bFunk - Posted - 10/12/2009:  00:56:55

After playing mainly clawhammer for about 6 months, I recently learned my first 2-finger song, In the Pines. (From Art Rosenbaum's book, Art of Mountain Mountain Banjo).
It is a really pretty song. The lyrical melody is kind of haunting. The main part with lyrics is quite simple (I haven't gotten down the longer instrumental break part).
Also, the first song I've played in open D (f# D F# A D), so killed two birds with one stone with this song.
Just wanted to give a recommendation to any clawhammer players that want to try some 2-finger. I feel this is a good song to get an idea of 2-finger (in this case, thumb lead). I found it interesting how the index basically took on the role of using the high open D 1st string as as a backbeat drone.

-Bryce

P.S. If anyone can point my way to other 2-finger tabs in f#DF#AD tuning, it would be much appreciated

janolov - Posted - 10/12/2009:  02:07:50

In the Pines is a beautiful tune when played thumb lead. It is a favorite of mine.

Another nice open D tune for two-finger is Coal Creak March as played by Pete Steele. He plays a combination of thumb lead and index lead (the lower parts with thumb lead and the higher parts with index lead and he uses some interesting thumb rolls to change between thumb lead and index lead). I learned it from Art Rosenbaum's first book.

I am also trying to play Arkansaw Traveller, Soldiers Joy and other "doubl D tunes" with two-finger in open D tuning.

.

Jan-Olov

Oalbrets - Posted - 10/12/2009:  07:14:30

Try Freight train, it is also a fun song to play.

Poverty Ridge Bluegrass

chip arnold - Posted - 10/12/2009:  07:33:42

I got to visit with Art a little this weekend and played some 2-finger for him. He recalled Pete Steele reaching over his shoulder to show him how to pick Coal Creek March. Coal Creek March is on my Hangout page in all index lead.

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

Chip Arnold

bob gregory - Posted - 10/12/2009:  14:11:42

G'day Chip, your Frankie & Johnny is a great tune sounds like it would be fun to play!!

munchausen - Posted - 10/17/2009:  15:37:56

I play a thumb lead version of "Reuben's Train," based on Doc Watson's playing in the DVD 'Old Time Banjo Styles' (with Mike Seeger). It's in f#DF#AD. Another 2 finger tune in this tuning can be found on Mike Seeger's DVD Southern Banjo Styles Vol. 3. It's "Roll on John" in the style of Roscoe Holcomb. Frank Jenkins' "Baptist Shout" is in the same tuning, but you'll need to use a 3 finger approach.

Chad

chip arnold - Posted - 10/17/2009:  15:47:56

Hi Chad, I have Baptist Shout on my Hangout music page in 2-finger style. Kirk Sutphin does a great 3-finger version on his Old roots, New Branches cd.

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

Chip Arnold

munchausen - Posted - 10/17/2009:  15:56:34

Thanks, Chip. I'm familiar with Kirk Sutphin's version. I'll definitely check out your version. I really like the 2 finger style. I think I'm better with thumb lead than I am with index lead at this point, but I'm working on the index lead. I played "Bright Sunny South" index lead, but switched to thumb lead eventually! Art Rosenbaum's "The Green Beds" is a great tune in the 2 finger style. Thanks again, Chip! Gonna check it out!

Chad