Apple Blossom, Part 1: Melody

This lesson is part of the course Old-Time Fiddle with Bruce Molsky.

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Get deep into the roots of Southern Appalachian old-time fiddling. Bruce breaks down the melody, bowing patterns, rhythms, and embellishments of each tune he teaches so you can really learn to play like Bruce and the old masters he learned from.

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GREASY COAT

West Virginia fiddler Edden Hammons was recorded in 1947 by a collector named Louis Chappell. Hammons’s playing has a Scottish influence, with strongly detailed phrases and an old-fashioned style of intonation. You’ll learn his version of “Greasy Coat” in this lesson. “Greasy Coat” is in A E A E tuning, and Bruce starts by playing the tune through a couple of times, before breaking the melody down for you phrase by phrase. He also shows you how Hammons often played thirds and sevenths slightly flat, and trilled the third. You’ll learn the melody of both the A and B parts in this video.

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APPLE BLOSSOM

Apple Blossom, Part 1: Melody

Apple Blossom, Part 2: Bowing

Apple Blossom, Part 1: Melody

This version of “Apple Blossom” was recorded by the John Lusk String Band for the archive of the Library of Congress in the 1940s. “Apple Blossom” is in the key of D, played with the G string tuned up to A, and it has a lot of similarities to “Sally Ann.” It’s a very rhythmic tune, so Bruce spends some extra time on the bowing in this lesson. He starts by playing the basic melody of the A part through, and then breaks it down phrase by phrase, followed by the B part melody. You’ll learn the melody to both parts of “Apple Blossom” in this video.

"Apple Blossom" (Available to subscribers)

"Apple Blossom" Melody MP3 Download (Available to subscribers)

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Apple Blossom, Part 2: Bowing →

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Apple Blossom, Part 2: Bowing →

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