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schlange - Posted - 01/08/2014: 08:38:56
Hi Everyone,
We're going to start posting a "tune of the week" for folks to work on here in the Scruggs forum. I've been doing this for a couple weeks over on this thread, but I've decided it would make more sense to have a new topic for each week's tune.
Each week we'll feature a new tune and include some info about it, along with links to free learning materials (tabs, concert videos, backing tracks, etc). Also, Casey Henry has agreed to let me sell her song lesson videos for a discount during the week the song is featured--so you'll be able to get a complete ear-training lesson on the song for only $6 (the regular price for these on Casey's site is $30, see the list here).
"Banjo Signal" was our first TOTW, so I'm going to post about it here. You can buy a streaming version of Casey's lesson on it for $6 through the end of this week, then it will be $25 here on the BHO. Buy it here >
Here's our first tune of the week--Banjo Signal. I'm posting it a bit early just because I have the time to do it. This is for the week of Dec 29-Jan 4.
Many of you may already be familiar with this tune, but I thought it would be a fun one to start off with (and I need to polish up the basic version I learned a couple years ago!)
Here's what I've learned about this tune from my research (feel free to correct me at any time)... it was written by Smiley Hobbs, famously played by his sidekick the great Don Reno, released on King KLP-579 "Instrumentals and Ballads". Although Reno is known for his single string work, this song doesn't really show it off much, since the A part is more three finger/rolling and the B part is rather melodic. And if you've purchased the DVD version of the Beverly Hillbillies show, you'll probably notice this song being used as the theme song (replacing Ballad of Jed Clampett) for copyright/licensing reasons.
The different recordings I found from Reno had him playing between 143-154BPM.
Videos:
Here are some YouTube clips of various folks playing it:
Tabs:
- Basic version from Rick McKeon: TEF PDF
- Intermediate version from Xavier Baron: TEF
- Advanced version (Bela Fleck's) from Hans Holzherr, edit by Jack Baker (get it here)
Backing Tracks in 4 different speeds are linked below.
You can also find this song on iTunes--about 25 different versions of it! But what I couldn't find was a recording of Bela Fleck's version, which is too bad because I wanted to check it out.
torpedo - Posted - 01/08/2014: 10:49:30
Great Idea. I learned this tune off of Caseys' instructional DVD. She did an excellent job, and I learned the tune in one or two days. A piece of cake.
KidfromDeliverance - Posted - 01/08/2014: 11:50:32
Looks great - I've always liked this tune, though never got around to learning it. Here's a good opportunity. It's not a tune that gets heard at jams or festivals, for some reason (at least none I've been to) - might it be considered too much of a banjo-showcase number for non-banjo players to learn?
Patrick
captbanjo - Posted - 01/08/2014: 13:58:06
I used to play this in my band.
I always thought of it as Don's answer to Groundspeed.
Wayne
rickhayes - Posted - 01/08/2014: 17:27:04
Here's a great video from Reno's Old Time Music featuring Don Wayne Reno and Carl Jackson doing a double banjo warp speed version. I particularly like Jackson doing harmony notes on the final break.
I'm also attaching an mp3 I uploaded last year of me attempting the Bela Fleck arrangement Eric referenced above. It's beyond my realistic ability but I really liked the tab (never actually heard the Fleck recording) so I gave it a try. It was worth it just for the practice and for learning some different licks and techniques.
Unclouie - Posted - 01/09/2014: 09:54:07
Eric
Is there a way to access the Murphy Lesson from ones home page after purchase or HangOut home page? Do I have to go through this thread each time I want to view the video?
corcoran - Posted - 01/09/2014: 10:24:05
Minor correction: Banjo Signal was written, as I recall, by Smiley Hobbs.
Michael
ken61 - Posted - 01/09/2014: 11:02:46
This website gets nothing but better and better.
I just downloaded the Murphy Lesson and it is quite good. I suspect I will be playing Banjo Signal shortly.
The historical info related to the songs is a real treat also.
thank you
ken
schlange - Posted - 01/09/2014: 11:13:04
quote:
Originally posted by corcoran
Minor correction: Banjo Signal was written, as I recall, by Smiley Hobbs.
Michael
Ah, you are correct! I'll update my writeup.
eddorci - Posted - 01/10/2014: 08:42:48
I'm at the point in my playing where this is going to be great.
captbanjo - Posted - 01/10/2014: 14:10:01
Didn't Don Reno write it? Did Smiley Hobbs play the banjo? I had always thought DR had written it...
Looking at the internet, it seems most credit Reno with it.
Wayne
quote:
Originally posted by corcoran
Minor correction: Banjo Signal was written, as I recall, by Smiley Hobbs.
Michael
stanleytone - Posted - 01/12/2014: 06:53:54
This is genius on your part to do this.what a help this will be to beginners and those who have the basics down and just need to increase their tune base.
stanleytone - Posted - 01/12/2014: 06:56:54
Very clever analogy. Just like Ralph Stanley's "Fling Ding" is his answer to Earl's "Sally Ann."
quote:
Originally posted by captbanjo
I used to play this in my band.
I always thought of it as Don's answer to Groundspeed.
Wayne
stanleytone - Posted - 01/12/2014: 07:01:10
Scott Vestal also has tab to Groundspeed from one of his "Bluegrass 95 , 96," etc. cds.
His second break , especially in part B, is the best alternate break to the song i ever heard. The guy is just soooooooooooo freakin good it defies description.
ken61 - Posted - 01/15/2014: 19:12:46
It would be great if these TOTW were tabbed out. I am working on Banjo Signal (Murphy version) in tabledit.
ken
rickhayes - Posted - 01/16/2014: 08:35:45
There are some tabs listed in the tab archive. Are you looking for a specific one?
Fathand - Posted - 01/19/2014: 14:18:12
There are 3 tabbed versions in the original post plus a chord chart and backing tracks.
OTOH the chord chart does not seem to match the tabbed versions???
quote:
Originally posted by ken61
It would be great if these TOTW were tabbed out. I am working on Banjo Signal (Murphy version) in tabledit.
ken
OldFox - Posted - 01/19/2014: 17:25:41
I've made a tabledit based on how Janet Davis plays it in her beginners book. It's not like Casey's version, but very playable, and I've put the chords in and I verified with Casey that they were right. I can send it to anyone who would like to have it, or if theres interest I can put it on my page for a while.
ringtailman - Posted - 01/20/2014: 05:26:39
Mr Old Fox ,could you post your tableedit version in the tab section of this web site? Sure would appreciate it! Rick
ringtailman - Posted - 01/20/2014: 11:24:33
Thank You so much Mr Old Fox!! There are quite a few variations to this great tune and this is a good version for us beginners.
derkhill - Posted - 01/20/2014: 13:18:21
Ditto that. Great tab and very playable. Thanks.
60spicker - Posted - 03/17/2014: 09:33:11
Sorry to be late to the discussion, but here's something from my files that you might enjoy. I apologize for the water stain. I'm not sure how it happened, because this is one of my most treasured possessions. It was written by Tony Trischka in my living room on January 7, 1979. Enjoy.
Tony Trischka tab for "Banjo Signal"
Terry
Edited by - 60spicker on 03/17/2014 09:34:14
captbanjo - Posted - 03/17/2014: 09:43:01
Awesome! I recognize Tony's tabbing style.
Wayne
