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

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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.

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

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 :)

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Come from a family of black musicians and Im proud to be a part of their legacy.

Nahre, you correctly pronouncing Appalachia blessed me!

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.

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.

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!

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.

Just stumbled across this and haven't read through the comments, but was disappointed to not have anything brought up about the use of the banjo in Irish folk music.

Now you’re getting private lessons from Bela Fleck. What a cool gig.

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

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!!!

Béla is a legend, i saw him with the flecktones live once, probably one of the greatest groups of musicians ever to exist, also he has the absolute best bassist in the world imo : victor wooten

I remember first seeing Bela Fleck and the Flecktones on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show on Feb. 5th 1992, and just 5 days later he played The Belly Up Tavern, a local San Diego area music scene. I was shocked that a guest on Carson would be in such an intimate venue, when I would normally expect first-time guests to be instantly launched into the firmament. Fleck himself was beyond mind-blowing, but so was his entire band. Most notably, the bassist was the incomparable Victor Wooten. During a break he came out and played a bass rendition of a classical piece (Bach, IIRC) that made the normally raucous bar completely silent, to the point that the bartenders stopped pouring drinks or using the cash register. The silence lingered long after Victor's last note completely faded away. After which we all "exhaled loudly". Bela wasn't the only virtuoso in the house! Victor's brother Roy, the funky pirate-hatted "Future Man" himself, played the drumitar. Something you must see to believe. I literally lack the words. Then there was Howard Levy, who played "everything else" including keyboards, harmonica, guitar, flute, and more. I believe he also acted as the de-facto musical director, keeping the band focused and in the groove, yet on their toes by tossing in improvised phrases to spice things up (as did everyone, but Howard's were special). That Carson show was the first time I realized I absolutely needed a better sound system for my TV (banjo brought out the worst in my speakers). And that Belly Up show was the first time I had been so close to true musical greatness, a huge step up from the awesome bands and terrific musicians that always played there. Bela totally upgraded my musical existence, and I haven't looked back since.

Their kid is gonna be a banjo legend

This is a great overview of centuries of history in a few minutes. Hearing more of the big banjo would be more than welcome!

Bela Fleck! I friggin love bela fleck

Today is the first day of Summer 2023. My banjo is being restored at Gotham brothers center. I write poems/songs/ stories. Waiting with baited breath for this. I am 75 willing to learn the banjo.

The lady who sang at 1:00, her voice gave me the chills. Absolutely heavenly. :o

Oh man, I first learned about Abigail Washburn from a great TED talk she gave, about her journey in music. Apparently she can speak Mandarin Chinese, because she originally wanted to become a lawyer and improve US-China relations?! Anyway, to paraphrase her TED talk, I think what makes the banjo and folk music so appealing is it often sounds ancient, like it's been here for thousands of years (and some of it has!)

I love seeing Nahre go from pianist extraordinaire, to banjo beginner! Did it feel weird going from a keyboard to a stringed instrument?

The history of the banjo is fascinating. The American Banjo Museum in Oklahoma City is a super cool place to check out if your ever in the area.

I grew up in Asheville NC and often saw béla fleck at bluegrass festivals. I've got bluegrass in my blood now.

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

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

Very enjoyable, very well put together. It all comes down to what Dante said: 'I like the sound and it's fun to play'.

Since watching this video the algorithm is blessing me with banjo videos almost everyday. Praise be to the algorithm!

A vastly underappreciated instrument. When my son was three, I was showing him some Bela Fleck, and he wanted to know who was playing the "barn guitar" He's had a fascination with it since, and he loved this episode too! Good stuff. Love you guys! 👍✌️❤️🤘

Ba-bay SHARK do do do do do do. Thanks. Now it's in my head forever 🤣🤣

Man I love Sound Field. My Dad is big on 60s American folk (Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, etc), so the banjo kinda reminds me of him and the music he plays in the car. My favourite use of the banjo, though, has gotta be Journey of the Sorcerer, the theme tune to the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Combined with the space-age synths and wooshes, it gives the tune this ethereal yet somehow also earthy vibe. Also, Dante Limon is one of the coolest names I've ever heard.

