View Full Version : Squirrel hunters
adgefan
May-17-2007, 3:44pm
I have a simple question for those who play this wonderful tune - do you play this with Em/G/D chords or A/G/D? I have always played Em but have recently encountered people who play it with the A so it's got me wondering...sounds good either way.
John Flynn
May-17-2007, 4:25pm
Well, the tab online says Em and that is the way it gets played at jams around here, but I just played my guitar along with a recording of Mike Compton and David Long playing a mando duet on it, with no guitar backup, at a house concert here in St. Louis. I have to say I don't like the Em so much on that. It seems technically correct given the notes, but it just doesn't sound old-timey to me. The A actually sounds better and what sounds even better still is what some people call an A5 chord, that being an A without a third, so just A and E notes. That really seems like the chord that should be used there.
sgarrity
May-17-2007, 7:39pm
Once I get a few people to learn this one, I'll have to experiment with the chords. Never tried it with an A.
Shaun
evanreilly
May-17-2007, 11:28pm
This tune is played a lot out here in Western North Carolina. I see it played A-G-D. Here is a good version of the Squirrel Hunters (http://youtube.com/watch?v=SA_LF4V4lU4).
sgarrity
May-17-2007, 11:32pm
Hhmmm...that link isn't workin for me
Ken Sager
May-17-2007, 11:48pm
A.
adgefan
May-18-2007, 4:10am
Thanks all. All options mentioned work well, but I might try steering in our jams in the direction of the "A5" chord, that does indeed sound the best to me.
evanreilly
May-18-2007, 7:55am
Fixed the above link; sorry for error!
That mandolin David is playing is perfect for this music.
sgarrity
May-18-2007, 8:31am
That is a mighty good version. There was also a video of Compton and Long playing it at a house concert but I'll be darned if I can find it.
Shaun
dasspunk
May-18-2007, 8:33am
This is a personal favorite of mine... and always in A/G/D
Is that the same tune I have heard called "Hunt the Squirrel"??
Tripp Johnson
May-21-2007, 6:29am
We just added this tune recently and had been playing it with E min, but the A really does sound nice.
Kind of fun to use the A, then occasionally use E min (as long as everyone's listening).
Tripp