Pete Seeger Research Paper

Folk singer Pete Seeger was born in New York, New York in 1919. His father was a musical man and taught at the University of California in Berkeley, as well as Julliard. His mother taught violin at Julliard as well, although she would have preferred to be a traveling violinist if she did not have a family to care for. Seeger’s brother and sister became musicians as well. It seems Seeger was destined to be a musician himself. However, his parents did not agree on how to educate Seeger about music. His mother wanted Seeger to be a classically trained musician, where as his father wanted him to “enjoy himself” then “see what happens.” Seeger was surrounded by instruments in his home, and joined the jazz band in prep school. Seeger recalls when his father took him to a square dance – which is when he said he realized there was a wealth of music in the U.S. He recalls meeting Woody Gunthrie, a man who …show more content…
He had worked with folk singers like Gunthrie before World War II, but after the war ended he formed “The Weavers.” Some of these songs are still played today, such as “Turn! Turn! Turn!” Seeger commented on this particular song, referencing the line “a time to kill,” noting, “we are all descendants of good killers.” This was one of the most profound statements I have ever heard, and speaks to his opinions of society as a whole. Another one of his songs, “If I had a Hammer,” is one of those songs I’m sure anyone who has taken piano or guitar lessons, can play by heart. It is one of those classics everyone knows. We still see Seeger’s influence today – whether it is the elementary music teacher playing one of his songs on the guitar, or the teenager who thinks they are going to bring peace to the world listening to “Turn! Turn! Turn!” He is an unforgettable icon in American history, and in