What's your new fiddle tune?

[Mike Buesseler]

I see you capoed up to the fifth fret. What key do you finger this in? It's a beautiful tune and I would love to learn it. The link says, "with tab," but I don't see a tab.

Stringalong, if you open Simon’s video in YouTube, then click the text right below the video, all the information you want is there. I also like this one, and especially that C chord (“the major lift”) in the B part.

[Mike Buesseler]

Here’s some tab I found...

http://www.mandolintab.net/tabs.php?name=The%20New%20Rigged%20Ship&id=01388

[stringalong]

Thanks! I'll check out this tab. It's also on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UOWT3Fs6Z4&ab_channel=JohnKelly without a capo. It's in Am here.

[Simon DS]

Thanks! I'll check out this tab. It's also on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UOWT3Fs6Z4&ab_channel=JohnKelly without a capo. It's in Am here.

Ha, ha, actually there’s a bit of a discussion at John’s birthday thread here. https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/group.php?discussionid=6954&do=discuss
He plays it the right way in Am, but not with Ye Olde English rhythm.
-a rhythm once loved never forgotten :))
-although John Spiers and Jon Boden play it in jig rhythm.
-although they play it in Dm

Note: please don’t visit the above thread without wishing John a happy birthday. Thank you.

[Simon DS]

Here’s some tab I found...

http://www.mandolintab.net/tabs.php?name=The%20New%20Rigged%20Ship&id=01388


There are two ships involved. This is the happy one.

The Minor Rigged Ship is similar in some ways, it’s a ship, but it’s quite different.
https://thesession.org/tunes/18960

[Cary Fagan]

"Going to the Wedding to Get a Piece of Cake"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGbPg3qXDdA&feature=youtu.be

[MarkusSpiel]

"Going to the Wedding to Get a Piece of Cake"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGbPg3qXDdA&feature=youtu.be
I like that name :)

[JeffD]

I often tend to work on tunes in groups. Presently playing Texas (a.k.a. Newcastle), Roscoe, and Georgia (a.k.a. Ain't No Hell in Georgia). Also dusting off a slow oooky version of Hog Eyed Man (a.k.a. Sally in the Garden).

[Richard G]

Waiting for the Federals

[fatt-dad]

Now I'm retooling all my fiddle tunes to the octave mandolin. Pinky struggles! Position struggles! Tempo struggles!

Having a blast!

f-d

[Jim Garber]

Now I'm retooling all my fiddle tunes to the octave mandolin. Pinky struggles! Position struggles! Tempo struggles!

Having a blast!

f-d

Hey F-D: What OM are you playing?

[Mike Buesseler]

Beethoven’s Favorite Waltz, by James Bryan.

https://youtu.be/NzPJjd5kg4E

[Simon DS]

That’s a great tune and really nicely played, thanks Mike.

[Mike Buesseler]

You’re welcome, of course. Be sure to listen to the Montana Mandolin Society do their take on it.

https://youtu.be/ho05fbrVtG0

[fatt-dad]

Hey F-D: What OM are you playing?

I bought the Eastman MDO-3xx a-model. Can't quite recall the last digits of the OM; however. It's fun!

f-d

[Jim Garber]

I bought the Eastman MDO-3xx a-model. Can't quite recall the last digits of the OM; however. It's fun!

f-d
(https://themandolinstore.com/product/eastman-md305-a-octave-mandolin/)
MDO-305? Like this one (https://themandolinstore.com/product/eastman-md305-a-octave-mandolin/)?

[fatt-dad]

(https://themandolinstore.com/product/eastman-md305-a-octave-mandolin/)
MDO-305? Like this one (https://themandolinstore.com/product/eastman-md305-a-octave-mandolin/)?

That's it! I got it originally when they first came out. At that time I was building a duet repertoire with a guitar player and I was focused on my mandolin. Now with COVID, not doing that! So, I tuned it up and walk about the yard playing my tunes. I'm having a few struggles and a few successes. Just challenging my brain and my fingers!

Really enjoying the sound; however. And, it's good for technique to wrangle such a beast!

f-d

[Cary Fagan]

"Laughing Boy"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKmz-c15ZAs&feature=youtu.be

[Jim Garber]

On my obsessive playing list lately:

From Nile Wilson, Missouri fiddler: Oak Ridge Stomp, Old Reunion, Tune in C
From Bert Payne, Kansas Fiddler (learned from video of Tricia Spencer and Howard Rains): Kash Kersey

Still playing those above on both fiddle and mandolin but added Wes Muir's Tune, another C tune as played by Nile Wilson.

[Jim Nollman]

Spending time learning and relearning a few rags. Once you learn one, it gets easier to learn many others.

