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schlange - Posted - 04/07/2014: 13:52:41
This week's tune is "Big Spike Hammer", written by Leroy Drumm and Pete Goble with popular versions by a lot of big bluegrass artists. The Osborne Brothers seem to have brought the song into prominence first (I know they had it on their 1966 "Up This Hill and Down Album"--not sure if they released it earlier?), and the Bluegrass Album Band in 1983 did a brilliant version as well.
The bluegrass "girl band" Della Mae got their name from this tune--you can hear them perform it in a video linked below. You'll typically hear this done in B.
Lyrics
Can't you hear the ripple on my big spike hammer
Lord it's busting my side
I've done all I can do to keep that woman
Still she's not satisfied
Hey hey Della Mae
Why do you treat me this way
Hey hey Della Mae
I'll get even some day
I'm the best hammer swinger in this big section gang
Big Bill Johnson is my name
Lord this hammer that I swing for a dollar and a half a day
It's all for my Della Mae
I've been lots of places, not much I ain't done
Still a lot of things I'd like to see
Big spike hammer that I swing or the woman that I love
One's gonna be the death of me
(From the Osborne Brothers version)
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: the last two listed in the tab archive are both decent.
Share!
I (and others) would love to hear (and see!) you play your version of this tune--post it in a reply below!
- - Posted - 04/08/2014: 00:29:26
That Navy band is really good.
Andy Campbell - Posted - 04/08/2014: 07:52:23
What key do John and Casey's lessons use?
Do any of the videos use that key?
Many thanks
schlange - Posted - 04/08/2014: 08:35:37
quote:
Originally posted by Andy Campbell
What key do John and Casey's lessons use?
Do any of the videos use that key?
Many thanks
John and Casey teach it in B.
thecirclebroke - Posted - 04/08/2014: 13:33:46
quote:
Originally posted by northwoodspicker
That Navy band is really good.
Melodic + Drive = Pretty
fixdent - Posted - 04/09/2014: 05:37:20
What key do John and Casey's lessons use?
Do any of the videos use that key?
Many thanks
Russell Moore is playing it is B
--
Gordon
Possom - Posted - 04/09/2014: 07:54:16
Naw that's an older recording on my 26 conversion
fixdent - Posted - 04/09/2014: 17:55:58
Is Casey Henry's lesson a digital download...??
--
Gordon
caseyhenry - Posted - 04/10/2014: 04:16:02
quote:
Originally posted by fixdent
Is Casey Henry's lesson a digital download...??
--
Gordon
You stream it right from the BHO site. It's not an actual download.
Tyler8 - Posted - 04/10/2014: 05:44:18
Andy,
All the videos are in B except Della Mae who sang it in E and the Bluegrass Album Band who sang it in B-flat.
I can't get the backing tracks to play but I assume they'll be in B.
Tyler
fixdent - Posted - 04/10/2014: 19:46:03
You stream it right from the BHO site. It's not an actual download.
Am I able to copy it to my computer....as I don't always have internet access, especially in my "'pickin' parlor"
--
Gordon
schlange - Posted - 04/11/2014: 12:12:51
quote:
Originally posted by fixdent
You stream it right from the BHO site. It's not an actual download.
Am I able to copy it to my computer....as I don't always have internet access, especially in my "'pickin' parlor"
--
Gordon
Hi Gordon,
In the past with TOTW videos you've only been able to stream them, but I just made a change so you can now download the videos! Just go to the link to watch the video, and on the right you should see a link to download it.
This applies to all TOTW videos.
fixdent - Posted - 04/14/2014: 18:40:19
Hi Gordon,
In the past with TOTW videos you've only been able to stream them, but I just made a change so you can now download the videos! Just go to the link to watch the video, and on the right you should see a link to download it.
This applies to all TOTW videos.
It is actually Murphy's video I'm asking about. Once purchased, can it be copied onto my computer......
Thanks,
Gordon
schlange - Posted - 04/14/2014: 19:25:41
Yes--any of Casey's TOTW lessons can be downloaded once purchased.
Roll Player - Posted - 04/14/2014: 20:02:40
There are quite a few versions of this song in the media archives. It's a great song.
My own version is one I did a couple of years ago for a post-a-thon here. I got a little sloppy on my up-the-neck break and forgot the words a little, but it is what it is.
guitarman8491 - Posted - 04/15/2014: 03:18:02
This song is a favorite for sure
skevincampbell - Posted - 06/03/2014: 22:13:06
I am struggling with Big Spike Hammer. It seems like Casey really speeds up the explanation when it goes from C to the 2nd Eminor lick. I am missing something, right there, and I can't seem to get it.
caseyhenry - Posted - 06/04/2014: 11:07:26
quote:
Originally posted by skevincampbell
I am struggling with Big Spike Hammer. It seems like Casey really speeds up the explanation when it goes from C to the 2nd Eminor lick. I am missing something, right there, and I can't seem to get it.
Hey Kevin, Do you have enough of it that you could play it and record it and either post it or send it to me? If I can hear what you've got I can tell you what you're missing...if anything. Feel free to DM me with any questions!
Casey
banjoy - Posted - 06/04/2014: 11:19:47
This is a cool tune and fun to play. Here are a couple of versions to add to the mix, one from a live gig and one from a living room jam...
skevincampbell - Posted - 06/04/2014: 19:57:16
Thanks Casey. Where it gets confusing for me is after the 2 alternating thumb C licks.
skevincampbell - Posted - 06/04/2014: 19:58:27
I wouldn't be able to post a recording, because my internet is terrible, and I can barely read BHO.
caseyhenry - Posted - 06/05/2014: 03:48:48
quote:
Originally posted by skevincampbell
Thanks Casey. Where it gets confusing for me is after the 2 alternating thumb C licks.
After each C lick you're basically doing a tag lick that has a 1st fret of the 4th instead of the usual 2nd fret of the 4th. If you don't alredy know the tag lick, or your fingers are not recognizing this lick as a variation on the tag, spend a lot of time here, studying and practicing this one. It's a difficult lick if it's not one that you already know. That leads you into the Eminor lick. The Em lick is tricky. Make sure that the first note (the 2nd fret on 4th) is an eighth note (it has a pause after it). There are only six notes in the lick after that and then you go straight back to the pickup notes that started the break.
It's hard to talk about this stuff in words!!!
Casey
skevincampbell - Posted - 06/05/2014: 15:03:17
Thank you much, Casey. That was it.
skevincampbell - Posted - 06/14/2014: 19:32:32
Ok, I had a week or more with not much practice time. On the 2nd fret of the 4th, it's an 1/8th note, then is it 1,5,1,2,3,1,5?
caseyhenry - Posted - 06/15/2014: 12:33:36
quote:
Originally posted by skevincampbell
Ok, I had a week or more with not much practice time. On the 2nd fret of the 4th, it's an 1/8th note, then is it 1,5,1,2,3,1,5?
Are you asking about the Em lick after the tag? The first one or the second one? The first one is 1-5-1-3-4-1-5. The second time it is 1-5-1-2-3-1, with the last note being an eighth note and then a separate roll follows that of 1-4-3-1
Hope this helps!
skevincampbell - Posted - 06/15/2014: 14:39:37
That does help. Thanks again, Casey. This TOTW has been the easiest way for me to learn all new songs, and tunes. I've just struggled with this one a bit.
