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Early English Banjo

Resources from a research project on the early English banjo 1842-1889 including notation for the recorded tunes uploaded to our youtube research channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2ARp4V-79Qsk0dxbKvqniQ

Keynotes Musical Monthly, Vol. IV. No.48, May 1911, John Alvey Turner, London

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May 07, 2026

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Early English Banjo: This blog forms a resource sharing space linked to a current and ongoing project researching the social history and repertoire of the early English banjo c.1842-1930. Pre c.1896 repertoire is recorded on original English 6 and 7-string banjos strung with gut strings that are tuned to a higher pitch than modern standard tuning in accord with English mid-Victorian musical practice. For post c.1896 repertoire original gut-strung 5-string banjo is added to this range of recording instruments. For the majority of recordings pitch is A4=444hz known as Society of Arts pitch. Post c.1896 repertoire is recorded tuned to modern A4=440hz pitch. The evidence emerging from detailed study of previously neglected 19th century primary sources is revealing a repertoire far more diverse than the negative stereotyping of American-derived 'minstrelsy'. This popular repertoire reveals the contextual influences and creativity of British composers and musicians as the banjo was adapted and assimilated into Victorian English vernacular contexts.Audio for these tunes are uploaded to: https://www.youtube.com/@earlyenglishbanjo/videos

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