KatB - Posted - 02/02/2022:  17:52:13

I originally learned Shady Grove early on from tab, specifically Old Woodchuck/RSB's tab. (I miss him, it was nice when he was around here. Hope he's somewhere out there, doing just fine)



I thought I totally had it down, and wasn't I just super proud of myself, until my mom tried to sing along.  I realized then that what I was playing, while note for note perfect, was not quite it. So I relearned it by ear, all good now.

But I don't know what to do with the B part I learned. It seems like most every version is just the A part, ie the lyrics. I'd like to include it. A friend of mine is figuring out guitar back up for my A part, so seems like I should figure out how the B part is really supposed to go. Any insight or links appreciated.  

Noah Cline - Posted - 02/02/2022:  22:07:22

Don't remember exactly who I learned this version of the B part from or if it's just what I've developed over time, but here's how I play it: youtu.be/FgbD2yIOPx8

I had the banjo tuned in a D modal tuning with the fifth down a step, so cADGA (fDGCD relative, or gDGCD). Otherwise I tend to use aDADE or aDADF for playing it in Dm. 

Dan Levenson's version is how I've heard it from time to time: youtu.be/JZxnp7i0Yv4

Sidna Myers' version was an early source for me, and maybe the basis for the way I play the B, but, I don't quite remember: youtu.be/qRAjZvKc5OA

I think most singing it tend to just play the A and then repeat it between verses instrumentally, much like one of my favorite versions by Doc Watson: youtu.be/b-kaG1NuLZM

Bill Rogers - Posted - 02/02/2022:  22:51:13

Henry Reed's version via Clare Milliner and Walt Koken

youtube.com/watch?v=pCVlshC7V30

janolov - Posted - 02/02/2022:  23:05:43

There is a nice B part tabbed out in Miles Krassen's book Clawhammer Banjo.

GrahamHawker - Posted - 02/03/2022:  03:30:00

quote:

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Originally posted by KatBso seems like I should figure out how the B part is really supposed to go. Any insight or links appreciated.  

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I've not come across a standard part B. I think people make up there own. It's a good test of improvisational skills. A simple thing to do is play the melody on the first string.

Bob Buckingham - Posted - 02/03/2022:  06:18:07

There are several B parts all added to make it more of tune. Wayne Erbsen added one and some fiddlers play a two part version. Heck some fiddlers play Last Chance in D! They should leave banjo tunes alone IMHO.

UncleClawhammer - Posted - 02/03/2022:  06:28:50

Can someone post Woodchuck's tab or a recording of the tune as tabbed by him?

janolov - Posted - 02/03/2022:  07:06:01

I think the B part it is more than a personal make up. There are a some players from Virginia and West Virginia that seems to play the B part very similar: for example Wade Ward, Henry Reed, Oscar Wright (no record found, but Miles Krassen refers to him) and Sidna Myers. So I think it may be a regional version that some players picked up.

I enclose two tabs. One is based on Henry Reed's fiddle version. The other is my own version, bur based on the version Miles Krassen presents in his book Clawhammer Banjo. There is also a tab of Henry Reeds version made by Ken Perlman in Banjo Newsletter 2019:11.

Shadt Grove_Jan-Olov

Shady Grove Henry Reed

BrooksMT - Posted - 02/05/2022:  11:59:24

I play a Gmodal version with a B part. The B part is based on Steve Baughman's "Clawhammer Guitar" instructional CD. I really like Steve's CD. My attached .mp3 is played at 70bpm; A part twice, B part in between.

I agree, Kat, I miss Old Woodchuck too.



Hope this helps.

Edited by - BrooksMT on 02/05/2022 12:02:39

Shady Grove

 

Ed Banjer - Posted - 02/06/2022:  10:13:20

I have the B part tab written down somewhere that my banjo instructor gave us for this tune. I think it's in A modal, or maybe G modal, can't remember. I've since moved so I would have to track down a box in which my tabs are stored.

I will say, I also can't remember if it's Shady Grove or Soldier's Joy, but if you call out the tune at an OT jam, they will refuse to play it because no one can ever agree how the B part is supposed to go. My banjo instructor warned us of this but being the smartass I am, I had to find out for myself. He was correct. lol

BrooksMT - Posted - 02/06/2022:  14:46:25

Ed Banjer



Bluegrass jams usually have several people who want to play a solo within a song. The song leader will point to each of them in turn to let them know it's their solo time.



Seems like an OT jam could use the same procedure for Shady Grove B parts. If the OT soloist does not object, then anyone in the group could also play along on the B part if they knew that variation. As a bonus, all players would hear/learn variations on the B part that they could then use to make their own song more interesting when soloing at home.



I'm reminded of the great OT banjo player Hunter Robertson: I'm working on his version of Old Molly Hare, and Hunter never plays either the A or B parts the  exact same way each pass during this recording. I find the challenge of figuring out what he's doing enjoyable, and I think it makes me become a more rounded player. btw,, I have to slow down his recording to 60% speed (via Audacity) to have even a fighting chance of figuring out what he's doing, *smiles*



Hope this helps.

Edited by - BrooksMT on 02/06/2022 14:50:53

Ed Banjer - Posted - 02/07/2022:  12:23:27

quote:

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Originally posted by BrooksMT

Ed Banjer



Bluegrass jams usually have several people who want to play a solo within a song. The song leader will point to each of them in turn to let them know it's their solo time.



Seems like an OT jam could use the same procedure for Shady Grove B parts. If the OT soloist does not object, then anyone in the group could also play along on the B part if they knew that variation. As a bonus, all players would hear/learn variations on the B part that they could then use to make their own song more interesting when soloing at home.



I'm reminded of the great OT banjo player Hunter Robertson: I'm working on his version of Old Molly Hare, and Hunter never plays either the A or B parts the  exact same way each pass during this recording. I find the challenge of figuring out what he's doing enjoyable, and I think it makes me become a more rounded player. btw,, I have to slow down his recording to 60% speed (via Audacity) to have even a fighting chance of figuring out what he's doing, *smiles*



Hope this helps.

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Thank you for your response. I think one of the things that makes an OT jam different than a BG jam is that OT jams don't involve breaks. So there is never an opportunity for anyone to play a solo.

Now I was participating in a beginner's OT jam, so I don't know if the intermediate/expert jams had breaks because I did not attend any of those.