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Thread: Which version of Chinquapin / Chinkapin Hunting is the "real" one

  1. #1
    Registered User mbruno's Avatar
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    Default Which version of Chinquapin / Chinkapin Hunting is the "real" one

    So Chinquapin Hunting has come up a few times recently in some jams I've been at. I haven't played this song in years so I decided to dive back into it because it's really fun.

    The version that I've heard most are basically the arrangements on these recordings
    Triston Scroggins - https://open.spotify.com/track/3V7ms...4709970be142fe
    Adam Steffy - https://open.spotify.com/track/5IXol...ebf35e41334e10

    Normally when I'm learning a tune, I listen to as many variations as possible to get a real feel for what others have been able to do with the tune. That led me to find another version of this song - some examples below

    https://open.spotify.com/track/4KZ9q...4cc9764a3c43e3
    https://open.spotify.com/track/2IZxX...49c672650d46a7

    I feel I've heard these versions before, but under a different name perhaps. As they are really different from each other, I figured there's probably an alternate name for one of these recordings

    Anyway - for those that play the tune, which version of Chinquapin Hunting is the "real" version?
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    Default Re: Which version of Chinquapin / Chinkapin Hunting is the "real"

    Don't know about "real", but the second pair is the tune usually played in Old-Time circles. I think it comes from the Round Peak tradition of the Galax, VA area. The first version is from KY by way of Art Stamper and his dad Hiram Stamper (AFAIK). It seems to be somewhat popular in the bluegrass world these days.

    Here's a fine version of the VA version from Bruce Molsky with Rushad Eggleston having a great time (as usual) on cello: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYS7xyNW8Mc

    A third great tune is from the Kessinger Brothers and is usually just called "Chinky Pin": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIQPnEEJxkg

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    Default Re: Which version of Chinquapin / Chinkapin Hunting is the "real"

    Had to look it up. The VA version is from Norman Edmonds of Hillsville, VA, 10 min or so from Galax. He was the granddaddy of Galax multi-instrumentalist, luthier, and local legend Jimmy Edmonds.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rdOLsI5Z9o

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    Default Re: Which version of Chinquapin / Chinkapin Hunting is the "real"

    I don’t know which one is the “real” one either, but I will say I much prefer (as always..) the old time version over the bluegrass one :D

    The OT version is much more danceable and has a maturer sound IMO.

    It’s unfortunate the mandolin isn’t more popular in the OT world…

  7. #5
    Registered User Bob Buckingham's Avatar
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    Default Re: Which version of Chinquapin / Chinkapin Hunting is the "real"

    Quote Originally Posted by joh View Post
    I don’t know which one is the “real” one either, but I will say I much prefer (as always..) the old time version over the bluegrass one :D

    The OT version is much more danceable and has a maturer sound IMO.

    It’s unfortunate the mandolin isn’t more popular in the OT world…
    That is exactly why I like to play to mandolin in old time jams. Kenny Hall let me play with him when I was out west in the USAF. He was a good player with a highly unusual style. He was encyclopedia of old time tunes. I love to hear the tunes on the mandolin.

  8. #6
    Registered User mbruno's Avatar
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    Default Re: Which version of Chinquapin / Chinkapin Hunting is the "real"

    I gotta say I'm liking the OT version better than the BG one which is the one I know better as of now. I'll be diving into both this coming week.
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    Registered User Scott Rucker's Avatar
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    Default Re: Which version of Chinquapin / Chinkapin Hunting is the "real"

    I am more familiar with the first tune with the title probably because I live in eastern KY and Art Stamper was a big influence in this region. They are both good tunes IMO but we just don't have a lot of the Round Peak style or tunes in our local old time music. The low choppy part of the second tune sounds very "Rye Straw"ish to me.

  10. #8
    Registered User Ky Slim's Avatar
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    Default Re: Which version of Chinquapin / Chinkapin Hunting is the "real"

    I'm a fan of both versions and can verify that both are "real"

    Instead of calling one version old time and the other bluegrass; I think it's more accurate to say:

    "One version has 2 parts and is in the Key of D. The other has 3 parts in the Key A with a crooked first part."

    I've heard both versions of Chinquapin Hunting treated both ways: as Old Time (where all instruments repeat the melody together as a dance tune), and as Bluegrass (where each instrumentalist takes a solo over the form).

