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'July Song of the Month': 'On Top of Spaghetti' I receive many requests for children's songs. Now that school's out, kids have more time to play an instrument. This arrangement is based on the song, "On Top of Old Smokey". There are many variations on the lyrics including, 'Spaghetti'. This was one of my favorites when growing up and is still popular with children. Remember these lyrics? For more information about this song and additional lyrics and history, see this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Top_of_Old_Smoky There's never enough banjos!!!!
The melody to this song is simple but is an excellent tool for teachers illustrating harmony. I've included a harmony part on Mandolin 2. The first time through the song, the harmony Mandolin will be a 'third' higher from the melody line. On the second half the melody will go up one octave; the harmony mandolin will stay put creating a 'sixth' interval between the instruments. If you're a teacher, experiment with your students switching between the melody and harmony. First time through, let them play the melody and you take the harmony, next, switch parts. This will help train their ears for the third and sixth intervals. Of course, if you're not playing a Mandolin, the theory would work equally well with the Guitar, Fiddle and any other instrument. BANJO PICKERS!!! What a great tune to work with waltz time!!!! Key of G; open G tuning... your favorite! Notice on the recording how I accent certain notes to help the melody surface. Bass players; there are many many places to use effective bass runs between the chords. This song is not too fast, giving you more lead time to create your bass runs. Listen and follow along with the recording and pdf sheet music. As always, feel free to experiment. What I post here is not written in stone, these are just some suggested ideas. I've included several play-along mp3s to help with the interpretation with matching pdf sheet music and tablature. After working this up, I'm ready for something Italian. See you in August! Sheet Music and Tablature files: on_top_of_spaghetti_fiddle.pdf on_top_of_spaghetti_fiddle_tablature.pdf on_top_of_spaghetti_guitar.pdf on_top_of_spaghetti_mandolin_1.pdf on_top_of_spaghetti_mandolin_2.pdf Play Along mp3 Audio Files: On Top of Spaghetti - Banjo.mp3On Top of Spaghetti - Dobro.mp3 On Top of Spaghetti - Guitar.mp3 On Top of Spaghetti - Mandolin.mp3 On Top of Spaghetti - Mandolin Duet.mp3 On Top of Spaghetti - Harmony Mandolin.mp3 On Top of Spaghetti - No Bass.mp3 On Top of Spaghetti - Rhythm Backup.mp3
Bluegrass Festival Video Clips:
Bluegrass on the Beach - Lake Havasu City, AZ March 5-7, 2010
If you have trouble viewing these clips, you may want to try the VLC media player. It's open source and will play just about any media file. You can download it here: http://download.cnet.com/VLC-Media-Player/3000-13632_4-10267151.html
HAVE A GREAT MONTH!
'June Song of the Month': 'Haste to the Wedding' This happy song from Scotland is perfect for June; the month of weddings. I've patterned this arrangement after the traditional arrangement; key of D major. It flows nicely on the Banjo, melodic style in standard G tuning. The Guitar will play without a capo. The notes fall smoothly in second position, then fifth position on the second part. This is illustrated in the tablature. The Mandolin is presented in two parts; a standard solo and a second Mandolin harmony part. Many play-along audio arrangements are provided with different mixes to help with the interpretation. One of the mixes is the Rhythm Backup track to practice with. Enjoy!
