#1
|
|||
|
|||
Bluegrass standards
What are some bluegrass instrumental standards? I'm looking to branch out my playing a bit and bluegrass is something I've never tried.
|
#2
|
|||
|
|||
|
#3
|
|||
|
|||
The term bluegrassers use to describe the instrumental music is “fiddle tunes.” Do a web search for some videos and instructions for those. Home Spun Tapes is one of the better resources. There is also a young guy on YouTube named Banjo Ben Clark who, I think, does an excellent job teaching popular fiddle tunes.
__________________
"Lift your head and smile at trouble. You'll find happiness someday." |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
LOL. Only one I can think of is Orange Blossom Special.
__________________
Just an old drum playing guitarist now. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
I'm only 4-5 years into BG jamming, festivals etc, tho it's what I probably do most of. In my experience OBSpecial isn't very standard in dedicated BG circles. It seems more like a showpiece usually reserved for less BG-specific audiences.
I'd agree that the list posted by FwL contains lots of common BG fiddle tunes, many of which you'll find a number of Youtube versions to learn from. |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
__________________
Just an old drum playing guitarist now. |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Some super popular ones:
Old Joe Clark Blackberry Blossum Soldier's Joy Arkansas Traveler Bill Cheatum Whiskey Before Breakfast |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
If you're prepared to by a book then The Complete Flatpicking Guitar book and Bluegrass Guitar Solos That Every Parking Lot Picker Should Know by Steve Kaufman.
Both are great. |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
You have that good list of fiddle tunes above, but there are also banjo-centric instrumentals, largely from the repertoire of Scruggs:
Foggy Mountain Breakdown Foggy Mountain Special Pike County Breakdown Farewell Blues Dear Old Dixie Fireball Mail Home Sweet Home etc. A few mandolin-centric instrumentals, of which Rawhide is the best known. But, in my opinion, you won't want to neglect the great vocal songs of Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, Stanley Brothers, Jim and Jesse, and the king himself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR8CVX1IXtY |
#10
|
||||
|
||||
I would say that Bunny's list a great starting point, and maybe add Red-Haired Boy. Beginning tabs for these tunes and many more may be found at:
http://www.bluegrassguitar.com/leadtabs.html As others have said, you can find all kinds of material on youtube. I suggest going for the simple melody lines first, as the advanced leads can get you lost from the original tune in a hurry. CK |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
Christopher Henry is offering a dvd course downloadable for only $15
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater |
#12
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
__________________
https://www.mcmakinmusic.com |
#13
|
|||
|
|||
Some not mentioned are
WildWood Flower Wabash Cannonball I'll fly away Battle hymn of the republic Turkey in the straw You are my sunshine Going down the road feeling bad Cripple creek The Tennessee waltz The vacant chair Beautiful dreamer Stoney ridge Red haired boy Sally godin Ashokan farewell Faded coat of blue Rugged old cross |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
I've been playing bluegrass for over 40 years now. I'm still learning new things. You'll find often that songs sound nearly identical with different names - "Sally Ann" becomes "Sail Away Ladies" when you change keys from C to G. Same thing with "Billy in the Lowground" and "Temperance Reel." "Lost Indian" and "Cherokee Shuffle" are also the same song, just different keys. So learning one song really gives you at least 2. Capos are universal in BG guitar. Embrace it. Most tunes are capoed to be played using the key of G and C chord shapes. Caution; only guitars, banjos and dobros may capo. Fiddle, mandolin and upright bass have to suck it up and actually learn to play in B, Bb and F. Hands-down best way to learn BG is play with other people a lot. Also immerse yourself in the genre. Listen to BG at work, in your car, at home, etc. Go to as many festivals as you can - there are great players to hear and almost always a great jam scene too.
|
#15
|
|||
|
|||
B and F are ok Rhythm Guitar keys Bb not so much. If you gonna solo though I agree keys of G (Em) A (F#m) C (Am) D (Bm) E (C#m) and are best. Sometimes key of F (Dm) works ok too.
|