Peacock rag
Chattanooga
Banks of the Kaney

[yankees1]

Seneca Square Dance

[Pappyrich]

Maggots in the Sheep Hide (this is a really fun song)
Devil's Dream
Blackberry Blossom
Fisher's Hornpipe

[Jim Garber]

Working like a dog/Dawg on Dailey's Reel and playing it daily. Inspired by Kenny Baker and in Bb on both fiddle and mandolin.

[Simon DS]

Been wanting to record this for quite some time, so it’s just been my latest fiddle tune.
9r8jOqnq-AE
Here’s the TAB, hope I got it about right.
Enjoy, and Happy Christmas!

X:1
T:Hedwig's Theme (G BASS)
L: 1/8
M:6/8
K:G
|z4B,2|E3 GF2|E4 B2|A6|F4z2|E3 GF2|D4=F2|B,6|
z4B,2|E3 GF2|E4 B2|d4 ^c2|c3z _A2|c3B ^A2|^A,4 G2|E6|
|z4 G2|B4 G2|B4 G2|c4 B2|^A4 F2|G3 B^A2|^A,4 C2|B6
|z4G2|B4 G2|B4 G2|d4 _d2|c4 _A2|c3B^A2|^A,4 G2|E6|

[fatt-dad]

preparing to revisit, "Snowflake Reel!"

f-d

[Bill McCall]

Blue Drag.

[Cary Fagan]

This is a new old time tune, John Grimm's Butterfly Waltz. It's on his new album.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm5uEQHQPMY&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR3YlFTiFTwHPk-ah8CJKL9-ofh65vZgZOKJfqwJdyJMPbNdRu2naC_WtjI

[yankees1]

This is a new old time tune, John Grimm's Butterfly Waltz. It's on his new album.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm5uEQHQPMY&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR3YlFTiFTwHPk-ah8CJKL9-ofh65vZgZOKJfqwJdyJMPbNdRu2naC_WtjI

Nice tune and nice playing !

[Caleb]

Seneca Square Dance

I've been playing this one all morning. Just about got it down.

[John Ritchhart]

Working on Devaney's Goat. Dave Surette uses some triplets in unexpected places which at 180 bpm is a challenge for me. So the last week has devolved to triplet practice, which I need.

[Bob Gnann]

Reel de Montreal from Randy Miller's New England Fiddler Repertoire book. A great resource.

[yankees1]

I've been playing this one all morning. Just about got it down.

Same here !

[Jim Garber]

Lately into Québécois land: Gigue du Forgeron, Marche de St. Laurent, Gigue du Sous-Marin, Reel du Semeur, and a few whose names I can never remember.

[Bob Gnann]

Sometimes I see a title and it piques my interest. So in the New England / Quebec repertoire I have been learning Snoring Mrs. Gobiel, Little Burnt Potato, Reel de Montreal, and Big John McNeil among others. Gotta wonder who and where they came up with those titles but they are wonderful tunes.

[Bob Gnann]

And don't forget " Shove the Pigs Foot Closer Into the Fire".

[Simon DS]

Working on O’Leary’s Motorcycle at the moment. https://thesession.org/tunes/4603 thanks Gortnamona for this one.
Wonderfully rhythmic, rolling, clattering tune with some great parts where you can throw in hesitant triplets and discordant double stops.

[Caleb]

https://youtu.be/9d9BlAhyVl4

^^^ Have not attempted to play it yet, but I’ve been enamored of late by this waltz: The Georgiana Starlington Waltz by Tom Morley. One of the most beautiful pieces of music I’ve heard in a long time.

[yankees1]

https://youtu.be/9d9BlAhyVl4

^^^ Have not attempted to play it yet, but I’ve been enamored of late by this waltz: The Georgiana Starlington Waltz by Tom Morley. One of the most beautiful pieces of music I’ve heard in a long time.

I agree beautiful !! Nothing like a fiddle for these slow songs !

[Jim Nollman]

The golden ticket

[Frankdolin]

Hey Folks, I'm looking for fiddle/ BG tunes with the same type of mood ect. as Midnight on the Water and Jerusalem Ridge. Any thoughts ? Thanks :mandosmiley:

[Jim Garber]

Ones that come to mind immediately: Coleman’s March, Ashokan Farewell—actually a bunch of waltzes, Tombigbee is one. I’ll think some more.

