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Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/278615/2
The Pope - Posted - 01/28/2014: 11:07:29
Sorry to hear that Pete passed. I started learning banjo from his book...
RIP Pete. 
mikehalloran - Posted - 01/28/2014: 11:25:57
I don't believe I would have taken up the banjo were it not for Pete. "So long, it's been good to know you!" RIP.
Tam_Zeb - Posted - 01/28/2014: 12:14:29
Pete's death was reported on BBC News today. Nice tribute to a Folk Music Legend
I can recall watching him on an old monochrome TV back in the fifties and early sixties with the Weavers later with Johnny Cash and June Carter and with Elisabeth Cotton. He used to feature a lot on the News during the protest years. Loved his music and his songs. He touched many people with his music his beliefs and his political opinions and will be sorely missed by many people from around the world.
May he rest in peace picking his banjo.
Edited by - Tam_Zeb on 01/28/2014 12:21:12
dmiller - Posted - 01/28/2014: 12:50:41
Jim Yates - Posted - 01/28/2014: 13:06:02
Jim Stripling aka gDGBD, Thanks for posting Pete's Goofing Off Suite. The bonus track is Pete's mandolin version of Woody's Rag by Woody Guthrie. This was recorded before Pete decided to play 12 string guitar exclusively.
Inflexible35 - Posted - 01/28/2014: 14:21:33
I think our country is just a little less interesting a place to be tonight.
iluvearl - Posted - 01/28/2014: 17:51:48
I think it was the summer of '62 that I got a copy of Pete's How to Play the Five String Banjo and learned how to "hammer on" and "pull off" and how to read tablature and pick Foggy Mountain Breakdown in Scrugg's style; I'm still pickin' and I guess it's about time to say "Thank you, Pete, for giving an ole Southern boy a lifetime of musical enjoyment!"
saulsmanb - Posted - 01/28/2014: 18:25:14
As a young boy, I heard either Alex Hassilev or Pete Seeger on a daily basis on the family record player thanks to my parents. That music undoubtedly shaped who I'm today. Pete's voice has a resonance that still gives me chills. I always felt invited to "sing along" because of Pete' amazing rapport with hs audience.
He was a man I would loved to have met...
Brian Saulsman
chuckv97 - Posted - 01/28/2014: 18:32:36
Johnny C. on Pete's show - just a twitchin' and movin' around . Must've been during his crazy pill days - I mean the guy was only about 34 years old , but looked 60, and looked downright dangerous -spooky, whew! I always loved the guy and his music - glad he found a way out of that madness later on. Pete at his best doing "Little Birdie".
TB-4 Guy - Posted - 01/28/2014: 18:42:48
quote:
Originally posted by KstevensmdHe was such an inspiration to many for many reasons. I cherish my copy of his 5 sting banjo instruction book.
I still have mine as well. He was an interesting and inspiring man. I shall miss him.
ChuckS - Posted - 01/28/2014: 19:17:25
Pete at the gospel sing-a-long at Clearwater Fest. Nobody there was having more fun!
This is pretty much the reason I picked up a banjo.
mainejohn - Posted - 01/29/2014: 05:33:30
Back in '09, as a tribute to Pete on his 90th birthday, I built (to the best of my ability) a reproduction of his iconic lignum vitae longneck. I took pictures and sent them to him on his birthday, never expecting to hear back from him. Three weeks later (ironically, on my birthday) an envelope arrived, and he had not only autographed the photos I had sent him, but had taken the time to write a note, giving me tips how to repair the peghead if it were to ever suffer the same fate as his. The card and autographed photos will stay with the banjo to eventually be passed down to a grandchild.
 A card from Pete |
Montanarick - Posted - 01/29/2014: 06:02:27
quote:Very cool mainejohn!!!'
Originally posted by mainejohnBack in '09, as a tribute to Pete on his 90th birthday, I built (to the best of my ability) a reproduction of his iconic lignum vitae longneck. I took pictures and sent them to him on his birthday, never expecting to hear back from him. Three weeks later (ironically, on my birthday) an envelope arrived, and he had not only autographed the photos I had sent him, but had taken the time to write a note, giving me tips how to repair the peghead if it were to ever suffer the same fate as his. The card and autographed photos will stay with the banjo to eventually be passed down to a grandchild.
raybob - Posted - 01/29/2014: 08:50:37
I was fortunate to see Pete perform a few times. Once he was with Arlo, and I considered that a very special evening indeed. There are so many things to say now that he's gone, but I will say that I've always drawn inspiration from him and his music. And I've always seen him as a real true American.
Thanks for everything, Pete! RIP
mrbook - Posted - 01/29/2014: 10:39:53
I was reading through my 1962 copy of his book yesterday, and chuckled when I read that he had never actually filed the copyright papers, so people should feel free to copy anything they liked. Refreshing in this day and age, although of course that was another time (at my age I forget). Thinking back, I feel lucky that at the age of fourteen I never had the courage to try his simple instructions for lengthening my banjo neck. His question on p. 18 (How do you get that clean crisp tone?) and the answer ((Practice) is advice that everyone should follow.
