It's Time to Rethink the Banjo (feat. Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn)

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The banjo was, at one time, the most popular instrument in America, with tens of thousands manufactured and sold between 1910 and 1930. Nahre talks to Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn to discover the origins of the banjo as an African and Middle Eastern instrument.

Nahre travels to Nashville to learn how to play the banjo from some of the greatest banjo players in the world. Béla and Abigail show us what makes their banjo playing unique, and they also let Nahre play one of the world's largest banjos.

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[SoundFieldPBS]

We keep forgetting to ask people to subscribe. Is it tacky to ask y'all to subscribe in this here comment? I hope you liked this banjo episode. I promise we're going to have more episodes like this one coming out. So if you like it... just hit that there subscribe button <3 LOVE YOU

[chuthuhu]

I have a problem with remembering people's faces or discerning them when I see someone. I've watched Abigail with Bela in many videos, but when I met them both, I didn't realize Abigail was the person that greeted me.


I'm a mailman, and when I delivered their packages/letters and recognized Bela's name on his electric bill, I was really excited and too scared I might scare them with my "fan excitement" so I just delivered their stuff like normally.


When I had another chance to deliver their stuff. I was overcame with joy when Abigail (at the time I didn't realize it was her) came out and accepted the items they ordered and talked with me. I asked if "THE Bela Fleck" lived here and she replied, "YES!" We gave each other a high five and she asked if I wanted to meet him.


Abigail is such a wholesome person and I'm so glad that I had the chance to meet her (and her husband) in such a regular and non fandom situation, it means so much more to me even months after meeting her and Bela at their home.


YOU ARE AMAZING ABIGAIL AND BELA! MUCH LOVE from the postal service :)

[mgmartin]

Courtin' a girl by learning her banjo style. I never thought of that.

[jolienSHABOOYA]

This video made me buy a banjo, it was an entire add for banjos. I ain't mad.

[stereoroid]

Getting a banjo lesson from Béla Fleck is like getting a piano lesson from Evgeny Kissin. A rare honour indeed!

[mr.rogers]

"Great, now go practice that for two hours." That killed me.

[andrewkingsman]

I am from west Africa, and when she said the instrument originated from some African regions it clicked...Banjo in my language roughly translates to "dance with me, " "dance for me" or something similar. Coincidence??? Maybe, but I'm suprised I never Made the connection.

[tone]

I didn't realize just, like, getting Bela Fleck to be in a video was an option. Fantastic as always!

[stevious]

It doesn't matter how low, depressed or however I feel; the moment I hear Banjo, I immediately feel good. Greetings from Australia

[nedisahonkey]

The guy saying "There's not much to it" and then playing baby shark cracked me up. Thanks for this video guys, I'm in love with Banjos and Mandolin. Interesting that the Banjo as seen as a "hillbilly" instrument when it's origin is West African.

[gunnarcolleen]

As a long term banjo player, I love this! When I went to Morocco a few years ago I saw groups playing in the public squares using both the traditional gourd instruments from west africa and banjos at the same time. Two branches of the same instrument.So cool to see how music and instruments spread across the world and influence one another.

[evracer]

Bela can take a lot of credit for its comeback honestly. As a musician I kinda liked bluegrass and only really accepted it in that genre. Then I heard the Flecktones and was completely BLOWN away as I liked jazz as well. I've been a Flecktones fan ever since and Victor Wooten's playing has been an inspiration to me for quite some time. I still remember hearing Bela Fleck and the Flecktones for the first time on the Tonight Show. They are still amazing!

[LambentLark]

My mom and dad got tickets to see Roy Clark when I was 3 or 4. The sitter never showed up that night. Dad wasn't about to miss Roy Clark so, they stuffed some cotton in my ears and, I got to go with them. It didn't take long for me to give my pop the slip. I always went my own way my aunt said I was so bad, my mom would hook a leash to my belt at times so she could grocery shop. They didn't bring it that night though and first chance, I snuck right up front. It was magical. The rest of the people melted away and it felt like he was playing just for me. The music made me laugh and dance. His smile was impossible not to return. I think he may have been a little charmed by me too. When he finished, I wasn't having any of that! My little face all hopeful, big brown eyes begging like a starving dog. Half a bubble off a tear; "Please mister, play me more?" He played 5 more songs and I was delighted. Seeing Roy Clark playing banjo and guitar is not only a good memory, it's my first. Looking back, I feel a little bad for the freak out my parents must have been going through. But seeing my next real memory I have is my brother pushing me out of a tree and breaking my arm, I can live with their trauma.

[GDIEternal]

You guys should do an episode on "talking drums" in West Africa (Bata, dundun, tama, etc.). People say music is a language as a metaphor, but in some situations, that's literally true.

[siggesaltens]

One should bear in mind, that the banjo origanally is an instrument from west africa There is a place called BANJUL. Which means STRAW, OR RUSH It came to the American continent with the african slaves-

[arnontzori]

I love this! The banjo needs all the love it can get. Thanks!

[kpizzlemynizzle]

62 yr old kraka horse here. Road HARD and picked up wet. AMAZING mini docu!!! Young LADY you have as much a gift as them, with added peripherals. GOD BLESS Y'ALL!!!

[MelodyVillaMusic]

The masters of banjo indeed! Abigail vocals are so incredible!

[rutvikrs]

Wow! Just wow! Bela Fleck. One of favorite artists. Thanks Sound Field for bringing him on.

[alexcarter]

I think Bach would have loved the banjo. It's got a clear, precise sound.