The Impact of Earl Scruggs on the Five String Banjo

Abstract

With its distinct sound and virtuoso playing style, the five string banjo is of central importance to bluegrass music, and most banjo playing in bluegrass is based on the style of the central individual Earl Scruggs. In this thesis, a technical insight to the playing techniques used on the banjo in bluegrass music is achieved using transcriptions, and both technical and musical analysis. Historical context for both the banjo as an instrument, bluegrass as a genre and Earl Scruggs as a musician and innovator is given through literature studies. Findings include technical intricacies not previously discussed in an academic context, discoveries about phrasing on the banjo through deconstructions of musical phrases, and dispelling of popular myths in this particular subset of American music history.