schlange - Posted - 08/25/2014:  09:33:46

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In this, Tunetorial number 14, Dan "Clawdan" Levenson teaches The Cuckoo.

There are SO many variations on this tune both notational and timing-wise that while this should get you started, you will really want to pick a version that you and your friends agree on.

As it is presented, yes, there are 6 beats in the 2nd endings of both parts and the final ending. AND just to confuse matters a bit more, for one more variation, there are an extra three measures that can replace measures 1 and 2 in the B part AND replace measures 3 & 4 as well making the first 4 measures of the B part 6 measures long for a total of a 10 measure B part. 

Phew! Enjoy...Like all old time, everyone plays it differently, but the masters from the Round Peak area of the country (Mt. Airy, NC, Galax, VA) did things just a bit MORE different than others which added spark to the tunes and made them not quite what everyone else played.

In this tunetorial, Dan does things a bit differently too as he just starts into the tune, plays it a few times, varies, adjusts, arranges and teaches the sections as he goes. Let us know how you like this different approach. 

This tune is tabbed out in Dan's book Old Time Favorites for Clawhammer Banjo (MB 30224).

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).

It would be great to hear some of your versions so far so post them here for all to hear!

BadWolf - Posted - 08/27/2014:  08:47:42

this is the song that made me want to buy a banjo and get started learning. i still havent learned this one yet though because as you mention, theres like 4 million different versions. ive never found a tab of the song that i have completely liked yet. they all have some part that doesnt sound right to me. dans version here is different then even those that i have heard. (not really a bad thing just different) i think my favorite is still the "original" clarence ashley version

Montanarick - Posted - 08/27/2014:  09:09:40

Dan, this leads to a question.....when I go to the American Banjo Camp in a couple of weeks I'm going to try to focus on jamming much more than I have in the last. I always wonder what to do or what happens if I call out a song, with multiple versions, and mine is different than what others are playing. Rick

obi - Posted - 08/27/2014:  15:21:02

Hey BadWolf

Check this version, there's no tab but it helped me.

youtube.com/watch?v=OvP4VxNb1fE

Clawdan - Posted - 08/28/2014:  21:54:04

Hi Folks,

Just back to Tucson so I'm a bit slow still in getting back to the computer due to re-settling in and getting hooked up again.

Badwolf - Mine is actually Ashley inspired and also others of course, but even he didn't play it only one way. Just go on and try to make it sound like what you feel it should sound like. Always sing a version first so you have a goal and don't worry about "original" versions. There really isn't one on this one.

Montanarick - Jamming is a skill all its own but basically you sort of lay back and hear which "version" or compilation of versions they play and work your way into it. Rhythm with chords, a few notes, a few more then building the "common" version. The reality is that the version that ends up being played (by the end of the jam of a particular tune) is a compilation of bits and pieces of each member of the jam group even if it is mostly the way one player started it. When in doubt, listen to the fiddler and (as Clyde Davenport once told me) follow the fiddler note for note (or as much as you can).  Enjoy the camp. I may get there someday.

AND, as mentioned above, tab for my version can be found in Old Time Favorites for Clawhammer Banjo - one of my latest Mel Bay publications.

Play Nice,

Dan

Clawdan.com

Marc Nerenberg - Posted - 08/29/2014:  07:01:37

Just to muddy the waters - this is my version in double C tuning. Some time long, long ago, in a distant galaxy perhaps, this started out as a version of the Clarence Ashley way of playing it. It changed over time.

VIDEO: THE COO-COO (Double C Tuning) (click to view)

Clawdan - Posted - 08/29/2014:  07:04:10

Nice Marc!