In the Feb. 2, 1863 atricle in which the name Mark Twain first appears, the article concludes with the writer playing the piano. I can't speak to the banjo, but he did claim some musical talent in that writing. Bob Stewart In a message dated 2/8/2013 4:36:47 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, [log in to unmask] writes: I can't remember ever hearing that [Sam Clemens] played the banjo. Just recently a friend lent me his copy of a Mark Twain edition in 1929 which included an article by Cyril Clemens talking about visiting the Gilles family in our California foothills. I'd love to hear that it is TRUE Mark Twain played the banjo. Can any of you confirm or deny this story? It is the bass voice and the banjo playing that has me interested. Overland Monthly and Out West Magazine April 1929 Founded by Bret Harte in 1868; and Mark Twain Number Vol 87 April 1929 No. 4 Article by Cyril Clemens: "A Visit to Mark Twain's Country" . Arianne Laidlaw