So the plectrum banjo was the road not taken; it’s less cutting than the tenor, has a lower range available compared to tenor, and works well for chordal playing. Seems to me that the plectrum could have taken the role that the archtop guitar did. Mind you, an L5 or Super 400 or an Epiphone Emperor in a big band is an awesome thing.
I think by 1933/34, the Banjo was just sounding too old fashioned for the type of sound that was becoming more prevalent for the big bands as they moved into a more swing-era type sound. Sort of like what happened to the Clarinet when Bebop came in the mid 40s. While you can find very rare examples of it, it just doesn't seem to fit. Most major Jazz bands like Louis Armstrong's, Duke Ellington's or Cab Calloway's still used mostly Banjo in the rhythm section right through 1932. But you also had virtuoso guitar guys well before then like Eddie Lang, Karl Kress and even Lonnie Johnson who occasionally appeared on record with Duke, Louis and others in the late 20s. You also had, starting in 1931, the very popular vocal group The Mills Brothers, who always used a guitar, in a very rhythmic fashion. I think all in all, the guitar just had the more "modern" sound to the ear at the time.
After Eddie Lang died, the guitar became the most popular swing rhythm instrument. The mills brothers had always used a tenor guitar, until John Mills Jr, (guitarist) died in the late thirties. The tenor guitar pretty much was a tenor banjo with a guitar body. Of course guitar had projection limitations, which was why Lang played with heavy strings, plucked close to the bridge, and used a big body archtop. Once electric guitars became widespread in 36 and 37, the guitar had found the spotlight in the jazz world. For recording purposes, the banjo was not as necessary by 1925, because electric microphones could pick up a guitar better among the horns, but the banjo persisted for a few more years.
Forgive my ignorance, but I didn’t realize that there 4 string banjos. Are 4 and 5 string banjos played differently (in jazz, of course you can’t do clawhammer w/o the 5th string)? Are they both part of early jazz?
five string banjos are the traditional form of the banjo, dating back a few centuries, while the tenor banjo, is much newer in the grand scheme (around 1905). the tenor banjo is much smaller, and tuned either like a violin or viola, depending on the style, but there is also the plectrum banjo, which is identical in construction to the five string, minus the fifth string, same scale and size.
The role of a ukulele in jazz especially in a jazz band, is pretty limited. It's a pretty intstrument and all but Most of uke players aren't even interested in jazz to begin with. if they are, they'd learn guitars instead.
There is definitely at least a subculture of jazz ukulele players, and a lot of really great ukulele jazz arrangements. Berklee even has a book on Jazz ukulele. A couple jazz ukuleleists include Sarah Maisel, Lyle Ritz, James Hill and Abe Lagrimas.
U know, I always wondered what that string instrument was in some modern jazz songs. Now I know it’s the banjo. I couldn’t decide if it was the ukulele or the banjo. For instance, Hamilton’s “The Room Where it Happens” has banjo. A lot of electro swing songs have banjo as well
I'm glad he mentioned Duke Ellington's banjoist Fred Guy: he was barely heard, but if he wasn' there, he would be sorely missed in the overall sound of the band.
Wonderful to keep these old traditions alive. Loved the tune you two cooked up to!
That was so cool to listen to! I came looking for Banjo and jazz and I got a history lesson, love it!
That clarinet player looks like a million bucks. What a sophisticated looking dude. No t shirts for him.
Banjo player: so am I supposed to dress up for this?
Clarinet guy: no no just dress casually
orchestra player. banjo player plays in the NOLA streets!
Jazz at Lincoln Center's JAZZ ACADEMY Tenor Guitars (and Plectrum Guitars) were developed in the "Transition Period from Banjo to Guitar"
What tuning does this guy use ? It sounds amazing.
So the plectrum banjo was the road not taken; it’s less cutting than the tenor, has a lower range available compared to tenor, and works well for chordal playing. Seems to me that the plectrum could have taken the role that the archtop guitar did. Mind you, an L5 or Super 400 or an Epiphone Emperor in a big band is an awesome thing.
