When African people were initially brought to the American colonies; instruments such as drums were banned. This ban stemmed from the Europeans’ fear, the drum was a communications device the enslaved use to secretly exchange messages without their knowledge. Although brought over from Africa as well, the fiddle was viewed differently. The fiddle was well liked among most Europeans. It gained great popularity within both African and European cultures. Due to its popularity, often times, slave masters would have enslaved persons play the fiddle at their social events. Since Black fiddlers and White fiddlers had two different playing styles and techniques, Black fiddlers would combine the two thereby accomdating Europeans while holding onto their traditional style. This incredible fusion became the genre known today as secular folk music.