Banjo Hangout Top 100 Old Time Songs

Here's an arrangement for the old-time Tune of the Week, 8-12-16, based on John Herrmann, Dirk Powell and Tom Sauber. I like learning the repertoire from Snake Chapman and remember BHO member Jim Reed of Pike County, KY reminiscing about him. Snake and Paul David Smith visited the Reed household often when Jim was very young and encouraged him in his music until Snake passed away. This is a tune that Snake probably heard and learned without knowing its actual name. See the TOTW and learn a lot more!

Here's an arrangement for the old-time Tune of the Week, 8-12-16, based on John Herrmann, Dirk Powell and Tom Sauber. I like learning the repertoire from Snake Chapman and remember BHO member Jim Reed of Pike County, KY reminiscing about him. Snake and Paul David Smith visited the Reed household often when Jim was very young and encouraged him in his music until Snake passed away. This is a tune that Snake probably heard and learned without knowing its actual name. See the TOTW and learn a lot more!

When I heard BHO members bd and David Colgan play the minstrel version of Money Musk it sounded familiar, but I couldn't place it. It's actually an old Scottish dance tune, notated in a publication dated around 1800. Then I consulted James Buckley's minstrel notation of 1868. Next I discovered it's also a contemporary fiddle tune. With many versions to hear, I chose to play it minstrel-style, then old-time. There's lots more to know about this tune!

When I heard BHO members bd and David Colgan play the minstrel version of Money Musk it sounded familiar, but I couldn't place it. It's actually an old Scottish dance tune, notated in a publication dated around 1800. Then I consulted James Buckley's minstrel notation of 1868. Next I discovered it's also a contemporary fiddle tune. With many versions to hear, I chose to play it minstrel-style, then old-time. There's lots more to know about this tune!

From 1856, the Antebellum Period. A popular Minstrel song in support of the Abolition of Slavery. Sung in recitative style and played on early banjo stroke style. Written by Benjamin Russell Hanby, 1833-1867, who also wrote "Up on the House Top", "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas", and the hymn "Who Is He In Yonder Stall?"

1843. a very popular song in the Antebellum Minstrel shows. Played here with a copy of a banjo made by Joel Walker Sweeney circa 1840. The banjo was reconstructed by Luthier James Hartel. Percussion is played on a Donkey's Jawbone. The sound you hear is the teeth rattling when the jawbone is struck with the palm of the hand.

1843. a very popular song in the Antebellum Minstrel shows. Played here with a copy of a banjo made by Joel Walker Sweeney circa 1840. The banjo was reconstructed by Luthier James Hartel. Percussion is played on a Donkey's Jawbone. The sound you hear is the teeth rattling when the jawbone is struck with the palm of the hand.

This tune comes from the repertoire of famed Kentucky fiddler Ed Haley (1883-1951). Ed Britt and I recorded this back in November, 2014. Ed is picking clawhammer style on his OME Columbine, in open G tuning, capoed on the second fret. I am three finger picking my semi-fretless short scale Paramount, in an A variant tuning (aEABE).

This tune comes from the repertoire of famed Kentucky fiddler Ed Haley (1883-1951). Ed Britt and I recorded this back in November, 2014. Ed is picking clawhammer style on his OME Columbine, in open G tuning, capoed on the second fret. I am three finger picking my semi-fretless short scale Paramount, in an A variant tuning (aEABE).

For the old-time Tune of the Week, 7/22/16, this is a song originally recorded for Okeh Records in 1931 by the Woodie Brothers. It has since become part of the old-time repertoire. I found it's a catchy melody with fun words. Learning it has caused me to look into ash cakes and starry crowns. I haven't tried making ash cakes yet, though....

For the old-time Tune of the Week, 7/22/16, this is a song originally recorded for Okeh Records in 1931 by the Woodie Brothers. It has since become part of the old-time repertoire. I found it's a catchy melody with fun words. Learning it has caused me to look into ash cakes and starry crowns. I haven't tried making ash cakes yet, though....

Kaw-Liga

Kaw-Liga

For the old-time Tune of the Week, 6/24/16, Josie Girl was learned by Tennessee fiddler Charlie Acuff (b. 1919) from his grandfather. A josie is said to be a lady's overcoat with a cape. Art Stamper called the tune Josie-O.

I originally learned this from Wade Ward's version on County 701 "Clawhammer Banjo," incorrectly by pulling off notes on the 2nd string. Eventually I learned how to play it like Wade, but I returned to playing it the way I first played it, because the pull-offs seemed to fit well with my two-finger style