album · July 15, 1954

How To Play The 5-String Banjo

Pete Seeger

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Folkways RecordsSee this day

folksinger-songwriter

This 1954 album from Folkways Records provided Seeger's initial recordings on the 5-string banjo, an instrument he would later popularize for a new generation of folk musicians. It arrived during his tenure as a prominent voice in topical and protest songs.

• The album was recorded and released by Folkways Records in 1954. It featured instructional elements alongside musical performances. Seeger’s banjo technique on this record would influence countless aspiring players.
• This release followed Seeger's departure from The Weavers and came before his most significant commercial successes. It cemented his reputation as a banjo virtuoso and educator within the burgeoning folk scene.
• The album stands as a foundational text for aspiring 5-string banjo players, offering a clear, direct approach to the instrument. Its release predates Seeger's 1960s commercial peak but lays the groundwork for his enduring legacy.

Pete Seeger was an American folk singer, songwriter, and activist. He was a leading figure in the folk music revival of the mid-20th century.