Clawdan - Posted - 11/08/2008:  14:48:35

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Fly Around aka Fly Around my Pretty Little Miss aka Western Country aka Blue Eyed Gal

Okay, I'm a day early, but this afternoon I have a moment and tomorrow I likely won't as we'll be having a tune time with the Tucson folks (come on join us if you are around).

I love the older and more common tunes especially if they have more than one version or an unexpected twist.

Anyway, as I note on my page I recorded this today (11/8/08) on my Vega Deering Tub-a-phone (1999) with imac using audacity (the program for this week's Tune of the Week. As you listen through, you will find that there are actually 2 versions combined in one. The more common one is first, but in the second, which I got from playing it with Bruce Molsky (historical reference on the way, it's not new to Bruce) you will notice the transition to a 4 chord halfway through the first measure and also at the START of the B part. OOPS, Edit here - The B part starts on the 5 chord in that version. Sorry for the mix up. Bruce says it comes from the Sweet Brothers’ 1928 recording. from the Galax area, but I can’t think right now of the personnel.

Though it took me a while to reconcile it in my head, I find it a pretty cool variation. You are free or course, to play as you will. Just remember, if you want to play nice with others, you'll have to find common ground.

I have posted the banjo version of the tune on my banhjohangout homepage and will work on a fiddle version also.

http://www.banjohangout.org/myhango...asp?id=10893

Fiddle version is up. Same place.
You will also note that there is a fretless version (fretless fly around) recorded with my Bowlin back in April.

The tab and standard notation for this is included in Old Time Festival Tunes for Clawhammer Banjo and I'll see about posting a pdf of that too.

We are now in Tucson, AZ for the winter, and available for lessons.


Play nice ,
Dan "Ain''t no bum-ditty" Levenson
www.ClawhammerBanjo.us
Get started right with Dan''s Clawhammer Banjo From Scratch - Book and DVD (Mel Bay Publications)

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Edited by - Clawdan on 11/10/2008 06:24:17

Don Borchelt - Posted - 11/08/2008:  15:51:20

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Great tune, great picking, Dan. And great fiddling.

Ed and I have an MP3 of this tune posted about a month or so ago:

Ed & Don's Fly Around My Pretty Little Miss MP3

I also have the three finger tab posted, if anyone is interested.

http://www.banjr.com/tablatures.htm



------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I don''t like to play it like he did. I try to play it the way I play it" - fiddler Lester McCumbers, interviewed by Erynn Marshall
Check out my webpage.

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Edited by - Don Borchelt on 11/08/2008 16:02:05

dbrooks - Posted - 11/08/2008:  16:51:13

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Thanks for the tune, Dan. And have a good winter in the Southwest.

David

gorf - Posted - 11/08/2008:  17:00:30

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There is a tab for this tune at stringband

http://stringband.mossyroof.com/Wes..._Country.png

Nice tune

J-Walk - Posted - 11/08/2008:  18:12:08

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Good Tuna choice, Dan.

quote:

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You will notice the transition to a 4 chord halfway through the first measure and also at the START of the B part.

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I definitely noticed the IV chord in the A part, but I can't hear any difference in the B part. Maybe you can show me in person tomorrow.

Looking forward to seeing you and Jennifer.

Anybody familiar with Rising Appalachia? Check out their version of Fly Around at CD Baby. It starts out pretty normal -- until the horn section kicks in. :) But it's all good.

Clawdan - Posted - 11/08/2008:  18:23:03

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quote:

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Originally posted by J-Walk

Good Tuna choice, Dan.

quote:

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You will notice the transition to a 4 chord halfway through the first measure and also at the START of the B part.

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I definitely noticed the IV chord in the A part, but I can't hear any difference in the B part. Maybe you can show me in person tomorrow.

Looking forward to seeing you and Jennifer.
....

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The B part start with the 4 is hard to imply or create with just a banjo or fiddle, but yes, we'll check it out tomorrow. Looking forward to a day off with tunes!

Play nice ,
Dan "Ain''t no bum-ditty" Levenson
www.ClawhammerBanjo.us
Get started right with Dan''s Clawhammer Banjo From Scratch - Book and DVD (Mel Bay Publications)

BANJOJUDY - Posted - 11/08/2008:  19:03:34

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Nice choice, Dan!