I saw him in concert a few times, and learned a lot from his records. His American Industrial Ballads (Folkways) would go with me to a desert island. I'm glad I got to see him one last time at Farm Aid last fall. He was larger than life, as always.
Bronx banjo - Posted - 01/29/2014: 11:03:19
A man of principle and integrity is gone. Hopefully, he left behind both his musical and personal legacies for us to follow.
Jim Yates - Posted - 01/29/2014: 11:03:32
From President Barak Obama:
"Once called 'America's tuning fork,' Pete Seeger believed deeply in the power of song. But more importantly, he believed in the power of community -- to stand up for what's right, speak out against what's wrong, and move this country closer to the America he knew we could be. Over the years, Pete used his voice -- and his hammer -- to strike blows for worker's rights and civil rights; world peace and environmental conservation. And he always invited us to sing along. For reminding us where we come from and showing us where we need to go, we will always be grateful to Pete Seeger. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayer to Pete's family and all those who loved him."
Jack Baker - Posted - 01/29/2014: 11:32:17
Hi Patrick,Thank you for that wonderful post and information about Pete. I remember Pete so well going all the wayback to the old Folklore Center days with Izzy Young and Marc Silber c. late 1960s. Pete would come to the Village in NYC and visit Izzy Young and thought nothing about joining in with anyone who was playing a guitar or banjo or whatever. When you talked with Pete, you knew you were talking to someone who really counted and knew what he was talking about.Pete invited me and many others to his home in upstate NY to get together for a group sing a long. Toshi was always there with a great smile on her face. Pete talked Politics but never in a condescending manner. He just saw the world and this great Country his way. I sure believed in almost all he had to say about current events.My childhood is now officially over....bye Pete, you will never be forgotten...Jack Baker NYCOriginally posted by pbarge
quote:
Originally posted by palmettopickerhudsonvalleyreporter.com/dutch...ger-dies/
Edited by - Jack Baker on 01/29/2014 11:34:49
stanger - Posted - 01/29/2014: 12:12:23
I have two musical fathers: Pete Seeger and Earl Scruggs. They both changed the course of my life forever, to such a degree that I cannot even imagine what my life would have been without their influences on me.
I must have read a hundred tributes, reflections, and thoughts on Pete yesterday, and I watched videos of him for hours.
One thing gradually became apparent to me; Pete was never complete without a banjo in his hands. There are few pictures of him, in public, or in private, where he doesn't have his banjo slung over his back or by his side. It was his other voice, always, and when his own voice grew rough and feeble from old age, his banjo did all his singing for him. His voice may have failed, but his hands never did.
Pete was a very subtle virtuoso. He took everything he learned from others and smoothly integrated it all into his own unique and extremely versatile playing style. Although he's though of as being a strummer, he was also a very accomplished 3-finger player who learned some of the Scruggs basics, but used them in his own way. His banjo playing slips in and out of all the ways of playing the 5-string so easily it astonished me.
For Pete, it was all of a piece. Whatever worked best for a brief phrase was used. He could go from a strum to claw hammer to anything he needed freely, and he mostly played with picks on his fingers, but never threw one off as he played. He could play in any rhythm, in any time signature, and could play harmony and melody at the same time with great ease. He knew when to keep his playing simple, and knew when the music needed to be complex. EVerything was done in service of the melody, always.
As with much in his life, Pete's playing is a good example for us all. His playing had no limits, no rights or wrongs, and no purity of style in it. It was all encompassing.
And always, always, beautiful sounding.
His banjos reflected the entirety of his life. They were simple, plain, sturdy, and just really good musical tools. His long neck was simply the best way ever devised to change keys quickly and smoothly on an instrument that is uniquely difficult in key changes. It may be unwieldy, but it's the perfect singer's banjo, and he used his to it's fullest abilities.
regards,
stanger
pickNgrin - Posted - 01/29/2014: 12:18:04
mrphysics.. we had the same idea at about the same time. 
Edited by - pickNgrin on 01/29/2014 12:19:49
mutantmoose - Posted - 01/29/2014: 12:43:31
The one bit of humor I took from a blues forum was this - "Guess it's safe for Dylan to play electric now."
raharris - Posted - 01/29/2014: 13:46:25
Some of us are joining the new Pete Seeger's Music group:
banjohangout.org/group/peteseegersmusic
Post reminiscences, music, etc -- the group is dedicated to Pete's music: style, teaching, concerts, & discography and whatever else you want to be.
Peace --
leslie benjamin - Posted - 01/29/2014: 14:15:57
The world has lost a bit of its soul. I learned to play guitar using Pete's "America's Favorite Ballads"....And today I still use those faithful D,G, and A chords. Add in an Em and Am and now I can improvise most anything.
Pete was the loving guide who encouraged me to "do it my own way".
This year I bought a banjo. (I wanted the Pete Seeger "special" but couldn't afford it.) The instruction book I got myself is okay, but it wasn't my Pete's style. So I ordered his 5 String Banjo book a week ago, and would you believe, it
ARRIVED THE VERY DAY OF HIS DEATH. This book will be extra special to me....it was like his way of saying "Farewell" to me. So long, Pete, it's "been good to know ya!"