[MontanaMatt]

Hey Folks, I'm looking for fiddle/ BG tunes with the same type of mood ect. as Midnight on the Water and Jerusalem Ridge. Any thoughts ? Thanks :mandosmiley:

Kentucky Mandolin, First Day in Town, Garfield’s Blackberry Blossom, Dusty Miller, Lonesome Fiddle Blues
Those are all similar to J Ridge...
I don’t have any in my quiver like Midnight...I’ll add that and look for other’s suggestions here.
Happy fiddlin/pickin

[A 4]

Hey Folks, I'm looking for fiddle/ BG tunes with the same type of mood ect. as Midnight on the Water and Jerusalem Ridge. Any thoughts ? Thanks :mandosmiley:

Of course, it all depends on how you play them, but a couple that come to mind: Farewell Trion, Elk River Blues, Neil Gao's Lament, and Coal Harbor Bend. Maybe some of the Bill Monroe Waltzes, like Lonesome Moonlight Waltz. His Mississippi Waltz might be more bluesy than you are looking for.

Some people play these tunes fast, but they are great nice and slow, too.

[Bill McCall]

Jay Ungar has a book of waltzes with a feel like Midnight on the Water.

[Jim Nollman]

On frankdolins question:

Here’s a few possibilities.


Ora lee
Sally in the garden
Winderslide
Magpie
Battle cry of freedom

[Denny Gies]

I've finally gotten Cherokee Shuffle half-assed, I mean half mastered.

[yankees1]

I've finally gotten Cherokee Shuffle half-assed, I mean half mastered.

Let us hear it when you are ready full-assed , I mean fully mastered !! :)

[Bob Gnann]

Maple Leaf Jig. Learning on the fiddle and mandolin. Tricky timing with the bow / pick. In 6/8 time (jig) but you've got to pay close attention to the note values. Fun tune to play though!

[Caleb]

This morning I've been messing around with The Golden Slippers. Fun tune!

[lowtone2]

Dry and Dusty.

When I need mandospiration, I sometimes look up this youngster, Matt Witler. He plays demos for Music Emporium and is always so...musical. He reminds me of why I try to play the thing. This is a slower tempo than I've usually heard the tune, but it really sounds...musical.


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=np019ssSAT0

[Jim Garber]

Sometimes slowing down a tune wrings out the flavors and emotions expressed in playing. I will also say that his excellent playing is perfect demo for that mandolin. Even in an OK set of earphones I get the sense of the depth of tones capable of that Ellis.

[Kevin Winn]

In the process of hand-writing out the tab and learning 'Woodland Star' off Andrew Marlin's latest album.

It's been a great exercise in patience, and thank gawd for the Amazing Slow Downer. Hearing it played at half speed gives me even more appreciation for the subtlety of Andrew's playing.

[stringalong]

My new fiddle tune is Ebenezer. I learned it from this YouTube fiddle version. The name of the player is not shown, but it's very clean and easy to hear. I put it into Loop mode, and slowed it down to .5 and listened to it a lot, and played along with it. I finally have the tune down now. It's pretty tricky to hear, but is not technically difficult. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6e0k0apYQk&ab_channel=Devil%E2%80%99sHoleFiddle

[A-board]

Road to Columbus, Kenny Baker

[Michael Romkey]

Hmmm. Farewell to Whiskey, The Orthodox Priest, and Eel in the Sink.

[Dick Dery]

A Duck Walks Into a Pharmacy...
https://thesession.org/tunes/7316

[Cary Fagan]

Kick Up the Devil on a Holiday. I got it from James Bryant.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udDatPV-wLA

[Jim Garber]

Kick Up the Devil on a Holiday. I got it from James Bryant.

Very nice but I do think you mean James Bryan.

[Cary Fagan]

Yes, of course, Jim.

[John Ritchhart]

Road to Spencer

[tmsweeney]

Here's two from Cole's 1001 and fiddle tunes: "San Souci Hornpipe" and "The Czar of Russia's Favorite Hornpipe" played here on a 1920 Gibson F4 and and 1925 Gibson H1 Mandola. James Bryan Recorded "the Czar of Russia's Hornpipe" on his "Look Out Blues" rounder album, seems he and Norman Blake referenced Cole's quite a bit. I have neve heard San Souci performed other than by myself, but I do think those two old time boxes sound pretty good together!
hJjVlpdwJnQ

[Jim Garber]

Great stuff, tmsweeney! I have spent hours with Cole's seeking interesting tunes. Those two are great. I love your arrangement with the mandola. Has a nice baroque feel to it.

[tmsweeney]

Thanks Jim can you tell I recently attended Matt Flinner's Scales and Arpeggios class?

some others I like from Cole's

Nicodemus Johnson ( working on pairing with Golden Eagle HP)

Niagara Hornpipe, Saratoga hornpipe- ( i forsee a NY Hornpipe suite)

[Jim Garber]

I will have to dig in and take a look at ones I have found. I was interested in flat keys and unusual rhythms like clogs and strathspeys. I will get back to you. BTW we are only a few hours apart geographically. I wonder if we have ever met. Maybe find a place midway with our Coles/Ryans books.

