Question

seventeenth - century africans introduced colonial americans to the banjo and drum. the drum and other percussive instruments were usually made of whichever materials were available. but the banjo, originally called a “banja,” “banjar,” or “banshaw,” was typically crafted from a gourd, horsehair strings, animal skin, and a stick. although not normally associated with modern african american music, the banjo is thought to have originated from west african lutes. the banjo became an integral part of early american music genres when european immigrants to the appalachian mountains of the united states began rewriting folksongs using this instrument. it grew popular in a number of genres, including jazz and bluegrass. which best explains how the paragraph on page 2 impacts the authors overall message? by tracing the origins of specific instruments, the author begins to show the impact of african musical elements on american music. by discussing the significance of specific instruments, the author establishes similarities in african and american songwriting styles. by explaining how african instruments were made, the author begins to draw parallels with how american instruments are made. by describing the history of african and american musical instruments, the author stresses how little the instruments have changed.

Explanation:

The paragraph traces the origin of the banjo and drum from Africa to America, showing African - musical influence on American music. It highlights how African - introduced instruments became integral to American music genres.

Answer:

By tracing the origins of specific instruments, the author begins to show the impact of African musical elements on American music.