Glad you helped out here with Tune of the Week and with a great rendition of a familiar tune. Love your playing on the mp3 file.

November is filled up with volunteers, but don't despair. All of December is open - so please volunteer. Look how much we all have learned since J-Walk started this thread in July.

I need December volunteers to email me at inquiry@siliconheights.com.

Thanks...Judy

+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_
Don''t miss Mike Iverson''s performance in
Albuquerque November 19, 2008.
Also...a clawhammer workshop for
intermediate players is scheduled for
November 23, 2008. Email inquiry@siliconheights.com
for details or to register

vernob - Posted - 11/09/2008:  03:57:29

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As a Mac user myself, I'm curious about your use of Audacity. Your iMac already has Garageband. I use that at times. I also got Logic Express, which I use most of the time. What made Audacity the choice?

By the way, I like your recordings of Fly Around, that I knew as Western Country. I got my version from the Iron Mountain String Band.

Bruce Vernon

"A gentleman is a man who knows how to play the banjo, but chooses not to." - Mark Twain

"Don''t worry about mistakes. There aren''t any." - Miles Davis

Clawdan - Posted - 11/09/2008:  06:46:25

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Garageband doesn't make wav compatible files nor was I able to convert wav to mp3 (or perhaps just didn't know how). Audacity is freeware and there is an updated version for mac 10.5 that was incredibly easy for me to use. It makes proprietary files which you then export as wav which I need for publishing and pro recording uses. As a bonus, there is a free plug in that makes mp3 exports with some options missing from other programs. Like tab programs, what has great functionality to the hobby user (no slur intended) has limitations when you enter the pro world. Tabwrite was fine until I had to make any formatting changes or deal with files my publisher could use (Mel Bay) so I had to move up to Finale.

Glad folks are enjoying the tune. Great to be settled enough to record it for you.

Also, I have the tab/notation sheets ready to post. Any suggestions on how to get these up in the most convenient way?

Play nice ,
Dan "Ain''t no bum-ditty" Levenson
www.ClawhammerBanjo.us
Get started right with Dan''s Clawhammer Banjo From Scratch - Book and DVD (Mel Bay Publications)

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Edited by - Clawdan on 11/09/2008 06:53:57

maryzcox - Posted - 11/09/2008:  07:07:38

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Hello,
Here are a some videos of "Fly Around. "

This one is informal--sitting in the backyard--taped on my Deering John Hartford openback.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=517oWy98puc

This one is of me hiving my bees, and the soundtrack is "Fly Around" played as duet on my Deering Custom GDL open back and my Jeff Menzies (#16) gourd banjo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM9Kl7H4l3g

The beehive version is recorded as a tune on my "Banjo Dreamin' Suwannee Nights" CD and there are simple banjo tabs to it for both a regular old time banjo tuned in double D and a gourd or minstrel banjo tuned in low D in "Banjo Dreamin' Suwannee Nights" tab book.

By the way--if you do not already have this CD or tab book and have been thinking that you may want to get it--if you order either or both from me this month--I'll send you a bonus experimental MP3 of a brand new vocal--just recorded and not available on any CD or site yet.

Best wishes,
Mary Z. Cox

www.maryzcox.com
If you suspect you need a new banjo--you do. Trust your musical instincts. If a banjo calls to you to buy it, don''t fight destiny. It was meant to be. :)
http://oldbluebus.blogspot.com/2008...a-banjo.html

BANJOJUDY - Posted - 11/09/2008:  07:09:38

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Not sure how to put up a pdf file, but if the tab is in jpg, just upload it as an image (I think you first have to put it in your photo file).

Does that help?

+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_
Don''t miss Mike Iverson''s performance in
Albuquerque November 19, 2008.
Also...a clawhammer workshop for
intermediate players is scheduled for
November 23, 2008. Email inquiry@siliconheights.com
for details or to register

Clawdan - Posted - 11/09/2008:  07:12:50

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Try this link to download the pdfs

http://oldtimemusic.us/FlyAroundTabs.htm

AHAH! Yes, this will work.

