Cacophony

Cacophony - {kuh-kof-uh-nee} noun, a discordant and meaningless mixture of sounds

Laughing, crying, yelling children; barking dog; singing voices; spinning washer and humming dryer; tapping computer keyboards; slamming doors; ringing cell phones; sizzling saute pan; pick, pick, picking of a banjo...  Woah, yes, I said banjo!

The cousin of the drum and the descendant of African instruments brought to America by African slaves, the banjo is considered by many to be the only uniquely American instrument.  Ask most people about the banjo and the words bluegrass music aren't far behind.  The truth be known though, the banjo has been the chosen instrument of many minstrels, vaudeville entertainers, and jazz, country, and folk musicians as well.

The popularity of the banjo is credited to Joel Walker Sweeney who in the 1830s traveled the east coast performing with and leading the Virginia Minstrels.  Many stories exist regarding his banjo playing and while it's hard to tell if his banjo playing toes were fact or fictional lore, the truth remains that his playing prompted a widespread popularity of the instrument.  With its beginnings in the south, the banjo soon was being played up the United States' east coast, even in New York.  Europe jumped on the banjo wagon as well beginning with performances for Queen Victoria and working its way through Scotland and Ireland.  By the 20th century the instrument's popularity seemed grounded in both Europe and America.

Now into the 21st century, the banjo has found its popularity again in the South - with none other than my oldest one-of-three.  since last winter she has talked and talked about wanting to learn to play the banjo.  As her 14th birthday present, she was given banjo lessons.  This summer she has been finger rolling and finger picking her way through a varied repertoire - Foggy Mountain Breakdown, Dueling Banjos, Rainbow Connection...

  

 

So, yes, the banjo is now another sound that has been added to the plethora of sounds in our noisy home.  Quite honestly, I wouldn't have our home be any other way.  When I look at that definition of cacophony, I have to think that maybe Webster made a typo.  Because in our cacophony of chaos, my definition would be "a discordant and incredibly meaningful mixture of sounds."  Sweet music to my ears -