BanjoSkills Blog
The Smithsonian Folkways recording of Ola Belle Reed playing Undone In Sorrow starts with one of my favorite introductions ever. In part "It's a sad, sad, sad mournful song. And when I get done with it it'll be pitiful.".
Originally recorded in 1975, Undone In Sorrow is a sad and beautiful...
With roots tracing back over a century, "Shady Grove" is a traditional Appalachian folk song that has become a staple thanks to legends like Doc Watson. Beyond the popular folk versions, "Shady Grove" has a fascinating history intertwined with the English ballad “Matty Groves." In...
If you want to play an old-time spiritual that's packed with history, look no further than "Gospel Plow." This traditional song has roots stretching back over a century and has been performed by music legends like Mahalia Jackson, Bob Dylan, and more.
In this blog post, we'll dive into the...
We're continuing our exploration of sawmill tuning with Cuckoo Bird, also known as Coo-Coo Bird or, simply, The Cuckoo. This song has roots going all the way back to the 13th century, but we're going to start a little more recently with Clarence Ashley.
Clarence Ashley is an old...
"Boil Them Cabbage Down" is a catchy old-time banjo tune that's perfect for beginner banjo players. It's short and sweet, has a great rhythm and, if you ever attend an old time jam session - this song is pretty likely to be played.
In this guide, we'll explore a beginner banjo arrangement...
Cluck Old Hen is a classic banjo tune that's been passed down for generations in old-time Appalachian music. This is such a fun song to play because it sounds great basic and loud or you can get a little fancy with it. The catchy, repetitive melody is easy to improvise on while the steady rhythm...
