Bill Keith & Tony Trischka Discuss Melodic Style Banjo

Bill Keith discusses the development of Melodic Style Banjo with Tony Trischka (artistworks.com/tony-trischka). Bill plays one of his famous tunes "Devil's Dream" in the video, which was actually the first to incorporate the melodic style which he invented.
Tony Trischka on Bill Keith:
"As many of us were, I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Bill Keith. The doors of banjo music were unlocked through his influence, allowing us to explore a rich lode of creative territory quite separate from the genius of Scruggs style. His melodic approach enabled the progressive arm of banjodom to fully bloom.
"Not everyone chose the melodic pathway, though I recently watched JD Crowe execute a complete and perfectly melodic version of 'Devil's Dream', which he learned from Bill. Bill also gave us Keith pegs and shared his passion for teaching in countless workshop situations and one on one encounters.
"He was my hero growing up (and still is). In 1966 I was jamming at the Folklore Center in New York City with a friend of mine prior to seeing Bill Monroe at the Gaslight cafe. Moments later Bill walked in with Peter Rowan. I was 17 and nervously introduced myself. Bill proceeded to sit down with me for an hour, selflessly sharing his knowledge to this high school kid who idolized him.
"Thank you Bill for everything you gave to us." - Tony Trischka

[@banjorino]

I didn't really get to know Bill much, but he was truly a gentleman when he mailed me. He came across my Keith tuner songs, and wanted to give me a Keith tuner t-shirt. I am forever grateful. 🙏🏽Rest in peace Bill. ❤️

[@shayfitzsimons5823]

I met Bill for the first time in Dublin back in the early 80s. I was in awe that night listening to him playing. When the band took a break, the band being Bill Keith, Mark O connor, and the wonderful Jim Rooney. Bill went to the bar, I felt I just had to meet him. So I walked right up to him and said, Hi Bill, introduced myself and asked if I could buy him a drink. So for the price of a coke, we started talking. Little did I know at the time, I was conversing with one of the most beautiful human beings God ever put on this earth. I met Bill several times after, and although I knew he did'nt remember me. He always made me feel like he was talking to an old friend. One night after Bill did a gig in Athy (Ireland ) I tried to talk to him, but the security would not let me backstage. However as luck would have it, Bill saw me and asked the security to let me through. Bill then brought me into the dressing room, where we discussed the music we loved playing. I told him I was trying to play his version of Caravan. A tuun as Bill would say, written by one of the ( Uncles ) of Bluegrass ... Duke Ellington. Bill then opened his Banjo case, handed me his Banjo and said let's hear you. He then proceeded to give me a lesson and again I was in awe with this man. When I got the news of his passing, I really felt so sad. The world is a better place with people like Bill Keith living in it. Rest In Peace Bill I will never forget you.

[@matthewwildrick9643]

This is a great story! I met Bill Keith some 15 years ago at a banjo camp in the north east US. I was just starting to learn how to play and he sat with me for about an hour -- during a lunch break with none of the other students, and explained the circle of 5ths to me. I'd never met this guy before but your example of talking to an old friend was spot on.

[@mickmcguire4571]

Bill was a real gentleman 👍

[@michaelelliser8250]

@@matthewwildrick9643 Similar story: I met Bill and Tony at a banjo camp in northern Florida. After Bill's Lesson on melodic playing, he engaged me in a chat and made me feel like we were old friends. It wasn't what he said that impressed me as much his warm, open personality. Of course, his banjo skills were so obvious. Tony was much the same; both guys made me feel like we were pals (similar ages, too).

[@stevennash4498]

So many people he touched with his humble kindness . My self back in the mid 80’s as a young inspired banjo player , playing in a band contest at the early Winterhawk festival ( think it was Berkshire mountain festival then) in Hillsdale Ny . An older gentleman came up to me as i got off the stage and said “you have a really good rt hand” . At that time, i had no clue i was talking to Bill Kieth . We talked banjos / bluegrass and eventually allot about old automobiles . He loved to talk about anything mechanical , as did I . He invited me to his home in the near future and would enjoy playing some banjo with me at his home in Woodstock. Several months after that i gave him a call to see if the offer still was still good ! Absolutely , i took my 1 1/2 hour journey , still not realizing who i was going to see. As i entered his humble / welcoming home, it wasn’t long that i realized who i had come to visit .......... We played a bunch of fiddle tunes he showed me some alternate ways of playing the same melody , that were honestly simpler and more proficient to play. All the while he was so enthusiastic to show me more and got really into explaining circle of fifths / colors / shapes of music and went off on showing how these could be applied to any’ style of music . Wasn’t long before i went numb above the shoulders and he was way over my head and i just was in awe of his knowledge of the fret board . I offered to pay him for his time (that he refused ) . He and his wife were gracious hosts as i had a meal with them before going home. I never forgot how i felt driving home in just plain awe of how i just spent the day with the great Bill Kieth and he made me feel so relaxed and comfortable and felt like i had known him for years . I visited him on and off over the next 5-6 years at his home in Woodstock bringing with me a recording tape player so i could try and digest a fraction of what he was teaching me at later dates. I still have a couple of these put away in my top drawer . I would go watch him play once and a while and he would always invite me back if he knew i was there . He was so approachable appreciative of what other players had to offer . There was never one moment when i was lucky enough to visit him that i didn’t come away completely inspired . On one of my visits he stopped took his strings off his Great lakes banjo and gave me his tailpiece because he thought it would be great on my banjo. He said he was looking to put his bear claw tail piece back on anyway ......... its on my banjo still today and reminds me of my time with a musicale genius that was so humble and inspiring and has left a life long impact . Sorry for the long winded story ........ a great banjo player and an even better human being . He touched so many.