Was very amused to learn that the guy who gave me my first-ever banjo lesson actually wrote this episode.

I bought my banjo in 1983. Before the internet, all i knew about Bela was from photos in Banjo magazines. I always thought he was HOT! (i was in my 20's) he still is looking good!!

I love the way Ms. Washburn plays. It’s just lovely.

Wow - that rendition of "Bloomin' Rose" in the beginning was amazing. Had never heard it before - what a voice! And the melody's very "Irish" skips and cadences together with the more "American" ending to the phrase in the chorus... wonderful! Thanks for bringing more great music and its history to my attention, Nahre! :)

check out Mean Mary, she plays a mean banjo, has a beautiful voice, writes great songs, best new banjo player ive seen in a long time.

I got to do monitors for the Flecktones in the '90s in Madison WI. THE BEST SHOW EVER! And I got to listen to them up close. The things I heard on my headphones was AMAZING! Bela was the nicest person. Jazz banjo...yeah!

Abigail Washburn's voice! OMG!

I am a guitar player that has played for 50yrs. I played in prog rock and jazz fusion bands as a guitarist in the 70's to 90's, when I heard Bela Fleck and the Fleck Tones in the 90"s I could not believe how good this music and playing was. It does not matter what instrument you are playing, if you are a good and can write good music you will be heard!!!

Every time I hear the banjo I have the early memory of Roy Clark playing both 4-string and 5-string banjos durring the 60"s and 70's..😃

My favorite thing about the banjo and folk music in general is the range of emotion it can convey. It can be happy go lucky in care free or it can be beautifully sorrowful and melancholy

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-

It seems like we're due for another American folk Renaissance. I'm here for it.

An episode on the pedal steel would be incredible

Wow! Guys, this was amazing video! I am from Bulgaria, a country proud with its traditional music, dances, ways of singing, but bluegrass, country music and southern gothic music are the styles I am starting to work with now. Thank you for this awesome content!!!

A fretless banjo? YES! I'm definitely taking up the banjo now!

I’m in love with the curly haired woman who sings like an angel

Theres a band here in Pittsburgh that plays old timey jazz tunes, as the old big bands used banjos before guitars went amplified, its 2 banjos and a standup bass and the soloist is CRAZYY

Been following Bela since mid 80s

Loved seeing Nahre Sol talking to Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn. This is great.

Here in Chile Banjo is an instrument related to evangelical Christianity. They use to learn to play banjo to sing in the church. It looks like a simple instrument to play but is not. Thank you Sound Field, the amount and quality of information is amazing as always :D Love Nahre, but where is L.A? They are the dynamic duo LOL :)

Everyone should listen to Béla Fleck's album Tabula Rasa with virtuosos of eastern music. Brilliant listen

Just feeling great having watched this episode! In the past day, was binge watching and led through the RU-vid rabbit hole being inspired by Josh Turner Guitar, to JT etc., to David Bruce Composer, to Nahre Sol and then happened to see a link on a Banjo Hangout forum and it comes circling back to this and Nahre! Fabulous!

Great video and so cool that you got to interview Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn 🤩🤩

Thank you Nahre🙂 It’s always so enlightening to hear you talk about music or here of it’s history

I would love to see a whole series of these kinds of videos, where you travel around the world with each episode focused on a different somewhat unique, non-mainstream instrument. Exploring the different kinds of playing styles, the histories of it, and how it is making a comeback in modern music.

I'm a belgian Bluegrass and Old Time music player/listener and this video truly helped me on a work I'm doing for my last school year, thanks !

I'm a clawhammer banjo player! Thank you for talking about banjo.

British guitarist Martin Simpson, a world-class fingerpicker IMO, actually started out on banjo, taking lessons from Peggy Seeger (Pete's half sister) who was livng in the UK. Martin said she wrote the word "slowly" on the back of his right hand, to remind him to develop accuracy and control first before trying to speed it up! Anyone not familiar with Martin Simpson should check him out, there are concert videos and instructional masterclasses on You Tube. He still plays banjo, as well as mandolin, Dobro, bottleneck acoustic slide guitar and electric lap steel; and he is a walking talking encyclopedia of music from all around the world. He mostly interprets other people's songs (stellar versions of Hard Love, Blues Runs the Game, and Killing the Blues, to name a few), but the song he wrote about his errant father, "Never Any Good" , both breaks my heart and makes me smile, almost simultaneously.

