What's your new fiddle tune?

[Jack Roberts]

I found a tune called "the Modern Rake" in a songbook dated 1762. I've been working on it this week.

[woodwizard]

Here is a try at "Money Musk" an old-time fiddle tune

[Don Grieser]

A Nancy Blake tune, "Father's Hall." It's on the Blake and Rice II CD.

[Gop]

A Nancy Blake tune, "Father's Hall." It's on the Blake and Rice II CD.

Superb!

[Tobin]

I've been having a lot of fun lately with Martha Campbell.

But - this is not the usual Martha Campbell version you've heard before. I heard this version on Pandora, played by Alain Chatry from the album Sur La Root. Alain Chatry is apparently (?) French, though the album contains traditional music from all over the world, including the US and Canada.

I'm uncertain as to the origin of this particular version of Martha Campbell, but if I had to guess, I'd say it has a strong Quebecois fiddle background. It certainly sounds French-Canadian to me, but I'm not overly familiar with that genre. If anybody has background on this version of the tune, which is distinctly different from the Kentucky based version everyone else seems to play, I'd be interested.

I do like the bouncy flow of the tune, though. It begs to be played in a swing-style picking rhythm (not straight eighths) to get the right feel. If you notice, the entire tune is based on the D pentatonic scale. It never deviates from true pentatonic. So if you're looking for a good exercise strictly with pentatonics, or are teaching someone about the usefulness of pentatonics in fiddle tunes, this is a good example.

I'm attaching the notation/tab for the mandolin or fiddle part. I'm also attaching my TablEdit file (TEF) if you're interested. I have parts in there for mandolin/fiddle, mandola (or tenor guitar/tenor banjo if you wish), clawhammer banjo, guitar, and bass.

[BlueMt.]

I'm not sure if it's technically a fiddle tune, but I'm working on Norman Blake's "Bright Days". It's just one of those tunes that always gives me a lift; I've listened to it for years and finally started to learn it.

[Don Grieser]

I'm not sure if it's technically a fiddle tune, but I'm working on Norman Blake's "Bright Days". It's just one of those tunes that always gives me a lift; I've listened to it for years and finally started to learn it.

Great choice. It's a Blake tune I had to learn too. Enjoy it!

[woodwizard]

I'm not sure if it's technically a fiddle tune, but I'm working on Norman Blake's "Bright Days". It's just one of those tunes that always gives me a lift; I've listened to it for years and finally started to learn it.[/QUOTE]

Great tune. I had to learn that one too. Playing it on my A4

[woodwizard]

I have also been working on "Lantern in the Ditch" Another great old-time fiddle tune with 3 cool parts ... played on my F5 Goldrush

[woodwizard]

And yet another fiddle tune I've been working on "Mississippi Sawyer"

[woodwizard]

Here's a fun old-time fiddle tune to play called Bull at the Wagon. John Hartford does a good version of it.

[crisscross]

I practiced "Maid behind the Bar" and turned it into a kind of Gypsy Jazz Hornpipe

[tmsweeney]

Jackie Tar with Ryan Delaney on Fiddle

[Jack Roberts]

Saint Joseph's Reel.
It's a simple piece that is fun to play and sounds great. Very Old-Timey indeed.

[Mark Miller]

Green Castle Hornpipe, from The Mandolin of Norman Blake DVD. Absolutely gorgeous, pretty easy to get the basics of it down, sounds great at a moderate tempo--in other words, perfect for someone of modest skills like me!

[Sandy Beckler]

Really liking Norman Blake's "Bright Days"...what a fun tune!
Thanks....Eric

Sandy

[JeffD]

I am absolutely addicted to "Old Aunt Jenny With Her Night Cap On"

Its got what I love

- a simple, almost imbecilic melody,
- places where you expect the note to change and it doesn't,
- eight beat in the A part and 9 in the B part

At first you listen a long time to figure out what the heck... then you are hooked and you just listen a lot.

[Jack Roberts]

This week I'll work on "The Snouts and Ears of America". I couldn't resist the title.

[woodwizard]

Been working on a few.

Washington's March
Sunflower Hornpipe
Ed Haley's Rebel Raid
Jimmy in the Swamp
Mike in the Wilderness
and here's a try at Durang's Hornpipe

[Polecat]

I'm learning (or trying to learn) "The glass case of emotion" by Hanneke Cassel:



It's the first tune in the set, runs till about 2:30. The recording on the album (Silver), is a little slower, but not much - at half speed I've managed to work out what's going on in the fiddle part at least, and have transcribed it to the best of my ability. Give me six months and I might have it up to tempo.

[woodwizard]

Got the old A4 out on this Lyman Enloe tune. Sunflower Hornpipe

[Michael Neverisky]

Mike in the Wilderness

Me too! Also another Salyer tune Jeff Sturgeon. I'd like to hear your Mike if you care to record it. Maybe I can put up my version as well. I love a good crooked tune.

[woodwizard]

Me too! Also another Salyer tune Jeff Sturgeon. I'd like to hear your Mike if you care to record it. Maybe I can put up my version as well. I love a good crooked tune.

Here is rough version where I was practicing along with a clawhammer banjo recording.

[Acquavella]

I've been enjoying working on June Apple and Cattle in the Corn, this week.

[Michael Neverisky]

Here is rough version where I was practicing along with a clawhammer banjo recording.

Nicely done!

Ok, here's a quick take with my phone this morning.