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Tonight, I learned more about banjos than I would have ever considered possible. Eric Bye of Vermont presented a program about 19th century music, with a focus on banjos. An amazing fact is that later in that century, banjos were made in such a way as to simulate other instruments, and there was the phenomena of “banjo orchestras,” with one banjo sounding like a piccolo; another (called a banjatar) had six strings, like a guitar, etc.; and all banjos were made in different sizes. The banjo went from having four strings to having five strings, over time.

Eric played a minstrel tune called “Circus Jig” to start off the program. With only one song, did he accompany himself with voice, although he has a very pleasant voice! He gave a wonderful overview of banjo music throughout the nineteenth century, and used two banjos, including one that he made himself, throughout the concert. The humidity was affecting his banjos a great deal and causing them to be out of tune, so he would stop and re-tune them.

Eric Bye, playing the banjo in Bristol, New Hampshire on June 25, 2009

One cannot fully appreciate American music without knowing what was happening at the time. Eric Bye filled in a lot of historical details. He remarked about the number of songs that came out of the Civil War period. He played a song from that era called, “Tenting on the Old Camp Ground,” on a boombox that he’d brought with him. The song, for which the New Hampshire Historical Society possesses an original copy of the sheet music, as seen in a recent exhibit, was written by Walter Kittredge, a New Hampshire resident. The sentimental tune was made famous by the Hutchinson Family Singers of Milford, NH. A live rendition of the song was shared by Steve Blunt, a presenter in this lecture series, whom we had the pleasure to hear a few weeks ago, and about whom we also wrote a blog entry.

The banjo and the fiddle once were considered “the devil’s instruments.” The banjo was mainly used by African-Americans on the plantation before being taken over as a preferred instrument of minstrel shows. The presenter explained that by the end of the century, and beyond, mainly people with money were playing the banjo, quite a transition.

This combination history lesson and concert was fascinating. I will say no more so as not to “give away” the whole program. Suffice it to say that it is understandable why Eric Bye has been invited back to give his presentations since 1990 in Vermont for their Humanities Council programs, and for the last five years in New Hampshire. In his real life work, he is a linguist/translator who is fluent in French, Spanish, and German. He has translated more than 100 books, primarily non-fiction and scientific titles. It appears that he brings a passion to his work and to his “play.”

We certainly enjoyed every part of tonight, except the heat and humidity over which no one had any control. This has been a fun week. We have gone to three of these programs on consecutive nights, and in diverse parts of the state of New Hampshire. We are blessed to live in the Granite State (“where the women are strong, the men are good-looking, and the children are above-average!”). Even though we are pretty selective, we do let Vermonters visit us, now and again!

Thanks to the organizations in Bristol, and the NH Humanities Council, for sponsoring this event. Most of all, thanks to Eric Bye for a wonderful program!

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications