to do the whole hillbilly micky take thing, but now that i know a bit more about the history of it, and especially the Appalachian side of it, i do tend to feel a bit sorry for them regarding the whole "deliverance" thing. That movie can't have done them or the banjo any favours.

Calv.

My mate Steve has just bought a Chuck Lee Prairieville and as Martin knows I quite like this style of playing:








Phil