Red-Haired Boy, Part 1: Basic Melody

from: Bluegrass Mandolin Jam Favorites with Joe K. Walsh

This lesson is part of the course Bluegrass Mandolin Jam Favorites with Joe K. Walsh.

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Learn the essential instrumental tunes you’ll encounter at bluegrass jam sessions everywhere. Designed for intermediate level mandolinists, with tunes, techniques, and solos from mandolin greats.

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Dixie Hoedown

The bluegrass jam favorite “Dixie Hoedown” comes from mandolin great Jesse McReynolds and has been recorded by numerous people, including Jerry Douglas, David Grisman, Matt Flinner, and many others. But nobody really plays the B part the same way. The version you’ll learn here is based on the way Grisman, Jesse McReynolds, Ronnie McCoury, and others played it on Bluegrass Mandolin Extravaganza. Joe starts by showing you the A part, phrase by phrase. You’ll also learn the chords to the A part in this video.

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57 instrumental favorites from mandolin greats Sam Bush, Jesse McReynolds, Bill Monroe, Chris Thile, and more
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Play-along tracks so you can practice what you’re learning
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Red-Haired Boy

Red-Haired Boy, Part 1: Basic Melody

Red-Haired Boy, Part 2: David Grier Version

“Red-Haired Boy” Melody Play-Along Track

“Red-Haired Boy” David Grier Version Rhythm Play-Along Track

Red-Haired Boy, Part 1: Basic Melody

The fiddle tune “Red-Haired Boy” is popular in bluegrass, old-time, and Celtic circles. You’ll learn the standard melody as well as a version that comes from guitarist David Grier in which he adds two bars of empty space at the end of each two-bar phrase. In this video, Joe teaches you the basic melody of both parts of “Red-Haired Boy” as well as a few simple ways to vary the melody.

“Red Haired Boy” Notation and Tab (Available to subscribers)

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Red-Haired Boy, Part 2: David Grier Version →

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Red-Haired Boy, Part 2: David Grier Version →

Previous Lesson

← “Over the Waterfall” Play-Along Track

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