Bruce Molsky, a Grammy-nominated guitarist, banjoist and singer, performed a short concert at Hamilton College to help kick off Family Weekend. A native of the Bronx, Molsky plays old-time southern Appalachian fiddle music. This music, according to Molsky, dates back 250 years in America, and draws from various cultures all over the world. Predating radio and television, Molsky's music, also known as "early rural country music," combines bluegrass tunes, Scots/Irish sounds, and West African beats and syncopation. With the recent publicity of the music from the film, Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? Molksy's music is becoming more and more mainstream, and has had a great effect on all types of music today, including pop music.
Molsky began his perfomace with two-jointed songs on the fiddle. The fiddle, according to Molsky, differs greatly from other fretted instruments and keyboards. This difference allows the musician to play with and push around the strings of the instrument, creating new notes and tunings. The artist is able to manipulate the instrument to flatten and shape different notes, giving blues music its bluesy quality. Although to many it may sound slightly off-key, it is an acquired taste, according to Molsky.
Continuing with musical selections on the banjo, Molsky wowed the audience with his quick fingers and syncopated tunes. He told the audience that the banjo hails from Western Africa, and it was the slaves who brought it to the United States. Today, the banjo is a fixture in both country and "American" music. The banjo, considered to be a drum or percussion instrument at its basics, permits musicians to syncopate rhythms. The different rhythms and key signatures that a banjo creates is ideal for dancing; the instrument allows the upbeat to be emphasized, therefore allowing dancers to move to the music. Molsky finished up his performance with several pieces on his guitar, treating the audience to his own stories to music.
--written by Emily Lemanczyk '05
