schlange - Posted - 06/27/2014:  10:36:34

In this, Tunetorial number 6, Dan "Clawdan" Levenson teaches Arkansas Traveler. This is another of the most popular basic tunes and is often played at jam sessions and festivals. There are many recordings of this tune so I do urge you to get ahold of some of the oldest you can find. 

BONUS note: Dan also introduces and gives brief tutorial of "The Chuck" and the double D scale.

In this and all of the Tutorials, Dan plays the tune three times through up to speed then slow starting with a basic version and building to an advanced one. Then Dan plays the basic version and breaks it down phrase by phrase. Same with the advanced.

This is tabbed out in Dan's newest book "Old-Time Favorites for Clawhammer Banjo" (MelBay 30224). Tab and standard notation with 2 cds of banjo and fiddle audio tracks.

Ready for a banjo workout? Enjoy and Play Nice!

You can purchase the video lesson (for unlimited streaming and download) here on the Banjo Hangout for $6. Get it here >

Dan and I would love to hear any feedback you have on these videos, so feel free to post or email us. Our goal here is provide a steady, affordable way for people to learn a new clawhammer tune weekly (or as often as they'd like).

If you're working on the tune, record yourself and post it below--we'd love to hear your progress!

XXXris - Posted - 06/29/2014:  20:28:00

Hey guys: Thanks for doing these, I think it is a great idea.

Here is one suggestion, which might be slightly more work for you.

What if you put a portion of the song (say, part or all of the full-speed version) up as free content? I suspect that would tempt me into buying many of the lessons. For instance, I bet there are a lot of people who know Arkansas Traveler, but would then see the "preview" and hear a few licks they would like explained, etc.

Or, when I'm thinking about learning a new song, I'll often listen through a bunch of lessons as a way of selecting on one. Over time, when you get more lessons up, it might help people to choose between them.

Anyway, just an idea....

Chris

mrbuster - Posted - 06/30/2014:  16:47:46

I agree with Chris. I was actually thinking about that before I read what he wrote. I was thinking it would be great if we could see a small segment (30 sec's - 1 min) to see what we would be getting before we purchased it.

swampyankee11 - Posted - 07/01/2014:  05:24:15

Agreed. The posted version of the first tunetorial, Polly Put the Kettle On, is what made me decide to purchase the lesson.

stanzukowski - Posted - 07/01/2014:  07:06:28

Throwing in my $0.02 in agreement. Ryan Spearman (and others, too) do the same thing. Some people are learning the song new. Others are looking to add new elements to a song they already know.

Keep up the good work! I've bought a couple and really enjoyed them.

RickUSR - Posted - 09/01/2014:  14:42:19

I fully agree with Chris

"What if you put a portion of the song (say, part or all of the full-speed version) up as free content? I suspect that would tempt me into buying many of the lessons. For instance, I bet there are a lot of people who know Arkansas Traveler, but would then see the "preview" and hear a few licks they would like explained, etc.

Or, when I'm thinking about learning a new song, I'll often listen through a bunch of lessons as a way of selecting on one. Over time, when you get more lessons up, it might help people to choose between them."

Rick

schlange - Posted - 09/01/2014:  15:08:06

quote:

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Originally posted by RickUSR

I fully agree with Chris

"What if you put a portion of the song (say, part or all of the full-speed version) up as free content? I suspect that would tempt me into buying many of the lessons. For instance, I bet there are a lot of people who know Arkansas Traveler, but would then see the "preview" and hear a few licks they would like explained, etc.

Or, when I'm thinking about learning a new song, I'll often listen through a bunch of lessons as a way of selecting on one. Over time, when you get more lessons up, it might help people to choose between them."

Rick

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Hi Rick,

Dan has been doing preview videos for all his lessons the last several weeks--so we took Chris' suggestion to heart!