[@robertnewell5057]

I was privileged to see Bill Keith performing with a fairly unknown bluegrass band at the Grove Inn, Leeds, England in about 1990ish. He was a fabulous player and a charming, unassuming man. Thank you, Tony, for posting this. You also have been a huge influence on my music. You won't remember me, but I remember you from a couple of week long workshops at Sore Fingers Summer Schools, UK. Amongst other things, you challenged each member of the class to compose a banjo tune, which we then had to play on the last day of the class. Yours was called 'Chipping Norton', in honour of the nearest town to the boarding schoold where the class was held. I also remember your boundless enthusiasm - on the last morning, as we were due to leave, you rounded up your class for a final couple of hours of stuff you 'just want to show' us before we left. You are a legend.

[@Cherrycatmom]

Half the time Bill let's his banjo do the talking, love it!

[@dgrossiter8610]

Thanks Tony. I've had the pleasure and now the memories of chatting with Bill the last several years at European World of Bluegrass. A modest giant and indeed always willing to teach.

[@matthewbyronlewismusic9625]

That is such a good hat.

[@doncouchie1013]

Thank you for posting this. Such an inspirational player and teacher. He will surely be missed by all of us who enjoyed his playing so much.

[@charliekucharski2079]

Tony, thank you for doing this wonderful interview with Bill Keith. Very insightful and informative. I always think of him as one of the melodic pioneers in banjo music.

[@snapjackson78]

Thanks for posting this, Tony.

[@michaelgoldstein3701]

Thank you for posting this visit to Bill and sharing it with us. I waslucky enough to have had a lesson or 2 with Bill about 8 yrs back or so when I saught him out when beginning banjo studies . He was such a gifted & dedicated musician who changed blue grass music & somewhat patient with a hack like me . Loved to hear him play with his modest 4 piece blue grass band- R.I.P. Bill

[@japanout-of-joint1078]

Great, still amazing now. Thank you, Mr. Tony Trishka.Great^2

[@dreadnaught90]

Bill Keith's style of banjo playing was a natural progression from Scruggs-style playing for me back in the 80's. It allowed me to play full melodies of tunes like Sailor's Hornpipe and Devil's Dream instead of approximating them. I met Bill Keith in Owensboro 30 years ago. A true gentleman.

[@marcdunn7716]

Thanks so much for posting Tony. What an amazing thing to make your own style and to have it take off like it did. An incredible player. Man...to start that from scratch he must have put in some crazy hours of practice. What a legend.

[@jameslee5405]

Great man.....fantastic banjo player....god bless you bill

[@dannilaser16]

Wow, that was some sweet banjo picking. Thank you. Great talent.

[@bushwacker3292]

Two more legends right there !

[@philnewton3096]

Frewire Fest 28/10/1981;Manchester uk; Coop Hall -I met Bill Keith -as I was the only fiddle player there I got a session on stage with a scratch band [Guit Bass Mandoline] -I did Devils Dream I think-yes Sailors HP and Huckleberry HP- and he backed me! Also he wrote a song list out beforehand - Dim Lights in E,Tunisia Dmin Irish Amin Caravan and Auld Lang Syne both in G. Later he packed his banjo put on his cap and headed for the bus station!Absolutely charming and unassuming man!

[@therealdiehl4671]

Both of these banjo giants are credited with the melodic style development. When talking with some banjo buddies about Tony's book, Melodic Style Banjo, it was called Bill Keith's book by one of the guys. Honest mistake since it was Tony's book about the style that Bill was so instrumental in developing. Both great teachers, pickers and pretty decent guys as far as I know. Pretty good company to be in or just listen in on the conversation.

[@campocat]

Loved that guy

[@philnewton3096]

Oh thatssad -world a lesser place- except for his recordings will counteract his loss- Reminds me of meeting and playing the same gig as Yehudi Menuhin in L/pool [1961] RLPO UK- I was late for a rehearsal when I saw him exit a taxi[he wasnt late]we bumped into one another in the curved corridors and as if he knew me he asked the way to put me at ease. And in Edinboro UK String Teachers[1978] conf at a pre dinner sherry gathering -It was just like meeting and old colleague.

[@jefro4551]

Love bills playing don't forget bout bobby Thompson he's another great melodic player

[@josefklipkar7209]

pěkné

[@ZeeCeeRider]

I can't seem to find any information on the fiddler from Nova Scotia that he mentions. Is her name June Hall?

[@freyablackthorn6969]

Been wondering what my style is ....now I know ! Thanks Gentlemen

[@freyablackthorn6969]

maybe melodic rock banjo lol

[@lowellmorse6723]

I love the style, but I wasn't sure WHY some "local" people found it. Chan Goodnow, Fred Lantz and some with Fred Pike. HOW and WHERE did they hear it/see it? There was no interweb back then....perhaps shortwave...or perhaps physical face to face. However way, Bill Keith made a HUGE influence on Bluegrass music. My favorite is still...Sailors Hornpipe. RIP Bill, you really made your mark.