Play nice ,
Dan "Ain''t no bum-ditty" Levenson
www.ClawhammerBanjo.us
Get started right with Dan''s Clawhammer Banjo From Scratch - Book and DVD (Mel Bay Publications)

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Edited by - Clawdan on 11/09/2008 07:16:01

maryzcox - Posted - 11/09/2008:  07:29:53

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Hello,
Here are a couple more videos taped by Judy of Fly Around.

This one is of Wayne Shrubsall playing a really awesome version on his custom Chuck Lee, and I'm playing a low D part on my 1865 John Bowlin' fretless. This was taken at the Southwest Picker's concert in Albuquerque.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n7X0y8jWZY

This one was also taped by Judy of "Fly around" as played by the Adobe Brothers in Albuquerque. This was an informal performance at a local cafe and notice it is live, no sound system and the wind is blowing. But--take a look at Wayne--is he ever tall and a solid banjoist.
I am not short and I am wearing 3 1/2 inch heels and you can see he is about two feet taller than me ! Not only does he play excellent--he is as solid as a rock. I even tried to bump him off the fretboard during his break--and he never missed a note.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBo5_EFyWW0

Best wishes,
Mary Z. Cox

www.maryzcox.com
If you suspect you need a new banjo--you do. Trust your musical instincts. If a banjo calls to you to buy it, don''t fight destiny. It was meant to be. :)
http://oldbluebus.blogspot.com/2008...a-banjo.html

Clawdan - Posted - 11/09/2008:  07:37:32

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quote:

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Originally posted by maryzcox

Hello,
Here are a couple more videos taped by Judy of Fly Around.

This one is of Wayne Shrubsall playing a really awesome version on his custom Chuck Lee, and I'm playing a low D part on my 1865 John Bowlin' fretless. This was taken at the Southwest Picker's concert in Albuquerque. ...

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I'd say Wayne's got it!

We'll be up in Albuquerque for a concert January 4th - see you all there!

Also, I have heard from Bruce Molsky who says the 4 chord version comes " from the Sweet Brothers’ 1928 recording. They were from Galax area."
Play nice ,
Dan "Ain''t no bum-ditty" Levenson
www.ClawhammerBanjo.us
Get started right with Dan''s Clawhammer Banjo From Scratch - Book and DVD (Mel Bay Publications)

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Edited by - Clawdan on 11/09/2008 07:50:41

Boyd1 - Posted - 11/09/2008:  08:47:07

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Outstanding! Thanks for the work, Clawdan. I think I'm going to tune up my banjo, get ideas from your 2 banjo versions and then play along with your fiddle playing. Not a bad day!

And a couple of people in the Sant Gervasi neighborhood of Barcelona are going to hear you play this evening.

I have always liked this song. I like to call it Western Country for some reason. I don't quite know why.

***************************
Anything you can imagine is real. - Pablo Picasso

BANJOJUDY - Posted - 11/09/2008:  11:28:22

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Wayne Shrubsall, Mary Cox and I (Judy Muldawer aka banjojudy) played Fly Around Tune last June at my house. I think my husband Michael was in charge of the video. Not sure why we chose the tune, but I'm sure glad we did.

Here's the trio - all playing our lovely Chuck Lee banjos and brought to you as a You Tube video - click below. There's a lot of banjo harmony going on - Wayne's really good with this harmony on banjo stuff. In fact, he wrote the book of duets for clawhammer banjo! Lots of harmony in that book .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jIsFA8wgf0

+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_
Don''t miss Mike Iverson''s performance in
Albuquerque November 19, 2008.
Also...a clawhammer workshop for
intermediate players is scheduled for
November 23, 2008. Email inquiry@siliconheights.com
for details or to register

Kitt - Posted - 11/09/2008:  13:21:16

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Way cool, Judy!

Clawdan - Posted - 11/10/2008:  06:27:18

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Say, had a great Jam with the Tucson folks yesterday and while playing it to show JWalk the chords discovered an error in my memory (ha, go figure). Anyway, the Sweets version has a 5 chord at the beginning of the second part, not a 4. Sorry about that. I have also edited the original post to reflect that for newcomers.

