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| The modern banjo dates to the late 18th and early 19th century. Early modern banjos used in irish traditional music started dropping the fifth string still used in bluegrass music in the United States. Then the instrument could be tuned like a mandolin which caught on. Early banjos were used in accompaniment in songs and tunes, possibly being plucked by the finger. The banjo was brought to the United States in about 1900 by an Irish emigrant and has been popularized ever since. It has a unique sound and is found in most traditional music and popular in Irish music sessions. |