KidfromDeliverance - Posted - 01/29/2014: 15:13:18
On the one hand, it's hard to call the passing of an old man a tragedy, since it's the natural course of things, and we should all be so lucky to live so long; but on the other, it's hard to have to lose such an unassuming, yet great-hearted human being who touched and inspired so many. I consider myself fortunate to have had the experience of being part of an audience happily singing together at the urging of this man. Wasn't that a time . . .
markfbanjode - Posted - 01/29/2014: 15:28:09
R.I.P. Pete. Seeger. Thanks for sharing you talent with people thru the years. Prayers go out to the Seeger family.
NDJohn - Posted - 01/29/2014: 16:02:13
1962, with my brand new Harmony Resotone and brand new red-backed copy of "How to Play the 5-String Banjo." 52 years later and I still am amazed by the power of this gentle giant. Rest in peace, Mr. Pete.
John
banjoman 1 - Posted - 01/29/2014: 16:52:02
Pete was awesome. He is sure to be dearly missed. I still have his banjo book-- the first banjo book I ever bought............Rest in peace Pete
JanetB - Posted - 01/29/2014: 16:56:40
Here's part of a Reading Rainbow video he took part in, a favorite in my first grade class.
youtube.com/watch?v=ovaRSnHfzQw
whytelaydie7 - Posted - 01/29/2014: 17:04:24
I saw a lot of Pete when I was young, as my dad was involved in the beacon sloop club, and I sailed on the Woody Guthrie, many times.
I will miss him, and I truly regret that I didn't try to catch up with him over the past few years as I was passing through the Hudson Valley.
I've attached a note he left for my dad many years ago on the sloop club door.
 Pete's note |
From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 01/29/2014: 17:33:58
quote:
Originally posted by banjopaolom.youtube.com/watch?v=DNgdLuj50UU
Yes a man of great character but in listening to the above T for Texas singing and playing of Pete, I am reminded, was there ever a banjo player with more versatility with the instrument. I remember listening to his instruction album and being amazed at the many ways Pete could use the banjo.
Ken
banjomac - Posted - 01/29/2014: 20:04:01
Listening to Pete's music and reflecting on his life and his influence on mine, I couldn't keep from smiling. He had a way that would warm your heart.
Pete Seeger will be missed.
Paul R - Posted - 01/29/2014: 20:37:26
The world has lost a towering, peaceful. persona. But his presence still remains.
Personal notes? Not many - I saw him a couple of times, at the Mariposa Folk Festival in the seventies, and at Ontario Place in the early eighties with Arlo (see pic). But his influence was there from the start - his columns in Sing Out! when I started playing guitar in '65, his guitar instruction record, and his little red banjo book.
Along the way were encounters with many people and pickers - professional and amateur - whom he influenced, and the gradual realization that he was more than a musician. His music and his life were one, and he was a man of principle. He paid for his principles, but they never broke him. He just kept on teaching. "Tomorrow is a highway broad and fair, and we are the many who build it there." Rest in peace, Johnny Appleseed, Jr.
The best tribute I've heard so far is this rebroadcast , last night, of the CBC Radio One programme, Ideas, originally produced some years ago: cbc.ca/ideas/episodes/2014/01/...seeger-1/
epman - Posted - 01/29/2014: 20:58:17
An incredible human being in so many different ways...RIP ,Pete
Bluesage - Posted - 01/29/2014: 21:57:14
He left this world a much better place than when he entered it; we won't see his kind again.
Mike Iverson
Brooklynbanjoboy - Posted - 01/30/2014: 01:53:16
I think he had a good life. I think he understood that his musical work had impact in many different ways, at many levels. I also think he was extraordinarily brave about his personal political beliefs during a time when that represented a considerable risk in this country.
I still have my red banjo book. It was more than just an instructional text. It introduced me to the importance of knowing the history and cultural context of the tunes I was trying to learn.
I met him after a Smithsonian show sometime in the late 1990s. A museum official, a friend of mine -- and a banjo player -- brought me backstage for a nice chat. I had a banjo with me, and he gladly signed the head and then realized that he had signed it where constant down stroking would erase his name. So he signed it again.
I always admired that unique signature with the little banjo flourish, and I join all you BHO friends who have said all these nice things about him in mourning this loss.
As Pete wrote:
Well may the world go,
The world go, the world go,
Well may the world go,
When I'm far away.
Well may the skiers turn,
The swimmers churn, the lovers burn
Peace, may the generals learn
When I'm far away.
Sweet may the fiddle sound
The banjo play the old hoe down
Dancers swing round and round
When I'm far away.
Fresh may the breezes blow
Clear may the streams flow
Blue above, green below
When I'm far away
V/R,
Lew
daytripper - Posted - 01/30/2014: 01:54:07
here's s piece on Seeger & the banjo:
theatlantic.com/technology/arc...r/283414/
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