Pretty funny that I have had the link covered Coles since new but like flipping thru. I couldn’t find my copy so I bought the Melbay edition new and then found my Coles. Oh well

[tmsweeney]

Jim its possible we've crossed paths, though I don't get down to Westchester much these days ( hardly leave the house to be honest), but if you want to pick a tune out of Coles or two for a medley I'd be happy to work up a dola part and perhaps we can find somewhere that works to try it live.

I am on a quest for a vintage Gibson cello so I can perform a vintage trio, the K4 in the classified was a little more than I wanted to spend, but oh what a beauty!

[Jim Garber]

I will reply to you, tmsweeney, via PM since we may be taking this off the topic of this thread.

[Jim Nollman]

Wes Muir's Tune

[Jim Garber]

Wes Muir's Tune

One of my favorite Missouri fiddle tunes.

[Bren]

My new fiddle tune is an accordion tune by Ian McPhail.
Grace Renwick Polka
Three parts , all in flat keys.
Bb, Eb and F
A good pinky workout and fun to play too.
Or it will be when I can get it to flow.
Many accordion versions online but haven't heard any other instruments playing it.

[Mando Mafia]

Rocky Road to Dublin, but this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0_KC2prUqo

Pete

[Jim Nollman]

Jenny run away in the mud at night

[Jim Nollman]

plowboy hop

[JeffD]

I am addicted to Dandy Lusk. What a great little tune.

Coming off a high from playing Texas a.k.a. Newcastle.

[Ranald]

"Wally on The Deer Trail" by Reg Hill.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFdEHnJx5vc&ab_channel=GoldenAgeMedia

[John Ritchhart]

Cazadero. John Reischman version.

[tmsweeney]

We played Cazadero in D, was always a crowd pleaser,
My new fiddle tune is Bela Fleck's "Slipstream" from the Drive album
my inspiration being Matt Flinner posted transcription at the modern mandolin online symposium.
The melody is fairly straight forward, but the rhythm is tricky
it goes from 4/4 to 3/4 then back to 4/4 , I am counting the 3/4 as "1 and 2 and"
I posted it as a suggested tune at the local bluegrass jam, so far folks are excited about it, so we shall see how it goes.

[Don Grieser]

tmsweeney, I thought Matt's analysis of Slipstream was absolutely brilliant. Would have liked more from him in the modern mandolin symposium.

[tmsweeney]

Could not agree more Don, I put in Matt's comment section that all the other instructors should watch his class to see how its done. He really has a knack for presenting musical thought in manageable sections, and somehow captures a groups attention with ease. I think he conveys his interest in your performance early in the student teacher relationship and this is very effective and encouraging, participation becomes expected by yourself.

[Bill McCall]

Didn't take this, but alll of the classes and workshops I've done with Matt have been superb. Finally persuaded my buddies to take a class and they are overjoyed.

He's a great teacher and a pretty sporty player:)

[A 4]

Just a heads up to everyone based on the Matt Flinner discussion above. Matt is offering three classes starting in January that might be interesting to people in this forum: Old-Time Mandolin 101 and 102, and also "Advanced Fiddle Tunes and Improvisation." See the link below. On sale through December 12.

I have signed up for Old-Time 102, and have taken an online class with Matt earlier this year. He is a fantastic instructor, and I think the format of a lesson followed by a practice session a few days later is really great.

https://www.mattflinner.com/2021/11/save-75-on-winter-courses-through-11-21-old-time-mandolin-101-102-advanced-fiddle-tunes-and-improv-start-1-10-12/

[Don Grieser]

I didn't mean to hijack this thread so I created one on Matt's classes here: https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/threads/157673-In-Praise-of-Matt-Flinner-s-Classes?p=1846803#post1846803

[maxr]

I just learned Bonaparte Crossing the Rocky Mts. and have been pairing it with Bonaparte Crossing the Rhine (thanks Skip Gorman) Hint: don't start off too fast on the Rhine or you will fall off the Rockies and could hurt something important.

