Arkansas Traveler, Part 1

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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Arkansas Traveler

Arkansas Traveler, Part 1

Arkansas Traveler, Part 2

“Arkansas Traveler” Play-Along Track

Arkansas Traveler, Part 1

“Arkansas Traveler” is one of the most popular old-time fiddle tunes, and there are many versions. In this lesson, you’ll learn Bruce’s version, which is influenced by, among others, Wade Ward and Glen Smith, who start on the high part, although most people start on the low part. For this tune, Bruce tunes his fiddle to “high-bass” tuning (ADAE), but “Arkansas Traveler” can, of course, be played in standard tuning as well. You’ll learn the high part of “Arkansas Traveler” in this video.

“Arkansas Traveler” Notation (Available to subscribers)

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