Tag Archives: old time fiddle

Arkansas Traveler

October 19, 2013OldTime FiddleArkansas Traveller, Eck Robertson, fiddle tune, fiddle tune mp3, hoedown, old time fiddleadmin

Arkansas Traveler and Eck Robertson

Eck Robertson recorded Arkansas Traveller and Sally Gooden for Edison Records in 1922. These must have been the first recordings of fiddle tunes.

Sally Gooden was included in the Smithsonian Country Classics. The other side of the original recording, Arkansas Traveller, remains a very popular tune in fiddle jams.

Here is the pdf file for the tune.

This is what Arkansas Traveller sounds like. First time, as it appears on the page, second time, a little more freely.

For another great hoedown in D, try Whiskey before Breakfast.

Golden Slippers

September 9, 2013OldTime Fiddlefiddle tab, fiddle tab charts, Golden Slippers, old time fiddleadmin

O Dem Golden Slippers is a tune we often play at the Bay Area Fiddlers. Composed in the 19th century, it has a gospel message. Golden Slippers for dancing on the heavenly streets of gold.

For a better printed version here is the pdf chart.

For a Gospel song that has a strong devotional feel, How Great Thou Art, delivers the message.

Golden Slippers in Fiddle Tab

September 23, 2010OldTime Fiddlefiddle tune, Golden Slippers, old time fiddle, tab chartadmin

Golden Slippers is a favorite at the Bay Area Fiddlers Association. We add new tunes constantly, and we also go back to the fiddle chestnuts of yesterday.

There are fancier versions of this tune. This one is almost a straight ahead cover of the melody as sung, with just a few fiddling changes.

And here is the pdf of Golden Slippers.

Down Yonder

July 10, 2010OldTime FiddleDown Yonder, fiddle playing tip, fiddle tune, old time fiddle, Vassar Clementsadmin

Down Yonder is a good old time tune that you don’t hear so much any more. My first serious exposure to it was when I listened to the “Circle Album.”

Doc Watson asked, “How does that go, Vassar?” and away they went. That version got published by Oak Publications. Alas, it is out of print.

Scotty Stoneman’s version is in the Phillips Collection. Like Vassar’s it’s advanced and rakish, a no-holds-barred music event.

What I’m offering here is quite basic. But, there are a few tricks worth noticing.

The kickoff is a particular bow technique that requires good control of the bow while playing near the frog. Here’s the tip: Keep the bow close to the string for the repeated down-bows.

Once you get going, the plan of slurs or separate bows should feel natural and easy.

And here is the pdf of Down Yonder.

New Five Cents

June 16, 2010OldTime Fiddlehoe down, money tune, new five cent, New Five Cents, old time fiddleadmin

This is one of the Money Tunes. It’s an old time hoedown. This tab chart is close to how I play it most of the time.

I think of the changes that the US Mint has put the Jefferson nickel through in recent years. Either you like it or not. I call it okay.

Fiddle tab chart for New Five Cents — New Five Cents in fiddle tab

When it comes to printing it out, this is better: New Five Cents in pdf.

100 Fiddle Tunes

Fiddle Tunes Published as Fiddle Tab Charts