You could add Bonaparte Crossing The Alps, unless it's ones of those tumes with a different name:

https://thesession.org/tunes/3056

[Jim Garber]

And I wrote a medley of tunes:


Bonaparte Crossing His Arms
Bonaparte Crossing His Legs
Bonaparte Crossing His Eyes

[nultylynch]

My new fiddle tune is The Boy on the Hilltop/Johnny Goin’ to Ceildih, performed by Tommy Peoples and Paul Brady. Down a half step from their recording

[Ranald]

And I wrote a medley of tunes:


Bonaparte Crossing His Arms
Bonaparte Crossing His Legs
Bonaparte Crossing His Eyes


Someone beat you to the third one, Jim: http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/paul-gitlitz-tunes/08-bonaparte-crossing-his-eyes.htm

[Jim Nollman]

Sleeping Lula

[tmsweeney]

Finally getting around to "Up Against the Buachalans / Tuttle's reel" from the James Bryan "Lookout Blues" recording

The Chieftain's have recorded Up against the Buachalans, I believe Cafe' member Adrian Crossey has a nice mandolin version out there as well.
Kevin Burke has recorded Tuttle's reel a few times, but I lean more to the James Bryan version.
Here's my take on a 1920 Gibson F4.


jF9c3aQTess

[lowtone2]

i just learned Road to Malvern from John Reischman's Peghead Nation video. New to me but apparently only me.


https://youtu.be/orE5v9l7Hdk

[Jim Nollman]

I’m learning a fiddle tune called Gypsy Dance, as performed by Rhys David. When I learn a new tune, I also like to find basic info such as about its composer or origin. This one has me stumped. Dos anyone know where this tune comes from originally? With its western scale I tend to doubt it’s actually gypsy in derivation. Could it be old time? Or is it a modern tune composed by someone who favors old time and gypsy music.

[Jim Garber]

I’m learning a fiddle tune called Gypsy Dance, as performed by Rhys David. When I learn a new tune, I also like to find basic info such as about its composer or origin. This one has me stumped. Dos anyone know where this tune comes from originally? With its western scale I tend to doubt it’s actually gypsy in derivation. Could it be old time? Or is it a modern tune composed by someone who favors old time and gypsy music.

The fiddler is Rhys Jones (not David) and on his recording Starry Crown. I would guess he wrote the tune but I don’t own that recording. Did you find it on YouTube?


https://youtu.be/Q9xymWI7wgY

[Jim Nollman]

The fiddler is Rhys Jones (not David) and on his recording Starry Crown. I would guess he wrote the tune but I don’t own that recording. Did you find it on YouTube?


https://youtu.be/Q9xymWI7wgY

Yes, this is the tune and Rhys Jones is the player. I don't own the recording either. This will take some listening to learn correctly. For no good reason, the tune reminds me of the French Canadian style.

[geechee]

My list is long - I likely start on too many at a time.

Homer the Roamer
No Corn on Tygart
Neighbor Mike
Wake Up Susan
Suzanne's Journey
Jenny Run Away in the Night...
New Broom
Sunday Morning Reel

[Jack Roberts]

"Queen of the Fair" FFB page 223.

[nick delmore]

Oops, failed upload.

[JeffD]

I have been playing Dandy Lusk (https://tunearch.org/wiki/Dandy_Lusk). Learning that tune has become an addiction.

Here is a clean recording of Howard Rains and Mark Gilston on fiddle and mountain dulcimer. Play it six times and I bet you can't not play it a seventh. Like Oreo cookies in that way.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwDF1F7tIHk

[Charlieshafer]

Rhys Jones' Starry Crown that Jim mentioned is a great record. Another of Rhy's classics is the album "Bulldog" with really strong stuff. A long-time admirer of his and a great source of tunes.

A couple of newer tunes wirth checking out is Tipping Back The Corn performed by Roger Netherton, and Laughing Mark by Tom Alder and Co. Anyway, keep up with this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMIgUuemoYE

[Charlieshafer]

Another one the group is working on is Johnson Boys, but juicing it up the way Hawktail does here. Scroll to the 3:54 mark to get to it, and watch it build. Really fun to try to get this pace going...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Roi3eB1uzGo

[lowtone2]

Nancy Blevins' A part reminds me of Last Chance, but it doesn't seem to resolve...


https://youtu.be/76zNOeTh6Lg

[JeffD]

Paddy Won't You Drink Some Good Old Cider - This is a fun tune.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KwnQmdaArY

[A 4]

I’m learning a fiddle tune called Gypsy Dance, as performed by Rhys David. When I learn a new tune, I also like to find basic info such as about its composer or origin. This one has me stumped. Dos anyone know where this tune comes from originally? With its western scale I tend to doubt it’s actually gypsy in derivation. Could it be old time? Or is it a modern tune composed by someone who favors old time and gypsy music.

I have that CD, "Starry Crown," by Rhys Jones and Christina Wheeler, and it is excellent. There is some info on the tunes, but no long essays. For Gypsy Dance, it says:
"Gypsy Dance GDAE George Lee Hawkins via Jeff Goehring (3:24)"

It turns out to be hard to search for that tune, as there are many violin tunes names something like that.

