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schlange - Posted - 07/11/2014: 15:44:25
This week's tune is one of the most recorded fiddle tunes out there. Originally called "Black Mountain Blues" when it was written by Leslie Keith in the early 1940's, it's probably best known thru Doc Watson's playing. (Doc's 1964 single, 'Black Mountain Rag,' was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2006.)
The Fiddler's Companion says this: "One of the most popular fiddle tunes in modern history..." (C. Wolfe). The piece became popular in the late 1930's. It was claimed by fiddler Leslie Keith (who is featured on the very first recordings of the Stanley Brothers), who said he wrote it in the early 1940's after taking "a little bit of" 'The Lost Child', and " a little of two or three of the Carter Family's tunes." He named it "Black Mountain Blues" after the name of a mountain in Cumberland County, Tenn., however, "The Lost Child" is the basic melody for the tune. Curly Fox changed the name from "Black Mountain Blues" to "Black Mountain Rag" on his 1947 recording for King, which eventually sold over 600,000 copies (Charles Wolfe, The Devil's Box, Dec. 1982, pgs. 3-12). The tune appears in a list of "traditional" fiddle tunes common to the Ozark Mountains, compiled by musicologist/folklorist Vance Randolph in 1954. It was also a favorite "trick" fiddling tune in the Texas tradition.
Typically played in the key of A.
Learn the Tune:
- Hear It using the GrooveShark playlist to the right.
- Casey Henry has posted a lesson teaching you the lead break for this tune using the "Murphy Method"--by ear, no tab! Lesson is only $6 thru the end of the week. Get it here >
- I also found a Banjo Ben lesson for this tune on YouTube--video is below.
- Backing Tracks: Band in a Box tracks are included below at various speeds for your practicing pleasure.
- Tabs: several in the BHO tab archives -- this one by Jack Baker is excellent as always.
Share!
I (and others) would love to hear (and see!) you play your version of this tune--post it in a reply below!
Pat Rhodes - Posted - 07/15/2014: 01:06:30
Oh Boy, another great Version from the late Dave Hum, I wish one could inherit such Talent.
Tom Berghan - Posted - 07/16/2014: 13:50:38
I was a little worried about Earl's condition when Randy was taking the lead . . . and then Earl takes his break . . . holy cow, he just never lost his knack . . . maybe he wasn't as powerful as his younger days but he still was kickin' *** and takin' names right up to the end of his days it seems. Earl was maybe 83 or 84 years old in this video? My hero!
ironhead - Posted - 07/16/2014: 19:45:22
Thanks again for all your hard work Eric. You do a tremendous service to the banjo community world wide! Much appreciated!!!
schlange - Posted - 07/16/2014: 20:32:25
Just finished learning this tune (parts A, B, and C) from Casey's video today. Fun to play! Now if I could just get over 80bpm cleanly...
chuckv97 - Posted - 07/16/2014: 21:08:33
Tnx Eric. It's a classic.
Cornflake - Posted - 07/17/2014: 19:50:54
Very nice choice and info, Eric. Thank you.
Catman - Posted - 07/19/2014: 05:21:20
One of the best versions of this song that I have ever heard is from Bill Emerson's "Gold Plated Banjo" recording. I particularly like the melodic style he plays in the B part of the tune. Great stuff!
MrManners - Posted - 07/19/2014: 09:26:15
to me it has been the foggy Mountain Break Down of flatpicking,and Doc Watson's subtle variations and confidence is the one to measure by--Tom
