You know the book. Here's the vinyl edition! Not too long ago I spotted this gem in the “new arrivals” used bins at my local record shop for $8. I couldn't pass it up. The cover alone was worth it.
Pete Seeger (1919-2014) self-published the first edition of How to Play the 5-String Banjo, the foundational banjo instructional book, in 1948. He recorded this complementary album for Folkways Records in 1954.
The record comes with a foldout pamphlet, reprinting some of the information found in Seeger's book, plus a transcript of the album and musical notation. You can download the pamphlet for free at the Smithsonian Folkways website. (Smithsonian purchased Folkways from founder Moses Asch in 1987.)
On the album Seeger provides examples of basic tunings, strums and techniques such as hammer-ons and pull-offs and other aspects of playing. He also talks about various styles, such double-thumbing, frailing, three-finger picking, as well as playing blues, jazz, Spanish and South American playing styles.
While my own banjo playing is beyond what Seeger teaches on this record, it’s still a neat document for a banjo enthusiast and nice addition to my old-time vinyl collection.
Now in its third edition, Seeger’s seminal book remains in print, and you can even get this album on CD or a digital download. Despite some outdated information, the book remains one of the top resources suggested to new players 71 years after it was first published.
The record comes with a foldout pamphlet, reprinting some of the information found in Seeger's book, plus a transcript of the album and musical notation. You can download the pamphlet for free at the Smithsonian Folkways website. (Smithsonian purchased Folkways from founder Moses Asch in 1987.)
While my own banjo playing is beyond what Seeger teaches on this record, it’s still a neat document for a banjo enthusiast and nice addition to my old-time vinyl collection.
Now in its third edition, Seeger’s seminal book remains in print, and you can even get this album on CD or a digital download. Despite some outdated information, the book remains one of the top resources suggested to new players 71 years after it was first published.
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