[Jim Nollman]

Portland Aires
Waynesboro
Steely rag

[joh]

I attended Fiddle Hell this past weekend (it was awesome! Thanks Dave Reiner :-)).

I picked up a couple of new tunes from various workshops:

Jake Blount taught Roscoe's Gone, a newer tune (by old time standards) by Hank Bradley. Jake hasn't recorded it before, but you can find an original recording by Hank on Youtube. I also quite like this George Jackson, Chris Coole, and The Slocan Ramblers version.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gL0XhXo8LvM

Bruce Molsky taught Tie your Dog, Sally Gal. The source recording is available on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yxsxM67lHs), played by Will Adams and recorded by Mike Seeger. Bruce also has a wonderful recording on his album "Can't Stay Here This a-Way."


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkoyXg2FI7A

Sharon Gilchrist and Darol Anger taught Farewell to Trion, which they recorded on their album E-and'a. A popular tune by all accounts, but their arrangement is particularly wonderful.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OWbquXaUG8

[Jim Nollman]

Been playing farewell trion for years, but never heard it played as melodically as on that Daryl anger recording. Joe Walsh's incredible sounding mandolin has never been better miked. And this band is the new all star team of old time music. Definitely a sound and arrangement the rest of us curmudgeons can strive for in our own humble recordings. Given the album cover and the performances it reminds me of Dave Brubeck's classic Take Five.

[Jim Roberts]

We just started working on Farewell Trion and what a great tune. Here’s a link to Darol’s album from above: https://darolanger.com/music

This cover of Take Five, Jim?

[Don Grieser]

I learned Farewell Trion from this video. Love James Bryan's fiddling and Carl Jones taught at Monroe Camp this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJQabRQjXEw

zJQabRQjXEw

[Jim Garber]

I learned Farewell Trion from this video. Love James Bryan's fiddling and Carl Jones taught at Monroe Camp this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJQabRQjXEw


Must be in the air. I have come back to that one which I also originally learned from James Bryan. This is one that James learned, along with a number of other wonderful tunes, from Alabama fiddler, Mack Blalock who, as far as we know, was never recorded. For me it is part of a pile of tunes in the key of C, a key that quite a few old time players avoid in their beginner stages. Other tunes in that pile I have been playing: a few by Nile Wilson, an Ozark fiddle player including one he just calls Tune in C and Wes Muir's Tune.

[joh]

That James Bryan recording is wonderful. I believe he was also the one who wrote the C part of the tune - the A and B parts being the original tune.

[Don Grieser]

I also heard he wrote the C part.

[Jim Nollman]

https://youtu.be/9w9LpD-GNro

This version of farewell trion was recorded at a house concert not far from where I live.

[A 4]

I learned Farewell Trion from this video. Love James Bryan's fiddling and Carl Jones taught at Monroe Camp this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJQabRQjXEw

Just for fun, you can also watch this one also with James Bryan and Carl Jones, but 18 years earlier!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOar4KegZiY

It is a great tune that I like to play on mandolin, but have given up trying on the fiddle. The difference between and James Bryan is vast. Maybe in a few more years.

[Simon DS]

Love that style of fiddling of James Bryan, thanks.

[Jim Roberts]

James is such a lovely fiddle player. Nothing fancy but powerful and with such heart and soul.

[Jim Garber]

James is such a lovely fiddle player. Nothing fancy but powerful and with such heart and soul.

Actually, he is my current target fiddler and the miracle of his playing is that is sounds simple but he actually plays with subtle complexity and lyricism. I have heard FTT for years and only recently someone pointed out that in the first bar or so there is a slide back on that E note to a D on the A string. There are other parts of his playing where it seems like a magician’s mirror tricks—seemingly few notes but he is smoothly playing a lot more than it appears. Outstanding…

[tmsweeney]

James is the man and whatever it is about his playing has always captivated me, there is a "humility" in his style that is infused into the music he plays. Plus he seems to have a penchant for picking less popular but very very cool tunes.

[Jim Roberts]

His fiddling alongside Norman and Nancy Blake has always been such a musical treat. Cool stuff.


James is the man and whatever it is about his playing has always captivated me, there is a "humility" in his style that is infused into the music he plays. Plus he seems to have a penchant for picking less popular but very very cool tunes.

