Its percussive rhythm, pronounced notes and melodic uniqueness make the banjo a particularly versatile instrument. The instrument plays an important role in bluegrass, country, jazz and folk. However, rock bands (including Led Zeppelin and The Eagles) also regularly use banjos. Would you also like to learn to play the banjo? Or have you been playing for some time and are looking for a new banjo? Take a look at what The Fellowship of Acoustics has to offer!

History and Origins of the Banjo

The banjo as we know it today is known as a typical American musical instrument. However, its origins lie on the African continent. The first versions were very simple instruments, made from a hollowed-out gourd, a pair of strings made of horsehair, an animal skin and a planed stick. People at the time called the instrument ‘banjar’, which shows how little the name has changed over the centuries.

Today's banjo evolved from instruments believed to have been brought to the Caribbean by slaves from West Africa (or Portuguese slave traders) in the 17th century. Because the banjo was relatively easy to make and also not too difficult to learn to play, the instrument soon spread throughout the rest of the American continent. The first American banjo players developed a style called clawhammer. In this, the player moves his thumb and index/middle finger in a downward, plucking motion, producing a very rhythmic sound. Towards the end of the nineteenth century, an alternative playing style also began to develop, very similar to the way acoustic guitars are played. Around this period, instrument was brought to Europe by banjo-playing minstrels. The growing popularity of the banjo led to more variations of the instrument. Banjos with metal strings appeared in both America and Europe, creating a new kind of sound. By the early 20th century, the four-string banjo was a popular instrument among vaudeville musicians and American jazz musicians.

Our Banjo Range

Over the years, different styles and techniques have emerged for playing the banjo. Various types of banjos are available today, equipped with metal or nylon strings and mostly adapted to a specific musical style. There are the classic five-string banjos (also known as bluegrass banjos) and various four-string banjos, such as the tenor banjo and the ‘low’ banjo. Six-string banjos are also available. In addition, there are ‘hybrid’ banjos on the market, or combinations of the banjo with other stringed instruments such as the mandolin and the ukulele.

TFOA offers you an impressive banjo range, with new as well as vintage and second-hand ones. Brands such as Gibson, Eastman, George Houghton & Son, Deering and B&D are well represented. You can easily refine the range by filtering by, for example, price, brand and/or options. 

Buying a Banjo 

TFOA is happy to help you find the banjo that suits you best. Although all our banjos are easy to order online, we understand that most musicians like to play several banjos before making a choice. We would therefore like to invite you to drop by our branch in Dedemsvaart. Here you can try out the different makes and models of banjos from our range at your leisure. Naturally, our experienced staff is also at your service to provide you with expert, tailor-made advice.