Abstract
This study examines the creation and development of the banjo and its cultural transformation from its West African origins to its role in modern American music. The banjo originated from instruments native to West Africa and was brought to the Americas through the transatlantic slave trade, where it evolved within enslaved African communities. It was later performed by 19th-century American minstrels, leading to its widespread adoption by the Appalachian South. In the 20th century, the banjo became a defining instrument in bluegrass music, shaped by performers such as Bill Monroe and Earl Scruggs. Today, the banjo maintains a lasting influence in many modern genres and the American Musical Soundscape.
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Lucas Helker
Department/Program
Music
Submission Type
in-person poster
Date
4-3-2026
Rights
Copyright the Author(s)
Recommended Citation
Deaton, Hans E.
(2026)
"The Banjo: A Dive into the Creation and Rise of Bluegrass’s Favorite Instrument,"
SACAD: Scholarly Activities: Vol. 2026, Article 13.
Available at:
https://scholars.fhsu.edu/sacad/vol2026/iss2026/13
Included in
Appalachian Studies Commons, Ethnomusicology Commons, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Commons
