Earl Scruggs, the man who reinvented the banjo as a solo virtuoso instrument, has died at the age of 88. Scruggs invented a style, the three finger picking style of banjo playing distinct from the ancient Clawhammer technique. Scruggs style is precise, rhythmic, dizzyingly fast and took the banjo from the back of the band and brought it down front. The Takeaway pays tribute to Scruggs, who played his instrument like no one had ever before played it and changed music forever.
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