Bluegrass - any suggestions for some toe tapping tunes?

[Prizen]

Hey all

I have no bluegrass in my repertoire, but would love to add some bluegrass melodies that hold their own without vocals.

Any suggestions? Preferably those upbeat / "get the party started" type tunes, if you know what I mean.

[Cypress Knee]

Try some fiddle tunes.

CK

[deltoid]

Black Mountain Rag
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdUrg2Cqxdw

or a finger-style version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPCbShs502o

Angeline The Baker by our own Toby Walker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKUT7ksv_OE

Billy In The Lowground played by Wayne Henderson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAbMvmv5cSs

Just to name a few.

I think most people that like bluegrass also like what could be termed as "old time" music and fiddle tunes.

Whiskey Before Breakfast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4L9fBPUswjU

[mushin]

Tony Polecastro has a site that is incredible for learning Bluegrass tunes. Its been so helpful to for me. With my schedule its really hard to make local jams.
I've been on there for about a year, still loving it!

https://tonypolecastro.com/

[ShawnH]

Beaumont Rag?

__

[Riverwolf]

musicwithryan.com - has a lot of bluegrass and Carter style lessons.
He has very nice detailed videos and Tab all for download at reasonable prices.
Most of those songs can be played fast or slow with a bluesy swing type beat.

[Prizen]

Thanks for all the replies. Did I mention, I just really hate it when there is some form of backing track playing / drum machine!!! Thanks again, will check out some of those suggestions!

[J Patrick]

.....Red Clay Halo by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings.....play it slow...play it quick.....its always great....my vote for the best Bluegrass tune of the last three decades....or maybe ever..

...but aint nobody can do it this good....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7knB3VtAqY

[Allen Shadd]

Dave Warner has a pretty good site, tab for songs if you want to learn, quite a few videos as well, and rhythm tracks for quite a few fiddle tune standards at various BPM to get you rolling. I've used these myself when warming up for contest practice routines.

http://flatpickapprentice.blogspot.com/

[HHP]

One of my favorites is "Stoney Point". Don't hear it much these days but its a great dance tune. Closely related to "Miss McLeod's Reel" which is a popular square dance tune. It easier to play than it sounds. I like to use it in a medley with "Temperance Reel" and "Goin' Up Caney"

[macmanmatty]

home sweet home

turkey in the straw

wabash cannonball

[HHP]

Here's a more modern tune that is fun to play and fits in the genre.

[jpfeiff]

Originally Posted by Allen Shadd

Dave Warner has a pretty good site, tab for songs if you want to learn, quite a few videos as well, and rhythm tracks for quite a few fiddle tune standards at various BPM to get you rolling. I've used these myself when warming up for contest practice routines.

http://flatpickapprentice.blogspot.com/

Will second this suggestion.

Would also recommend starting with some of the well-worn fiddle tunes like Red-Haired Boy, Salt Creek, Bill Cheatham, Cherokee Shuffle and the like. I'm just starting to get into this stuff myself. I must say that initially I had a hard time telling one fiddle tune from another. But after doing some intensive listening, I'm having a much easier time separating the melodies of these tunes from one another. And it's a blast to play! Finally starting to break away from the straight melodies and throw in some improv on some of these--super fun to sit around with others and trade licks back and forth!

[Tone Monster]

Originally Posted by Prizen

Hey all

I have no bluegrass in my repertoire, but would love to add some bluegrass melodies that hold their own without vocals.

Any suggestions? Preferably those upbeat / "get the party started" type tunes, if you know what I mean.

Get the Bill Monroe JSP book set and you got the cannon!

[hello people]

Sure is good stuff, yes sir, sure is.