CLAWHAMMER TUNE OF THE DAY- a semi daily blog that documents old-time tunes and songs that I play and that you can play too.
I normally play a three part version of this, but decided to share the 2 part version. So many different variations of this old tune. The source version I'm sharing isn't even clawhammer, but it is one of my favorite versions by Morgan Sexton.
Standard tuning down-tuned to D#.
This is a great tune in FCFCD tuning, otherwise known as Last Chance tuning. Attached I have a very spritely version from the playing of banjo legend, Hobart Smith.
A good ol' tune I have heard since I was a child. I play it here on my down-tuned Andy Denny banjo. My reference version is Walt and Claire, who play a busy and beautiful, double fiddle, version.
Everyone knows this old-timer, but this was the first time I played it my down-tuned, Andy Denny, Little Wonder, conversion banjo. Really sounds good low. I taught it to a student tonight who plays in the same tuning on his gourd banjo. It is tuned somewhere near D#.
I have been playing along with this great Wilson Douglas album lately. The fiddle goes lower than the banjo can, so until I get a six string banjo with an extra low string, I have to fudge the low part a little.
I had my neighbor, friend and old-time music documentarian, Craig Frailin' Evans, join me on this one. Craig has been tirelessly going across the country interviewing banjo makers, old-time players, and music historians and has several DVD series out. He has a book coming out about the subject very soon. A lot of folks source back to Charlie Acuff for this tune and his is the second video.