    Here is a Bluegrass treatment of the 3 Part: Key of A with a crooked first part Chinquapin Hunting


  11. #9
    Registered User mbruno's Avatar
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    Default Re: Which version of Chinquapin / Chinkapin Hunting is the "real"

    Instead of calling one version old time and the other bluegrass; I think it's more accurate to say:

    "One version has 2 parts and is in the Key of D. The other has 3 parts in the Key A with a crooked first part."
    Accuracy is the enemy of brevity - I'll take bluegrass vs OT haha.

    Man I love Joe K Walsh - great picker! I don't listen to him nearly enough. Thanks for sharing that one!
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    Registered User mbruno's Avatar
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    Default Re: Which version of Chinquapin / Chinkapin Hunting is the "real"

    Quote Originally Posted by Bacfire View Post
    Don't know about "real", but the second pair is the tune usually played in Old-Time circles. I think it comes from the Round Peak tradition of the Galax, VA area. The first version is from KY by way of Art Stamper and his dad Hiram Stamper (AFAIK). It seems to be somewhat popular in the bluegrass world these days.

    Here's a fine version of the VA version from Bruce Molsky with Rushad Eggleston having a great time (as usual) on cello: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYS7xyNW8Mc

    A third great tune is from the Kessinger Brothers and is usually just called "Chinky Pin": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIQPnEEJxkg
    Great versions I like the Bruce Molsky one a lot!

    Though I gotta say, that bird sound violin from your second post (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rdOLsI5Z9o) was pretty cool - never seen that before.
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  13. #11
    Gummy Bears and Scotch BrianWilliam's Avatar
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    Default Re: Which version of Chinquapin / Chinkapin Hunting is the "real"

    Both

  14. #12
    Registered User mingusb1's Avatar
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    Default Re: Which version of Chinquapin / Chinkapin Hunting is the "real"

    As my veteran oldtime and bluegrass pickin buddy says "can't go wrong with Art Stamper"!

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    Default Re: Which version of Chinquapin / Chinkapin Hunting is the "real"

    And then their’s Chinquapin, an altogether different tune. Here’s Rhys Jones. Jimmy Triplett also plays it. https://youtu.be/YACoaVLxFQg

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    Default Re: Which version of Chinquapin / Chinkapin Hunting is the "real"

    Jimmy Triplett and Bosco (whom I didn’t know played banjo, but should’ve figured!). https://youtu.be/m4C_GEI8ykw

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    Default Re: Which version of Chinquapin / Chinkapin Hunting is the "real"

    And just who was this Chinquapin? And what was he huntin' for?
    By the way I like the OT version, and Art Stamper's fiddlin too!
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  18. #16
    Registered User Steve 2E's Avatar
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    Default Re: Which version of Chinquapin / Chinkapin Hunting is the "real"

    It’s not who, but what. Castanea pumila. Don’t go chinquapin hunting in bare feet!

  19. #17
    Registered User mbruno's Avatar
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    Default Re: Which version of Chinquapin / Chinkapin Hunting is the "real"

    You probably don't need a hunting dog when you go Chinquapin Hunting - but when do you not need a dog?

    https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chinquapin

    I never knew it was a nut. I always assumed it was some type of slang for squirrels or something
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  20. #18
    Registered User mingusb1's Avatar
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    Default Re: Which version of Chinquapin / Chinkapin Hunting is the "real"

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve 2E View Post
    It’s not who, but what. Castanea pumila. Don’t go chinquapin hunting in bare feet!
    I think I've heard it referred to as Dwarf Chestnut before. Have you heard that?

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  21. #19
    Registered User Steve 2E's Avatar
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    Default Re: Which version of Chinquapin / Chinkapin Hunting is the "real"

    Quote Originally Posted by mingusb1 View Post
    I think I've heard it referred to as Dwarf Chestnut before. Have you heard that?
    I have! I was in the nursery/landscape trade some years back, but I still like to geek out on Latin names because they are more accurate than common names.

    As an example some folks call Picea rubens "red spruce." Some call it "Adirondack spruce." It's probably a regional thing, but either way it's still Picea rubens.

    Back to the OP, I think they're both great, fun, infectious tunes worth learning. I like the KY(D) version because the A part is pretty straight forward, but the B part is a little tricky. I like the VA(A) because the crooked A part is a bit challenging, but the B and C parts seem to roll right along.

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