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The '''banjo''' is an [[American]] string instrument, usually played in [[folk]] music or [[bluegrass]] music.

The '''banjo''' is stringed musical instrument, usually played in [[folk]] music or [[bluegrass]] music. The instrument features a long [[fret]]ted neck and a body that looks like a drum, with a (usually artificial) skin stretched over a circular frame. While strongly identified with [[American]] musical traditions, the banjo's origins are found in [[Africa]].

Most banjos have 5 strings (though the shorter Tenor Banjo has only four), one of which is shorter, and is played as a drone in the background.

Most banjos have 5 strings (though the shorter tenor banjo has only four), one of which is shorter, and is played as a drone in the background.

Banjos with 4 strings are tuned as DGBD, and banjos with 5 strings are tuned as GDGBD.<ref>http://www.folkofthewood.com/Images10/tuning5stringbanjo2.jpg</ref>

Banjos with 4 strings are tuned as DGBD, and banjos with 5 strings are tuned as GDGBD.<ref>http://www.folkofthewood.com/Images10/tuning5stringbanjo2.jpg</ref>

There are two main ways of playing the banjo, bluegrass style (also called Scruggs style) or clawhammer (also called old-time, or frailing) style.

There are two main ways of playing the banjo, bluegrass style (also called Scruggs style) or clawhammer (also called old-time, or frailing) style.

Bluegrass banjo requires the player to play a series of complex patterns, picking individual strings in quick succession, emphasizing the notes of the melody. This style was developed in the early [[20th Century]] by bluegrass musician [[Earl Scruggs]]. It is more common in the united states than clawhammer, but it much more technically difficult.

Bluegrass banjo requires the player to play a series of complex patterns, picking individual strings in quick succession, emphasizing the notes of the melody. This style was developed in the early [[20th century]] by bluegrass musician [[Earl Scruggs]]. It is more common in the United States than clawhammer, but it much more technically difficult.

Clawhammer has the player picking the notes of the melody interspersed with strumming all the strings together. This style is older than bluegrass style and is usually easier to learn.

Clawhammer has the player picking the notes of the melody interspersed with strumming all the strings together. This style is older than bluegrass style and is usually easier to learn.