She has such a beautiful voice too.

the guy who played baby shark... what an absolute legend

Do you know what you just did? Mother-lode of god people in the banjo world. And you made it interesting. Thank you. Love all Bela music!

Wow, as a public school music teacher and a fan of folk and roots music, I have to say this was one great video. Thank you!

That was a bloody good documentary. 👍

I think of my Pa (grandfather), who used to play the banjo.

I can't stand modern country....but I certainly love the banjo...the sounds in this video were awesome...thank you!

I would love to see a "reaction video" of Nahre and LA watching clips from "Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Live at The Quick". Has to be the most eclectic combination of instruments I've ever seen/heard.

was lucky enough to have he and the flecktones show up at college for a free symposium before lunch hour, we all skipped class of course, futureman teaching 9/16 on his knees while speaking to the crowd at the same time. ive never since seen such musicianship ...if thats even a word, and humility. shook hands, answered questions, played a hell of a show that night at the auditorium. i may be old, but this music is ageless...

This is one of my favorite episodes out of the last few, for sure!

Wow. I have to say, I’d probably give up a big toe for a banjo lesson from Bela Fleck.

I'm so happy I bought a banjo!!!!!! Can't wait to be as good as Bela Fleck ( i have all my life plus several more to learn!)!

Its banjo fever!!!

I love how the description, "A drum head with a neck" perfectly describes the sound of a banjo to me. Awesome episode as always! Would love to see future videos, if you do more on specific cultural instruments, of things like the ocarina, sitar, or even didgeridoo!

When discussing the banjos lack of popularity around 1980 I didn't catch anything about the nasty PR the early 1970's movie "Deliverance" did for the banjo reputation.....This vid is great !

I’ve been looking forward to this moment for weeks since you released the teaser excerpt of it! Amazingly informative and constantly exploratory as always! I can’t even believe how much depth every single genre has that I feel regretful that I discovered them late! Thank you so much crew for opening that third ear as always! 😊🙏🎉🙌

Awesome little history of our little instrument!

My great grandfather and my great uncle used to make mountain banjos and dulcimers, so I know a little bit about them and know it would take me a long time to make one like they did.

Holy shit, Béla and Abigail are legends! Edit: and you mentioned Rihannon Giddens? What a great episode. Thank you for what you do.

Bela. What can you say? Just wow.

Love you guys, every video you bring out is amazing! Also, thanks for introducing us to these musicians, Abigail Washburn has an amazing voice!

Love this channel. Love the diversity of music you cover! Theres so much underappreciated music in the world

if you wanna get your minds blown, google "Molly Tuttle" admittetly, she plays the guitar, but she is a true bluegrass virtuoso and probably one of those 'younger folks' the banjo maker in this video was talking about. She is incredibly talented.

The Flecktones Live at the Quick album is so phenomenal, and is one of my favorites. Also, I saw Rhiannon Giddens with Dirk Powell last month, and that was a killer show where no song was in same genre as any other song. Dirk picked up an accordion and played a Cajun waltz, and then Rhiannon sang a Gaelic song. Her nephew went up and rapped while band grooved behind him. They played a song in the vein of Carole King, a gospel song, a swamp pop song... And every performance was solid gold. I noticed there was a lot of communication that made me realize this was very off-the-cuff, and in fact learned afterwards that this show was never rehearsed.

I'm still learning banjo! (Haven't practiced in a while tho, lmao) So happy to see this episode!

At 2:20 the banjo abigail is playing is called a cello banjo by Gold Tone music group.

great video! thanks for all your work and sharing lovely stories :--) -Lucas

Africa is the home of the Banjo.

My first recollection of Bela Fleck was when he was with New Grass Revival.

Really good to hear Alan Obryant after 40 years!

I love the Banjo

It's easier to Play like Abigail , I need to Learn both was though , The banjo is such a cool Sound , LOve Bluegrass , Liked and Shared . Thank You :) QC

B&A with my favorite youtuber pianist Nahre!

Omg this video was made for me