Clarence White’s version of “Soldier’s Joy” is a flatpicking classic, like Doc Watson’s “Black Mountain Rag,” Tony Rice’s “Nine Pound Hammer,” Norman Blake’s “Done Gone,” and Clarence’s own “Beaumont Rag.” Clarence’s version of “Soldier’s Joy” can be heard on a few recordings, including the Muleskinner album (with David Grisman, Peter Rowan, Bill Keith, and Richard Greene), from which this transcription is taken. It owes a lot to country guitarist Joe Maphis’s version, and it’s likely that it was part of the White family’s repertoire. He may even have heard Richard Greene’s recording with Bill Monroe. It starts simply with four quarter notes that help set up the time (Clarence usually played this at a blazing tempo. The Muleskinner version is about 360 bpm). Clarence then starts a line that’s similar to the Richard Greene version, with more of a scalar line than the arpeggiated old-time version. He also includes a chromatic note as it runs back up to the root, a typical Clarence touch. The B part starts with a heavily anticipated slide into the open E note on the first string, which really drives it along. Clarence is known for his highly syncopated approach to playing bluegrass tunes, but he could also play lickety-split fiddle tunes with solid alternate picking, too, as this arrangement demonstrates. Scott walks you through the tune here phrase by phrase.