Brain Teasers
An American Invention
They say I came from Africa.
I suppose that may be true.
But the type I am was mostly played
In a place where grass is blue.
Of wood and pearl, skin and steel,
You could say I am high strung.
My neck looks like a ladder,
With brass on every rung.
What am I?
I suppose that may be true.
But the type I am was mostly played
In a place where grass is blue.
Of wood and pearl, skin and steel,
You could say I am high strung.
My neck looks like a ladder,
With brass on every rung.
What am I?
Hint
Plunk around and you should get it.Answer
A 5-string banjo.A 4-string "banjar" was brought to the US by enslaved African people in the 18th century. An individual named Joel Walter Sweeny of Appomattox Court House, VA, is credited with inventing the 5-string banjo when he adapted the banjar by adding a 5th string. The 5-string banjo was most popularized by its use in Bluegrass Music. Brass is used on the frets of the Banjo neck.
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Comments
Very nice teaser zona! I really like this one and would like to see more like it! Keep them coming!
Well wrtten and very good teaser.
Nice job, Zona!!
i liked it!
It remined me of my pony
It remined me of my pony
i liked it!
It remined me of my pony
It remined me of my pony
Sep 17, 2005
thought,'guitar' at first, the banjo - of course! This was a fun one!
it was kool. not one of ma favorites but it was kool.
After 37 years - I'm still impressed! You have a wonderful brain and a fabulous way with words!!! You will always be my favorite
Very impressive zonahobo, well done. Keep them coming, as i really enjoyed trying my hand at this one.
Kind of funny to see comments from my wife here .. how communication has changed! .. Thanks for the compliments friends.. There is something kind of cheery about this instruement .. the cheery comments are nice too!
Good one, had me going , but got it, keep them coming
Wonderful!! and a history lesson too!! Boy the things you learn at Braingle- Love and got it- Thank You
a pleasing addition
to my favorites page
and in fine tradition
of my poetic rage
Keep up the good work !
to my favorites page
and in fine tradition
of my poetic rage
Keep up the good work !
Very well written indeed! A fun way to start the day. Many thanks!
This was a very well written and very fun.good job!
Have to agree with everyone. Really nice teaser. I guessed it was a guitar, so I didn't really get it correct, but was on the right track. Thanks for posting.
Enjoyed this one, especially the info. Thanks
Great teaser, and I learned something new. ( thought it was guitar).
I really liked this one. Please write more
That was a great teaser, and very educational. I had no idea it originated in Africa. Goes to show you learn something new everyday.
Monday~
Monday~
Very Poetic. I like it. I leaned first towards the guitar but then
decided on banjo because of the
skin part. Interesting History Too
Thank you, an enjoyable way to get my brain working this moring.
decided on banjo because of the
skin part. Interesting History Too
Thank you, an enjoyable way to get my brain working this moring.
I gathered that it was part of the plucked string family (before reading the clue) but I didn't pick a specific one (banjo)
Cute!!!
keep on Pluckin"
Great explanation along with the answer!
Great teaser too... a bit easy but thoroughly enjoyable.
Great teaser too... a bit easy but thoroughly enjoyable.
Good history Knew it was an instrument!
I KNEW THIS RIGHT AWAY. WHERE ELSE BUT KENTUCKY IS THERE 'BLUEGRASS?' OLE ROY AND BUCK WOULD BE PROUD. HEE HAW
Excellent poetry in your riddle!
Good one I knew it was an instrument...probably a guitar or banjo.....but 5 stringed -instead of 4 stringed -I don't think so
That made me think... Nice one!!!
Nice surprise to have teaser of the day. Thanks everyone for your kind comments. I have a Banjo I punish occaisonally, so this one was close to hime.
I meant home for anyone confused by my typo.
It is close to Zonarita's home state of Kentucky too!
It is close to Zonarita's home state of Kentucky too!
Nice teaser, the Africa/bluegrass gave it away for me! Again, nice teaser.
Thanks for a good one, very easy, but well done.
With all the new teasers sent in, you would think the editors could get off their lazy butts and give something beside repeats.
I really enjoyed the writing! It was so well written that I was able to guess it straight away!!!!
Doehead, I'd never seen this, so if it weren't repeated, I couldn't have enjoyed it!
Zonohobo, I don't often get riddles, but it was so well written that you painted a very clear picture that led to the banjo! Thank you!
Zonohobo, I don't often get riddles, but it was so well written that you painted a very clear picture that led to the banjo! Thank you!
ZonAhobo, SORRY!
Fun! Figured a banjo but wasn't specific in my thinking as to a 5-string banjo. Half-credit? Very well written!
Thanks for the comment.. had a little fun writing it. Wish I could play the Banjo well.
Blue grass gave it to me also. Good one!
OLD AND STILL EASY.
My clues were bluegrass and skins. What else could it be but a banjo?......and that is the way my mind works.
I had to work my way through to figure it out (I was being too general at first with Folk Music, then Bluegrass music). I absolutely love the history lesson with the answer!
Well written, but more suitable for the juniors me thinks?
Got it right away! I liked the way it was written- more, please!
I just answered Banjo. I'm not sure how 5-string Banjo was specifically referenced.
I love the use of idioms like "high strung". I also liked the imagery of a ladder with brass rungs.
Very easy to solve, but very well written. Quite entertaining.
I love the use of idioms like "high strung". I also liked the imagery of a ladder with brass rungs.
Very easy to solve, but very well written. Quite entertaining.
Fun and entertaining teaser. I got banjo very quickly. I was not aware of the difference in strings.
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