brudford - Posted - 11/17/2009:  11:15:07

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJqULQpGTQ0

I wanted a clawhammer version of Clinch Moutain Backstep by Ralph Stanley,
but I felt most were not true to the orignal . So at the above link you can see the
master play it himself . I found it fairly difficult to capture and tab out this tune trying to keep it's orignal feel with a clawhammer version . In the video Ralph capos at the second fret. You can play my version capoed to the key of A or just play it in standard G tuning . I did some research on this tune and found that when Ralph first
recorded it that they did it in standard G tuned up a 1/2 step ? If you go to my home page and click on photos in the upper left corner I have taken three different pics of the tab. Quality is not the greatest .If you cannot see the tab well enough e-mail me at bmiller9@yahoo.com and I can send you a very clear scanned copy .

Edited by - brudford on 11/17/2009 11:21:07

erstokke - Posted - 11/17/2009:  13:57:17

Thanks, great song, great video and great tab.

I have two questions, though:
1) Did you leave out the backstep around bar 3 of the B-part?
2) Have you tried playing it in sawmill tuning? It has a pentatonic melody which I think goes very well with sawmill tuning. If played in regular G (like Ralph), I think it looks from the video like he is fretting the second string at the first fret, never playing the open B string (the pulloffs in bar 2 and 6 and bar 6 of the B-part).


My banjo is pre-war. Pre the next war
Jan Erik from Norway

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 11/17/2009:  15:16:58

I have seen film of Ralph holding down that 1st fret most of the time. I find that an easy way to do a very modal section of a Major/Mixo tune - Like "Kitchen Girl"

I've never tabbed out CMB since I think it is a copyrighted tune

Besides it is so close to PD tunes there doesn't seem to e much point. If you can play two tunes in sawmill you can play Clinch Mtn.


http://www.rocketsciencebanjo.com
Rocket Science Banjo - Advanced Clawhammer Techniques for beginners and long time players alike. Plus videos and 25-40 EZ Clawhammer Tunes.
& check out "How To Mold A Mighty Pinky" at:
http://www.pricklypearmusic.net
banjo brad's great banjo site

chip arnold - Posted - 11/17/2009:  17:57:00

CMB is the old time tune Lonesome John but with two beats added to the 3rd measure of the B part. Here's a version of Lonesome John: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6b1...ture=related Your tab squares the melody up which turns it back into Lonesome John. Listen carefully to the B part when Mr Stanley plays the tune. Not sure where you're going with the 5th fret notes on the 3rd string. Most OT players use sawmill tuning clamped up 2 frets. Try Pretty Little Dog while your at it. It's another member of the same family.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=se13k0SNghU

**********************
Take what is given
Give what is taken

Chip Arnold

brudford - Posted - 11/17/2009:  19:48:15

Chip you guys are good ! I can honestly say that I have never heard of the tune Lonesome John .Really close to Clinch Moutain Backstep , makes you wonder ?
I was working on a song the other day for classical guitar written by Ferdinando Carulli . I was thinking if you just speed this song up a little you have the Beatles Black Bird . I think song writters often unknowing or somewhere in their sub concious draw from these musical experiences and use them . Let the lawyers sort it all out . When I tab out a new song I usually do not try to tab each note perfectly
especially with a bluegrass tune. I try to capture the feel of the song . For example ,
with Clinch Mt. with the D string sliding from the 4 th fret to the 5th fret alot of tabs will use a brush stroke on the G, B and D string . Try it with my tab it works . However, what I here Ralph Stanley playing is a more Staccato sound .
Infact I would say I hear every note as short and detached . When I get the time I will put up a music file with a guitar backing rhythm . Thanks for the comments .

Edited by - brudford on 11/17/2009 19:55:17

brudford - Posted - 11/17/2009:  20:16:30

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Kka9npO064 Lonesome John ,Hunter Robertson

I did some research on the tune Lonsome John . Check out the above link of this tune being played at a faster tempo . Do you here a little Clinch Moutain in there ?
This is for friendly conversation only ! do not want to start a copyright discussion .
I would guess that Lonesome John falls into the catagory of traditional songs .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJqULQpGTQ0 Ralph Stanleys Clinch Moutain .

Edited by - brudford on 11/17/2009 20:22:31