I think by 1933/34, the Banjo was just sounding too old fashioned for the type of sound that was becoming more prevalent for the big bands as they moved into a more swing-era type sound. Sort of like what happened to the Clarinet when Bebop came in the mid 40s. While you can find very rare examples of it, it just doesn't seem to fit. Most major Jazz bands like Louis Armstrong's, Duke Ellington's or Cab Calloway's still used mostly Banjo in the rhythm section right through 1932. But you also had virtuoso guitar guys well before then like Eddie Lang, Karl Kress and even Lonnie Johnson who occasionally appeared on record with Duke, Louis and others in the late 20s. You also had, starting in 1931, the very popular vocal group The Mills Brothers, who always used a guitar, in a very rhythmic fashion. I think all in all, the guitar just had the more "modern" sound to the ear at the time.
This comment is more valueable than the video tbh, thanks!
After Eddie Lang died, the guitar became the most popular swing rhythm instrument. The mills brothers had always used a tenor guitar, until John Mills Jr, (guitarist) died in the late thirties. The tenor guitar pretty much was a tenor banjo with a guitar body. Of course guitar had projection limitations, which was why Lang played with heavy strings, plucked close to the bridge, and used a big body archtop. Once electric guitars became widespread in 36 and 37, the guitar had found the spotlight in the jazz world. For recording purposes, the banjo was not as necessary by 1925, because electric microphones could pick up a guitar better among the horns, but the banjo persisted for a few more years.
So, the bottom half was ripped off and given to the drummer, and the fretboard given to the guitarist
You say that as a joke, but the tenor guitar was invented because a guy literally ripped the neck off a tenor banjo and had it put on a guitar body.
This is great!!!!
I’m supposed to be doing homework right now
Thank you A learning Experience
Forgive my ignorance, but I didn’t realize that there 4 string banjos.
Are 4 and 5 string banjos played differently (in jazz, of course you can’t do clawhammer w/o the 5th string)?
Are they both part of early jazz?
five string banjos are the traditional form of the banjo, dating back a few centuries, while the tenor banjo, is much newer in the grand scheme (around 1905). the tenor banjo is much smaller, and tuned either like a violin or viola, depending on the style, but there is also the plectrum banjo, which is identical in construction to the five string, minus the fifth string, same scale and size.
Very educational, thank you!
hey, mey you do a video on ukulele and jazz
The role of a ukulele in jazz especially in a jazz band, is pretty limited. It's a pretty intstrument and all but Most of uke players aren't even interested in jazz to begin with. if they are, they'd learn guitars instead.
There is definitely at least a subculture of jazz ukulele players, and a lot of really great ukulele jazz arrangements.
Berklee even has a book on Jazz ukulele.
A couple jazz ukuleleists include Sarah Maisel, Lyle Ritz, James Hill and Abe Lagrimas.
What's up with the breathing xP?
U know, I always wondered what that string instrument was in some modern jazz songs. Now I know it’s the banjo. I couldn’t decide if it was the ukulele or the banjo. For instance, Hamilton’s “The Room Where it Happens” has banjo. A lot of electro swing songs have banjo as well
There are 6 String Banjos tuned like Guitars (Banjitars) which made it easier to compete with the horns.
Nice.
I'd heard that banjo took the chordal support role of pianos in early bands. As the bands got bigger, they got pianos which made the banjos an extra.
I'm glad he mentioned Duke Ellington's banjoist Fred Guy: he was barely heard, but if he wasn' there, he would be sorely missed in the overall sound of the band.
This video has the right amount of dislikes: 0!😁
You spoke too soon. There's already 3
In the early days the Banjo covered the rythm section (no drums). And the Tuba played the bass parts. Really bizarre.
Bizarre?
yes, but endly beautiful, and with the washbo.
👌🏿
Awesome 👏🏆💪🏼🏄🏻💨🛸🚀👨🏻🚀🌯
banjo originated in Africa.
Africa's banjo ancestors and look-alikes are jola akonting and the harp like kora.