(a) I agree with those who say that "Bluegrass" originally meant what Bill Monroe said it was: five specific instruments, a specific pattern of vocal harmonies, neckties, and no smiling on stage because you don't want to be mistaken for doofus hillbillies. I just play trad/folk/roots, but whenever I pick up the banjo (excuse the pun), some enthusiast says, "Oh, Bluegrass!" and I smile modestly (grandma made me practice) and say "I wish."

(b) At the risk of starting the Civil War over again, the 5-string banjo is not a North American invention. See Groves' Dictionary of Music. Various sea-captains, be they merchants or slavers [or explorers looking for Stutz Bearcats], reported five-string banjos prior to 1800. MAYBE they were spin-offs from some Portuguese instrument, since the Portuguese started slaving and trading along the West African coast as early as 1444.

Jean Richie, I believe, will tell you that the Kentucky dulcimer is a North American instrument without European antecedents. The autoharp was invented here, though by a recently arrived German instrument maker. I believe the ukelin and the sousaphone were invented in America also, but not the banjo.

CC