12th Street Rag is another tune that I used to play with my Grandpa, and my dad as a kid. I didn’t really do anything fancy with it until I heard Danita Rast play it. While, I incorporated some of her fanciness in it, and a little of my own, she has one of the […]
Salem Hornpipe – Fiddle Tune a Day – Day 116
First, I have to apologize for the misstatements I made in my introduction to this tune. 1. I actually learned this tune from Cody Marriott, not Junior Marriott. 2. I should have said that Cody learned it from a recording of Benny Thommasson, not “From Benny Thommasson”. Now that I have that out of the […]
Darktown Strutter’s Ball – Fiddle Tune a Day – Day 114
Darktown Strutter’s Ball was another of my Grandpa’s favorite tunes, and we often played it at our family get-togethers. I think it has a really catchy melody, and I enjoy playing it. I think you’ll agree. Learn to play this tune on fiddle here Darktown Strutter’s Ball according to Wikipedia “Darktown Strutters’ Ball” […]
Draggin’ The Bow – Fiddle Tune a Day – Day 110
WOW! Another crazy time trying to find out the history of a tune. Who would have thought that a tune like Draggin’ the Bow was so poorly documented online. Just finding the author was a crazy chore. As it turns out Curt Massey wrote the tune, but I couldn’t find the exact date. I did […]
Redneck Mother – Fiddle Tune a Day – Day 99
Ah, the mysteries of finding the origin of a cool fiddle tune. Here is the story of Redneck Mother – the best I can remember it: Tony Ludiker and Megan Lynch, around the same time, heard an old recording of Terry Morris playing this tune. There was no name of the tune on the cassette, […]
Honeysuckle Rose – Fiddle Tune a Day – Day 97
I learned this song from my Grandpa, who was the eldest Vi of the Vi Squad. My grandpa played the tune on guitar, and he actually learned the tune from Andy May. I have some great memories of playing Honeysuckle Rose with my Grandpa. He was truly a great man. This recording of Honeysuckle Rose comes […]
Cumberland Gap – Fiddle Tune a Day – Day 89
Who would have known that there are 6 distinct tunes called Cumberland Gap? Not me, at least not until just now. The tune I play by this name, I learned from an Orville Burns recording, and it’s really fun to play. It goes back and forth between G and E minor, and it’s really GROWLY. […]
Virginia Moonlight – Fiddle Tune a Day – Day 83
Today, I tried to record the tune myself without any assistance. I was in Denver on business, and after my meeting, I found a nice place on the South Platte River Greenway, and rigged up a makeshift stand on a picnic table, and went to work. I have done this a couple of times before, […]
Fort Smith – Fiddle Tune a Day – Day 66
I first learned this tune from a jam session recording of Major Franklin playing it. Dick Barrett also played it on “At the Fiddler’s Knee” It’s an old tune that is named after Fort Smith, Arkansas. There is a slightly different variation on this tune that is played by Missouri fiddlers, but it’s obviously derived […]
Mason’s Apron – Fiddle Tune a Day – Day 63
I don’t remember when I first heard Mason’s Apron, but I know it was a long time ago. I seem to recall having a recording of Mark O’Connor playing it. The thing that really sticks with me about this tune is its similarity to a couple of other tunes – Ace of Spades, and Red […]