Sheet Music and Tablature files: haste_to_the_wedding_banjo.pdf haste_to_the_wedding_bass_backup.pdf haste_to_the_wedding_dobro.pdf haste_to_the_wedding_fiddle.pdf haste_to_the_wedding_fiddle_tablature.pdf haste_to_the_wedding_guitar.pdf haste_to_the_wedding_mandolin_1.pdf haste_to_the_wedding_mandolin_2.pdf
Play Along mp3 Audio Files: Haste to the Wedding - Banjo.mp3 Haste to the Wedding - Dobro.mp3 Haste to the Wedding - Fiddle.mp3 Haste to the Wedding - Guitar.mp3 Haste to the Wedding - Mandolin 1 and 2.mp3 Haste to the Wedding - Mandolin 1.mp3 Haste to the Wedding - Mandolin 2.mp3 Haste to the Wedding - No Bass.mp3 Haste to the Wedding - Rhythm Backup.mp3
'May Song of the Month': 'Flop Eared Mule' This is fun tune that plays nicely on all of the instruments. This song was posted here some time ago. I've reworked it and included some nifty play-along mp3s. Flop Eared Mule is traditionally played in the Key of G, then modulates into D, then back to G. Sometimes the D part is repeated; I chose to go through the D part one time. flop_eared_mule_fiddle_tablature.pdf
Play Along mp3 Audio Files: Flop Eared Mule - mp3 (with the banjo fills) Flop Eared Mule - No Banjo Fills.mp3 Flop Eared Mule - No Banjo.mp3 Flop Eared Mule - No Dobro.mp3 Flop Eared Mule - No Fiddle.mp3 Flop Eared Mule - Rhythm Backup.mp3
'April Song of the Month': 'Amazing Grace' I've had many, many requests for this song. It was originally arranged in the Key of D and released in Volume 8 of the Bluegrass Series. 'D' was chosen due to the vocal range of the singer. This new version is a special arrangement in the Key of G. The tempo should not be rushed. Keep it relaxed and stately. I chose 90 bpm (beats per minute) for the audio recordings. To promote the new release of the "Essential Music Theory for Dobro and Fiddle" (see above) the Dobro and Fiddle are the highlighted instruments for this set, beginning and ending the song. The Fiddle, Guitar, Banjo and Mandolin will each take the middle break. This is reflected in the mp3 files. Audio mixes with and without these instruments including a Rhythm Backup track will help your interpretation. I'm also including a LARGE PRINT version of some of the arrangements, Guitar, Fiddle, Banjo and Dobro. This was suggested by my local students and I wanted to see what you thought about this. Would you like to see more sheet music and tablature in large print? I don't know about you but, as my eyes get older, the bigger notes and letters do help a little. Also, kids like the big notes. This is an experiment. If you like it, let me know! Happy Easter!
Sheet Music and Tablature files: amazing_grace_banjo_large_print.pdf amazing_grace_dobro_large_print.pdf amazing_grace_fiddle_large_print.pdf amazing_grace_fiddle_tablature.pdf amazing_grace_fiddle_tablature_large_print.pdf amazing_grace_guitar_large_print.pdf amazing_grace_mandolin_large_print.pdf
Play Along mp3 Audio Files: Amazing Grace - Dobro, Fiddle.mp3 Amazing Grace - Dobro, Banjo.mp3 Amazing Grace - Dobro, Guitar.mp3 Amazing Grace - Dobro, Mandolin.mp3 Amazing Grace - Dobro Only.mp3 Amazing Grace - Rhythm Backup.mp3
'March Song of the Month': 'Beauty in Tears'
This
song comes in by
request from our friends 'across the pond'. I didn't recognize the title
at first but I think when you hear the melody, it will sound familiar.
It's a very beautiful Irish lullaby written by
Turlough O'Carolan.
The Sheet Music and Tablature files: beauty_in_tears_fiddle_tablature.pdf
The Play Along mp3 files: Beauty in Tears - No Mandolin.mp3 Beauty in Tears - No Guitar.mp3 Beauty in Tears - Backup.mp3
'February Song of the Month': 'Devilish Mary' If you prefer, you can substitute a Guitar or Dobro for the breaks. I've included a variety of pdf tablatures and several mp3 audio mixes that you can experiment with. In the future, the 'Song of the Month' will be used to add more examples and exercises to the new series, 'Essential Music Theory'. I hope you enjoy the new arrangements and releases this year and can find something to improve your musicianship! Enjoy!
The Sheet Music and Tablature files: devilish_mary_fiddle_tablature.pdf
The play-along mp3 files: Devilish Mary - No Mandolin.mp3
'January Song of the Month': 'Swing 2010'
There
has been a good response to the book, 'Essential Theory for
Mandolin'. I had the concept of a 'master method' with
a practical approach to applied music theory since 2005. I started
writing and recording the material in 2007, setting the tone and
direction with the Mandolin. The Sheet Music and Tablature files: Swing 2010 - Fiddle Tablature.pdf
The play-along mp3s: Swing 2010 - Guitar, Dobro.mp3 Swing 2010 - Guitar, Fiddle.mp3 Swing 2010 - Guitar, Mandolin.mp3 Swing 2010 - Guitar, Banjo.mp3 Swing 2010 - Backup Tracks.mp3
(The Song of the Month is updated the 1st of the month. Previous songs posted here are moved to the 'Archives')
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