Banjo Hangout Newest 100 Clawhammer and Old-Time Songs

In Carolan's Cottage I'm given to think of the blind harpist, Turlough O’Carolan, beginning in the late 1600's, wandering from "big house" to "big house," earning a living by entertaining his hosts with song and harp. His must have had his own small cottage when he eventually married and raised five children. Or perhaps the cottage of this tune was one of a few from his childhood, in particular the one on the land of a major patroness, Mrs. MacDermott Roe. It was here he caught smallpox and lost his sight. Subsequently he received instruction on the harp and was given a horse and guide to make his way in the world.

O'Carolan composed John Drury on his harp with lyrics to honor the wedding of John Drury and Elizabeth Goldsmith in 1724. The last line praised marrying for love, not money, though both bride and groom were well-to-do. Unfortunately the groom died a year later. I'm reminded to gratefully enjoy life's precious moments as they occur. My clawhammer adaptation, with finger-thumb-finger, finger-thumb-finger for the most part, allowed me to claw a jig -- a rare technique for me to use. It's quite fun to get into the 6/8 time rhythm, which I'm playing rather slowly here. I first heard the tune picked in Banjo Hangout member Ron Hughes' instructional book/CD called O'Carolan for 5 String Banjo.

I've been playing around with this ever since it was suggested as a "trance tune." Lots of fun!

For the old-time Tune of the Week, 11/27/15. I learned this from an Arkansas fiddler's recording when she was 93 years old! She's now 99. The title wasn't really Uncle Henry, but she learned it from him. Check out the discussion for more: http://www.banjohangout.org/topic/311807.

From Arkansas fiddler Violet Hensley

Béla Fleck Baritone

This one had the feeling of the season for me. In Double C.

For the old-time Tune of the Week, 11/20/15, this version comes from West Virginia fiddler French Carpenter, grandson of Solomon Carpenter who played a tune he called Camp Chase when he was a prisoner-of-war at that location in Ohio during the Civil War. It's said that by playing the tune best Sol actually won his freedom. Check out the TOTW for more info.

Played by Kentucky legendary fiddler Buddy Thomas. Every time I learn one of his tunes I feel like I'm doing extra credit homework for a master's thesis. They're always challenging -- he was a heckuva a fiddler!

A West Virginia tune from the Hammons family... which i (quickly) done learnt fer the Tune O' The Week! Played on a Vance tu-ba-phone, primarily in 2-finger style.

For the old-time Tune of the Week, 11/13/15, from the fiddling of Edden Hammons of West Virginia.

Recorded at the Florida Old Time Music Championships with my with on guitar, who is an awesome Old Time Fiddler..

Lee is playing one of his Dobson builds. Thanks Lee for sharing!

Key of A. aEADE (sawmill tuning). Source: Edden Hammons.

Don't know where in me this unusual melody came from. It sounded medieval so I picked an appropriate name, In Double C.