Play nice ,
Dan "Ain''t no bum-ditty" Levenson
www.ClawhammerBanjo.us
Get started right with Dan''s Clawhammer Banjo From Scratch - Book and DVD (Mel Bay Publications)

lori nitzel - Posted - 11/10/2008:  11:07:34

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hey dan ~ great recording of this fun tune!! and don, love yours too!!
i've always liked to play this one. my favorite version has been Frailin's - on his BHO music page. it's awesome; check it out.
dan - i use "Switch" to convert my garageband files to mp3s and wavs. i think it's a free application. let me know if you want more info :)



Best,
Lori Nitzel
Fort Collins, CO

ZEPP - Posted - 11/10/2008:  11:34:25

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I usually play a version with a different B part than most folks play (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Prq6h9YgbNw). I'm not sure where this comes from at all, though I know I learned it from a couple of fiddlers from the Boston area. Anyone else play this B part?

Cheers,
ZEPP

chip arnold - Posted - 11/10/2008:  11:42:54

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I like that version Zepp and wonderful playing as usual. It reminds me of part of Sally Ann.

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

Chip Arnold

ZEPP - Posted - 11/10/2008:  12:11:37

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Thanks, Chip!

BTW, doesn't this tune also go by the moniker Suzanna Gal?

Cheers,
ZEPP

chip arnold - Posted - 11/10/2008:  12:32:22

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Suzanna and Susananna are two names I've heard. I remember it being in Miles Krassen's book as Western Country too.

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

Chip Arnold

nmusser - Posted - 11/10/2008:  13:49:33

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The B-part sounds a little like what Rayna Gellert plays.

Her version reminds me of the B-part in Frank Blevins & His Tar Heel Rattlers' version

We play this one in our band, I should try to talk everyone else into throwing in that cool B-part -- maybe in the middle somewhere...

bagunhe - Posted - 11/10/2008:  19:07:06

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I've not heard the Sweet Brother's but as nmusser wrote, the B part with v chord reminds me Frank Blevins & His Tar Heel Rattlers' , too.
And Zepp's B part sounds a lot like Emmet Lundy's except one note in the middle. Oh, and different key
Bosco

konnichiwa, arigato, sayonara

ZEPP - Posted - 11/10/2008:  19:15:28

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Well, the key thing is only because I didn't bother to find a capo... I usually play it in D, where it belongs!

Cheers,
ZEPP

Cathy Moore - Posted - 11/10/2008:  20:10:30

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Zepp's B part is similar to the way Illinois fiddler Garry Harrison plays it. Unless it's got a different name than the ones already mentioned here, it doesn't appear to be in his Dear Old Illinois collection, so maybe he picked it up from someone other than his Illinois sources. I've got a basic MP3 and tab of it here:

http://banjomeetsworld.wordpress.co...little-miss/

srselby - Posted - 11/15/2008:  05:36:44

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Really enjoyed learning 'Fly Around'. I've tabbed my version along with 'Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier'. Both are posted here:
http://www.banjohangout.org/myhango...72&albumid=0

Stephen

handsup8 - Posted - 11/15/2008:  09:30:52

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Tommy Jarrell plays/sings it as "Blue Eyed Gal." I think that's how it's presented in Mr. Leftwich's book.

"Fly Around" is also basically the same as the Irish tune "Waxies' Dargle." It's played by the Pogues on their great album "Red Roses for Me."

Handsup8

BANJOJUDY - Posted - 01/05/2009:  09:28:30

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Dan and Jennifer spent the weekend with us here in Albuquerque, and I captured them on video playing Fly Around (and a few other tunes).

Check out the video on youtube - just look for banjojudy (one word) and you'll see two movies of Dan and Jennifer plus a third with the addition of Wayne Shrubsall.

Enjoy the good music.

