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schlange - Posted - 03/07/2014: 11:18:51
This week's song is our first fiddle tune in the TOTW (BG) series: Red-Haired Boy! This is a "reel" popular instrumental among fiddle/mando/guitar players (you'll hear it at just about any jam you attend), and is traditional played in the key of A. Like many fiddle tunes this one has two parts (A and B) and is played AABB. It's also known by the name "Little Beggar Man" which is a song with lyrics sung to the same tune. (It goes by several other names as well).
According to the Fiddler's Companion, "The tune is printed in Bunting's 1840 A Collection of the Ancient Music of Ireland as "An Maidrin Ruadh" (The Little Red Fox). The melody is one of the relatively few common to fiddlers throughout Scotland and Ireland, and was transferred nearly intact to the American fiddle tradition (both North and South) where it has been a favorite of bluegrass fiddlers in recent times."
In looking for banjo versions of this song you'll find that this tune is much more popular among clawhammer players than Scruggs-style players. In fact, it was featured as the TOTW in the clawhammer forum back in 2012. Since this is the Scruggs-forum TOTW, though, I'm concentrating on Scruggs-style versions.
Learn the Tune
- Hear It: If you aren't familiar with the tune, be sure to listen to the various versions I've included in the playlist to the right
- Casey Henry has posted a Murphy Method lessons for this tune--only $6 thru the end of the week. Get it here >
- John Boulding has posted a backup lesson for this tune, on sale for $5. Get it here >
- Backing Tracks: Band in a Box tracks are included below at various speeds for your practicing pleasure
- Tabs: Several tabs in the archives including nice Scruggs-style arrangements from Jack Baker and Michael Corcoran. If you're already familiar with the basic playing of the tune check out Gilles' video below, and see if you can play along using his tab.
Share!
I (and others) would love to hear (and see!) you play your version of this tune--post it in a reply below!
RedStar - Posted - 03/07/2014: 11:25:13
Nice choice, Eric. Very popular jamming tune.
I have been enjoying the TOTW offerings.
Mark
WildJimbo - Posted - 03/07/2014: 12:19:49
...
Debs - Posted - 03/07/2014: 13:53:16
Ahh Eric, that's a great photo! You know, we redheads are special!
Edited by - Debs on 03/07/2014 13:55:07
rickhayes - Posted - 03/07/2014: 13:58:57
Love the diversity and excellent musicianship of the posts above.
I submitted an mp3 in 2012 (I think it was in one of the post-a-thons going on at the time). My playing is certainly not up to the quality of the others but I just though I'd attach it here because I played it in a different cadence some might find interesting. My ending not only brings the sloppy playing to a halt but is probably my favorite part.
OldFox - Posted - 03/07/2014: 13:59:58
Hey Eric, What a great photo for sure; you haven't changed a bit, but your red hair has moved...
chuckv97 - Posted - 03/07/2014: 16:25:07
Ian & Sylvia also did this as "Little Beggarman" on their "Northern Journey" album from the mid- 60's. Nice guitar work by Ian and John Herald.
- - Posted - 03/07/2014: 23:20:25
When are ya going to do Sally Goodin?
skevincampbell - Posted - 03/09/2014: 19:29:16
I can't purchase the video. I add it to my cart, then, when I go to check out, the cart is empty every time.
schlange - Posted - 03/10/2014: 09:00:56
quote:
Originally posted by skevincampbell
I can't purchase the video. I add it to my cart, then, when I go to check out, the cart is empty every time.
Strange--I can't get it to do that. And I see you've purchased lessons recently and it worked.
Maybe try a reboot and do it again?
schlange - Posted - 03/10/2014: 09:01:40
quote:
Originally posted by northwoodspicker
When are ya going to do Sally Goodin?
Not sure--no plans to at this point, but you never know!
skevincampbell - Posted - 03/10/2014: 09:21:00
Same a again. Maybe it's an iPad issue.
Enviroguy - Posted - 03/10/2014: 14:45:09
thanks, Eric. I hated this tune years ago, then learned to play it and have some fun with it. Ian Perry had a nice little version in BNL that was cool... very banjoistic. Holy smoke you've put enough material here to keep us busy for months.
Cheers
schlange - Posted - 03/11/2014: 08:48:07
Just posted a link to John Boulding's backup lesson he created for this tune just yesterday!
On sale for $5. Get it here >
Mopick - Posted - 03/11/2014: 09:37:14
quote:
Originally posted by rickhayes
Love the diversity and excellent musicianship of the posts above.
I submitted an mp3 in 2012 (I think it was in one of the post-a-thons going on at the time). My playing is certainly not up to the quality of the others but I just though I'd attach it here because I played it in a different cadence some might find interesting. My ending not only brings the sloppy playing to a halt but is probably my favorite part.
It's an Irish tune and this sounded really Irish. I liked it.
hskrfn - Posted - 03/12/2014: 12:59:21
Being a red haired boy myself, I learned a simple melodic version years ago. I didn't play for a number of years and just started again. I really liked Casey's arrangement but thought it might be hard to learn. It was not, and she even tacked some backup on the end. This is another great tune. Thanks Eric.
hskrfn - Posted - 03/12/2014: 13:07:45
I forgot to thank Jim for his post of another very tasteful version. I will try to learn it as well.
gsoscott - Posted - 03/15/2014: 10:41:31
OK... I have a real dumb question....
I just purchased Casey's Wildwood Flower and Red-Haired Boy and John's backup lessons to compliment them.
How do I get to them??
:-(
schlange - Posted - 03/15/2014: 13:45:54
quote:
Originally posted by gsoscott
OK... I have a real dumb question....
I just purchased Casey's Wildwood Flower and Red-Haired Boy and John's backup lessons to compliment them.
How do I get to them??
:-(
Go to Tabs & Lessons>More Video lessons and you'll see your purchases there. Click to watch them whenever you'd like, as often as you'd like, forever!