[tmsweeney]

I saw Norman and Nancy many times but somehow never with James, but he did make vinyl like "Full Moon on the Farm" and "Light House on the Shore" useless after the grooves were played off of them. I think he plays mandola on "Black Jack Davey" from Mike Seeger's "Fresh Old Time Stringband Music" album" I still listen to his two solo efforts "Lookout Blues" and "The First of May" (they both belong in the bluegrass hall of fame for my money) on my morning drive mix, and really liked the "Two Pictures" album he did with Carl Jones.
He talks about having studied in Ireland with Bobby Casey, and I hear a fair bit of Irish in his playing, Kevin Burke and Martin Wynn coming to mind.

[tmsweeney]

since you went and got me hooked on the tune

Noy7IdLLzmM

[tuhker]

Spotted Pony and Magpie.

[Jim Nollman]

Red prairie dawn.
Such a beautiful melody, learned off YouTube channeled through The Amazing Slow Downer.

Running through the Rain To Keep Your Hair Dry
From a recording by Mark Tamsula.

[Mando Mafia]

Red prairie dawn.
Such a beautiful melody, learned off YouTube channeled through The Amazing Slow Downer.

Did you know there’s a slow down feature embedded on youtube videos?(or maybe that’s what you were referring to?) Look for the cog wheel at the bottom of the video, click on it and choose your playback speed. You can reduce it to as little as 1/4 speed and it keeps the pitch, just like the Amazing Slow Downer.

Pete

[Bob Buckingham]

The late Dave Surrette's Belle of Newcastle. Yeah he was a mandolin player but it is a beautiful waltz played by some great fiddlers.

[Jim Nollman]

Thanks for the tip Pete. I've been using the amazing slow downer for years, and it works well enough for me. I especially like the apps ability to save and loop short phrases. I've worked out an easy routine for adding tunes from any internet source into TASD.

[Caleb]

The Queen's Jig.

[Jim Garber]

Lately been working on James Bryan’s rendition of Soapsuds Over the Fence and Gilsaw, a tune from the playing of Pete McMahan.

Here’s James Bryan and Carl Jones:


https://youtu.be/YJg5_03ae4k

[Jim Nollman]

https://youtu.be/XiD7o2UIZLE no mandolin, but an especially melodic arrangement of Red Prairie Dawn by some Berkeley school students. It’s in the key of B major here, although everyone I know plays it in the key of A. Wait for the woman scat singing the melody.

[Aline]

Can I ask what is the playing speed used by folks here?

[Jim Garber]

Can I ask what is the playing speed used by folks here?
I am not sure there is one speed to aim for. It depends on the tune, the character of the melody, the type of tune (reel, hornpipe, jig, waltz, mazurka,etc.) and whether the tune is used for accompanying dancers or just listening or whatever. It might also depend on whether I am playing with others or just by myself. Find what feels good to you.

[Simon DS]

Can I ask what is the playing speed used by folks here?

Fiddle tunes tend to be faster, maybe because the fiddle can be more easily played faster. But also the fingering favours the fiddle -hammer-ons with all the notes of one measure on one string etc. that’s a fiddle tune :)
As a general rule though, half the time you should be playing tunes with a metronome much too slowly… and with too much feeling.
And at least 2% of the time you should play way too fast, foot tapping, hammering along.
The rest of the time is up to you, but I’d try all tunes with different tempos and even different time signatures.

A lot of tunes, in the 'wrong' tempo or harmonic minor, natural minor or whatever sound GREAT!

[tmsweeney]

quarter note = 80 is a bit on the slow side
quarter note = 100 is medium
quarter note = 120 is medium-fast ( I would think most jams are between 100 and 120)
quarter note = 180 Tony Rice and or David Grisman before coffee
quarter note = 200+ = Dave Apollon

I would think for beginners q=60 might be slow but not a bad place to start

as Simon said it is worth while to try the metronome slow after you can play at medium speed, once you know the tune, go back and discover what you don't know about it by spending more time with each phrase and note.

[Don Grieser]

I spent the evening watching college basketball and learning Pretty Bird by Norman Blake, a fine tune in the fun key of F. Matt Flinner taught Jack Rabbit Trail by Butch Baldassari in the key of F and mentioned how it's such a great key on the mando. So when I found this tune in the key of F, I had to learn it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAooAOeKS1Y The mando break is in the middle of the tune.

[lowtone2]

Lately I’ve been listening to and playing Waynesboro.


https://youtu.be/D7N9qnFQU5E?si=DjT8CZzVgRiPTZml

[Simon DS]

Thanks, love the melodic phrasing on Waynesboro.

[JeffD]

Can I ask what is the playing speed used by folks here?

I like this guide.

