Banjo Hangout Newest 100 Clawhammer and Old-Time Songs

For the old-time Tune of the Week, 3/10/17, White Hat is one of the many tunes notated in Harry Bolick and Stephen T. Austin's new book "Mississippi Fiddle Tunes and Songs from the 1930's." We only know that it was from a recording by J.E. Shoemaker of Moss, MS. I can imagine a photo of a Southern fiddler with a white hat on....It's a neat little tune that modulates, and as Mary Z Cox wrote, White Hat would make a good dance tune.

Last weekend I was at Breakin' Up Winter in Tennessee and had a great time. This is one of the tunes that grabbed my ear, and it's simple enough to learn quickly. The tune is from Kentucky fiddler John Sayler. I recorded this while waiting for people to show up at our twice-a-month jam.

Demonstration of Steep Creek banjo with broken finger

G modal tuning. Played on new birdseye maple open back

Double D tuning from the playing of Will Keys.

3 finger picking. Played on new birdseye maple open back.

For the old-time Tune of the Week, 3/3/17, this tune was once called Billy in the Lowground, but was given the prefix "Old Time" so as not to be confused with the other widely played tune. Mr. Gilbert played AB parts with crooked endings. These days it's played AABB. I arranged it for cello banjo in order to try a tuning equivalent to double C but would still remain in the original key of G.

I played along with the Kelly Gilbert recording with banjo in gDGde. Note, the fiddle was pitched in about G#.

Original CH Jig. G tuning but low. Wildwood.