Violin construction and mechanics four open strings, usually tuned to G, D, A, and E. The strings run from a tailpiece attached to the base, across a wooden bridge, continue towards the neck of the instrument running parallel to the fingerboard, and connect to the pegbox located at the very top of the violin. They are wound around four tuning pegs that are mounted sideways through holes in the pegbox. The bridge helps to hold the strings in place, while the pegs maintain the tension necessary to produce vibration. Strings were first made of sheep's intestines (called "catgut"), stretched, dried and twisted. Contrary to
Music history of the United States during the colonial era on the State of Virginia", which refers to it as a "banjar", and notes that the instrument came from Africa. Other names included "bangoe", "banshaw", "bangelo", "banza", "bangil" and "banjer". The instrument was described in West Africa as early as 1620 by Richard Jobson, but was present for some time before. In North America, the banjo was typically made by hollowing out a gourd or calabash and attaching a long neck. The slaves then stretched a piece of animal hide, usually raccoon, over the bowl and attached four strings. Jefferson claimed that the "banjar" with which he was familiar was