[lowtone2]

Something to think about.


https://youtu.be/C8bDc5d79yw?si=ViFUvKoRHpaG7zY_

This is about the slowest tempo I’ve ever heard Bonaparte’s Retreat played, but it still has that hypnotic flow I think.


https://youtu.be/IlH__ueHREE?si=oY8fxttL2j2CMubg

[tmsweeney]

I fully agree with the 90% idea, its just a great way to really really imbibe and "grok" the tune. You can focus on tricky passages or introduce different licks and what not, mostly it gives you time to think about what you are doing and if anything could be done "better".
Playing extremely slow while as rewarding if not more - is simply more difficult, however for those willing to apply the patience required I think it is also a very valuable practice. You should always use a metronome when "timing" your playing.

What fiddle tunes am I working on

I never really learned Ragtime Annie, but I've heard it called at jams many times, I like the Sam Bush version.

Darol Anger's "Scarborough" from E & A - cause I got his new tune book

Mike Marshall's "We Three" it changes meter 3 times.

Wocjiech Kilar's "Tredowata Waltz" still working on the 3rd part chord progression

[Monkshood]

Boatin' up Sandy ... nice shift from A-major in the first half to Am in the second, and back again.
Childgrove ... because it suits the holiday season.

[mandrian]

Heard Hommage Till En Spelman on a classical radio program a few weeks ago and have been learning it. It’s a Swedish fiddle tune by Torbjorn Nasbom and have been using his recording with Josefina Paulson.

Not heard any mandolin folks playing it, but guitarists seem to like it.

https://youtu.be/qM-n6WGnYQU?si=hRWoO36EXKITV08F


Regards,

[Jim Nollman]

Alphabet rag
Chinese rag
Drunk man's blues
Cheese closet


….So many tunes, so little time.

[Mike Buesseler]

Drunk at Night Dry in the Morning. Niel Gow.

[Jim Nollman]

Great tune. There's a version that includes Alisdair Fraser that is a total knockout.

[Cary Fagan]

Shelvin Rock.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-rrw-wwiGE

[Chris Fannin]

Ashokan Farewell.

[Jim Garber]

Soapsuds Over the Fence from the playing of James Bryan.


https://youtu.be/UYTOGLX6ZUo

[Don Grieser]

Great tune and wonderful playing and tone on that Campanella! Thanks for posting the video.

[Jim Garber]

Thanks, Don. The Campanella has edged its way into my old time and Québécois sessions lately. It seems to float over multiple fiddles and banjos or accordions.

[lowtone2]

I’ve been playing Last Chance for a while, but not at this tempo. Man I wish the Drops were still performing.


https://youtu.be/gIZIWboHqfk?si=xK1y7ybwshLjhgpi

[Pappyrich]

Cowboy Waltz

[Don Grieser]

Remember to play The Eighth of January today!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HI2jSxyEOM

0HI2jSxyEOM

[tuhker]

Julianne Johnson. https://youtu.be/DG0xNyZ7QH0?si=1sK6V5O_7DLV_ibG

[Woolybug25]

We have an upcoming gig that's three hours so we're adding quite a few fiddle tunes between the vocal tunes to fill the time. Some I know pretty well already and some I don't. Definitely keeping me busy.

Angeline the Baker
June Apple
Whiskey Before Breakfast
Devil's Dream
Old Joe Clark
Red Haired Boy
Cold Frosty Morning
Clinch Mountain Backstep

[Cary Fagan]

Hob Dye. On a Sawchyn Beavertail mandolin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXoP-XNnoNU

[morgan]

Downe's Waltz. This wacky and challenging ditty is from the Oliver Ditson Boston Collection of Instrumental Music, ca. 1850. It's in the public domain so a shot of the sheet music is provided.

212183

[Simon DS]

Downe's Waltz. This wacky and challenging ditty is from the Oliver Ditson Boston Collection of Instrumental Music, ca. 1850. It's in the public domain so a shot of the sheet music is provided.

212183

Hey that’s a great tune for a work out! Many thanks, like the key change too. https://abcnotation.com/tunePage?a=trillian.mit.edu/~jc/music/book/BostonCollection/1262_DOWNES_WALTZ/0000

Though much easier transcribed down to D major: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/z9si277n356y1o7p3grck/DOWNES_WALTZ_Mandolin.pdf?rlkey=zetidkl2m004iyy2ik vhx288t&dl=0

[morgan]

Thanks for the improved versions of the sheet music. I searched for this tune on the web and found nothing, but should have figured the John Chambers collection would have it! (I play with John Chambers sometimes and I think he's got most of those tunes in his head has well!). I like the workout aspect of it so (until I finally concede that it's gotten the best of me), I'll stick to the original key

[tmsweeney]

Blakes March - what a fun tune, I am hopelessly obsessed

thanks to Flinner and Walsh for bringing that back around