One striking aspect that emerges from research studying a range of U.K. primary sources, is the extent of highly accomplished finger-style playing at grassroots level in the two decades pre-WW2. And this in an era where the modern trope is that the banjo was in decline as a result of the rise in popularity of dance bands. A more nuanced and accurate overview is that whilst there was competition and a decline in overall popularity, a sizeable nationwide nucleus of player’s ability markedly improved.
In discussing finger-style banjo it would be an omission not to acknowledge this high point. But also disingenuous and somewhat misleading not to highlight the now forgotten social structure that correlates with - and explains - that grassroots high standard.
That is: a system of structured and adjudicated assessment, in conjunction with a nationwide network of well-attended banjo clubs. Not just in London, not only in cities, but in fact a network from Weston-Super Mare to Leigh-on-Sea, and Kettering and Bournemouth to Blackburn.
Edited by - EEB on 09/18/2026 02:14:05
With the US, in those decades of decline (1920-1930, but I will include the late 1910s) we, or rather the first generation of banjo music publishers, created our own fall with the A v. C notation problem.
This 1908/1909 shift created a confusing mess of two notation systems that no doubt caused many would be young banjoists to say "no thank you, I'll play plectrum or tenor banjo".
No doubt these shifts at the level of music had significant practical effect. However there is a tendency to look at ‘micro’ level change in isolation from the wider world. The cultural shift pre-WW2 compared to post-WW2 were seismic on every level. There are, understandably, tens of millions of words dedicated to an analysis of the white heat of WW2, but by comparison only a tiny fraction of words with a focus on the pre-war generation and the cultural gulf with their post-war boomer offspring. Relevant to the banjo? Yes, in the sense that everything derives from, and is shaped by culture. In 1945 the UK infrastructure, especially housing was brick dust and rubble. Community laid waste is cultural continuity laid waste. To a large extent a blank slate awaiting and subject to the new.
Edited by - EEB on 09/19/2026 02:48:32
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