Unstrung Gourd Project: From Seed to Sound

The Unstrung Gourd Project is a Swan Strings initiative exploring the cultural roots of the banjo through agriculture, instrument-making, music education, and community storytelling. In partnership with Bonton Farms, Oak Cliff Guitars, and the Black Banjo Reclamation Project, we grow bottle gourds and transform them into playable instruments while honoring the banjo's African origins and its contributions to American folk music. Through hands-on workshops, community collaborations, and free music instruction, Unstrung connects generations through the journey from seed to sound, preserving musical traditions while cultivating new opportunities for creativity and cultural exchange.