Judy

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Where you will find great prices on
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gailg64 - Posted - 01/05/2009:  12:15:22

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Hi Zepp,
Fly Around: Yes, love it! This is quite close to the 2nd part I play. It was found in & around Patrick & Floyd counties VA--recorded versions include Emmett Lundy. I learned it from my banjo mentor, the late Martin Marshall who played with fiddler Ernest Stanley of the Laurel Fork community (stomping grounds of the Kimble & Spangler families). It's a gorgeous loopy, rolling fiddle style & the banjo was generally picked, either 2 or 3 finger. Martin Marshall's words were:
Don't you want to marry gal, don't you want to roam?
Don't you want to marry gal & settle down in a home?

I'm too young to marry gal I'm to young to roam
I'm too young to settle down in a home.

It was so sweet & charming that Martin sang these verses at the age of 90. Too young for a "home" indeed! Alice Gerrard & I recorded him at his home (a rambling 1820s log & timberframe home) in the early 90s. The recordings, listed within the "Alice Gerrard Collection" are on deposit in the NC Folklife Collection, UNC Chapel Hill. This reminds me that I have cassettes from these visits that I need to digitize -- at the top of my retirement to-do list.
Banjo style content: Martin played in an old-time 3 finger style derived from the local 2-finger style he had learned as a boy from Taylor Kimble. Index on the inner strings & middle strictly on the first, thumb strictly on the 5th. Lots of drones & it worked with all the tunes others now play clawhammer. I have developed a modified version since my thumb wants to wander, but play several of his tunes including his Richmond & Fly Around.
Gail

This version of the high part got into general circulation via the Emmett Lundy recording & maybe Bruce Molsky.
Gail

quote]Originally posted by ZEPP

I usually play a version with a different B part than most folks play (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Prq6h9YgbNw). I'm not sure where this comes from at all, though I know I learned it from a couple of fiddlers from the Boston area. Anyone else play this B part?

Cheers,
ZEPP


[/quote]

"Time is music" - Paul Sutphiin

bluemule_77 - Posted - 01/05/2009:  16:23:39

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I can't recall (or, at the moment, check to see) who it was, but I got a version of Fly Around from the Digital Library of Appalachia whose performer introduced it as "Fly Around My Pretty Little Maid" but said it was also known as "Sugar Betty Ann." So there is yet ANOTHER alias for ye.

BM

Rizo - Posted - 01/07/2009:  05:14:17

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Dan, to convert a Garage Band file to an MP3, simply export it to iTunes. Works for me!

That's also a handy way to "bounce" tracks (if you're an old 4-track guy like me, you know what I'm talking about). You export to iTunes, then open the iTunes file in GarageBand. Boom, instant bounced track.

Clawdan - Posted - 01/07/2009:  06:48:44

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quote:

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Originally posted by Rizo

Dan, to convert a Garage Band file to an MP3, simply export it to iTunes. Works for me!

That's also a handy way to "bounce" tracks (if you're an old 4-track guy like me, you know what I'm talking about). You export to iTunes, then open the iTunes file in GarageBand. Boom, instant bounced track.

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Thanks Rizo,
After working with it a bit, I found Audacity had a free download mp3 converter. The problem with going to itunes, was that it is cumbersome to change sampling rates and stereo/mono settings which we need now and then.

On another note, I finally got a copy of the more "unusual" chording version of the tune from OTFiddler and musician extrodonaire Jack Spence (actually he plays EVERYThign). AND it seems that this version was recorded by Frank Blevins & hsi Tar Heel Rattlers Nov. 8, 1927.

Still really enjoying the tune. Now also posted on my youtube page featuring the Boiled Buzzards String Band in Albuquerque!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCtpvuVInMY

Play nice ,
Dan "Ain''t no bum-ditty" Levenson
www.ClawhammerBanjo.us
Get started right with Dan''s Clawhammer Banjo From Scratch - Book and DVD (Mel Bay Publications)

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Edited by - Clawdan on 01/07/2009 06:50:38

frailin - Posted - 01/07/2009:  08:02:35

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So many variations... so little time!

I LOVE this tune! Here's my take.

http://www.banjohangout.org/myhango...musicid=2579

Whee!

"Gospel. The most powerful music in this world and the next."



www.frailin.com
www.myspace.com/frailin
www.myspace.com/singletonstreet
www.myspace.com/eelpouts
&
www.autismhangout.com

Kitt - Posted - 01/07/2009:  08:20:46

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Nice one, Frailin!