Cotton Eyed Joe

[Mark Wilson]

Looking to learn Cotton Eyed Joe.

Does anyone know the instrumental progression that 'might' get played most often at BG jams?

Is this close?
AAAD/ AAEA/ AAAD/ AAEA/
AAAA/ AAEA/ AAAA/ AAEA/

thanks -

[Mandoplumb]

In my neck of the woods the last measure is correct the first 3 would be all A's

[Mark Wilson]

For both parts or just the last line going AAAA/AAAA/AAAA/AAEA?
Thx

[Mandoplumb]

Both parts. Chords on fiddle tunes/old-time tunes can vary widely from place to place and picker to picker.

[Ivan Kelsall]

I heard this version donkey's years ago & i just love Bob Wills' take on the tune. I learned it 'note for note' on the mandolin,both the fiddle & vocal parts. Not exactly 'Bluegrassy',but simply 'musical,
Ivan


There's a nice version by 'Asleep at The Wheel' on YouTube - it sounds a bit like 'Sally Goodin' the way they play it. IMHO ,it's great to have many versions of tunes like this = something for everyone.

[Mark Wilson]

it sounds a bit like 'Sally Goodin' the way they play it. IMHO ,it's great to have many versions of tunes like this = something for everyone.

Both tunes are my favorites on the fiddle. That BW version is a classic - I like to hear that tune with vocals.

[Mark Wilson]

Both parts. Chords on fiddle tunes/old-time tunes can vary widely from place to place and picker to picker.

Dug deeper on YT last night. Your neck of the woods version seems to be the BG jam standard. The melody would probably fit over either but for my practice track I'll use the 2 chord version. Thx Mandoplumb