The banjo is instrumental (pardon the pun) in American music. Originally descended from traditional African instruments, it plays a major role in bluegrass and country and even pops up occasionally in rock, jazz and fusion. Nothing else sounds like it, and it's a fun instrument to play.
Now it's easy to get started playing banjo - Fender's FB-300 Banjo Pack includes a Fender banjo, gig bag, strings, tuner, picks and an instructional book. Ever...