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ajbadger - Posted - 04/01/2007: 12:33:52
Team,
I have been trying to find the great sounding CH arrangement of a religious pieces to study and learn. The goal is create a list of pieces I can play for a church that are unique and inspiring. Some can be sing-along; some, instumental.
Many of you have shared some great advice when your shared your overall favorite CH tunes. In fact, I used your responses to get these pieces and learn them. Now I how you can help with this religious question.
Could you please share your favorite clawhammer arrangements of religious pieces. I am interested in knowing the name of the piece and in what book it is available. (if it is in a book).
Thanks
Sincerely,
AJ
http://clawhammerbanjo.wordpress.com/
===============
"Reason is the slave of desire."
Edited by - ajbadger on 04/01/2007 12:47:12
spiritwolf7 - Posted - 04/01/2007: 15:49:48
I recall reading in these forums some time back that CLAWDAN was releasing a book of clawhammer religious music. I think that it was supposed to be through MelBay. Unfortunately I haven't heard anything more. Perhaps CLAWDAN could give us an update as to what is going on there. As I recall, there have been a few other related posts over the winter months and I'm certainly waithing.
SpiritWolf
+++++++++++++++++++++
The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it. You might as well expect the rivers to run backwards as that any man who was born a free man should be contented when penned up and denied liberty to go where he pleases.
Chief Joseph
Nez Perce'
1830 - 1904
spiritwolf7 - Posted - 04/01/2007: 20:19:41
quote:
Originally posted by J-Walk
This topic was covered last year:
http://www.banjohangout.org/forum/t...PIC_ID=63814
Yep! That's the very thread in which I first saw reference to CLAWDAN's endevor. I haven't heard anything recently from either CLAWDAN or from MelBay in regards to when it might be comming out. I had hoped that CLAWDAN might see the thread and respond with the latest news.
SpiritWolf
+++++++++++++++++++++
The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it. You might as well expect the rivers to run backwards as that any man who was born a free man should be contented when penned up and denied liberty to go where he pleases.
Chief Joseph
Nez Perce'
1830 - 1904
J-Walk - Posted - 04/01/2007: 20:44:37
AJ, have you heard Tom Wait's "Chocolate Jesus?" It's a nice song, and very easy to play.
maryzcox - Posted - 04/01/2007: 21:30:30
John,
That is a very pretty piece. 
Also, there is a gospel number with your little daughter singing on your first CD that I bet AJ would enjoy too.
By the way, how old is she now? Has she continued with her singing?
Best wishes,
Mary Z. Cox
www.maryzcox.com
If you suspect you need a new banjo--you do. Trust your musical instincts. If a banjo calls to you to buy it, don't fight destiny. It was meant to be. :)
chip arnold - Posted - 04/01/2007: 21:34:45
John, that's really a beautiful job.
Play with a plan
Chip
BANJOJUDY - Posted - 04/01/2007: 21:56:45
The first seder is tomorrow evening, and I've been listening to Pete Seeger's rendition of Dayenu.
I have some of the tune down in double D, but I am getting lost here and there. Is there an arrangement of Dayenu out there in banjotabland?
RyanHerr - Posted - 04/02/2007: 19:16:52
J-Walk, thanks for your clever and sincere suggestion. 
-Ryan.
BRASMAN - Posted - 04/03/2007: 03:43:11
quote:
Originally posted by jbalch
I've played lots of old hymns on banjo. They are often really easy. Some can be quite beautiful. My favorite may be: Be Thou My Vision.
I just uploaded the version we recorded for my ~HOT~ Biscuit Jam CD. You can listen to the full-length version on my BHO music page...or download the mp3 here:
http://www.banjohangout.ws/users/au...18142007.mp3
It is played is an uncommon tuning: E E A E E.
The singer is: Debbie Vaughn. Shad Cobb played fiddle.
http://www.johnbalchmusic.com/
http://www.myspace.com/johnbalch
Do you have a tab book with that song in it that can be purchased?
Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
BRASMAN - Posted - 04/03/2007: 03:44:47
quote:
Originally posted by ajbadger
quote:
Originally posted by J-Walk
This topic was covered last year:
http://www.banjohangout.org/forum/t...PIC_ID=63814
The topic of religious music was cover last year. But I do not see anyone sharing what their favorite religious arrangements, which is what I am really asking for this thread.
Thanks.
Sincerely,
AJ
http://clawhammerbanjo.wordpress.com/
===============
"Reason is the slave of desire."
The Banjo Players book had a whole section of Gospel and Jewish tunes in it.
Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
jbalch - Posted - 04/03/2007: 09:54:22
BRASMAN:
Thanks for asking about the TAB. I'm working on a complete book for the ~HOT~ Biscuit Jam CD. But it is not done yet.
Be Thou My Vision is one of the tunes that remains unfinished.
Because of this discussion, I plan to write the TAB for Be Thou My Vision as soon as possible. When It is done, I'll post it here for free download.
http://www.johnbalchmusic.com/
http://www.myspace.com/johnbalch
mrussell - Posted - 04/03/2007: 10:15:45
Mel Bay has a Gospel bluegrass tab book that also includes the basic melody line as well as the scruggs arrangement. As long as you have the basic melody, working out the CH arrangement isn't very hard.
I routinely play at my church as part of our OT gospel band. Here are some of my favorites that work well with CH. Mostly I've figured out how to play them from the hymnal or the sheet music. As with many gospel tunes, you may know them by other names.
Go tell it on the Mountain
Are you washed in the Blood
I saw the Light
Blessed Assurance
It only takes a spark
They'll know we are Christens
Amazing Grace
Lord of the Dance (Shaker Song Tune)
There is a Balm in Gilliad
Onward Christen Soldiers
and,
Be thought thy Vision. (I'll have to listen to John's version now and improve mine!)
Mike
mom of 10 - Posted - 04/03/2007: 10:28:20
Soon and Very Soon works out real good in g-modal, as do a lot of the Bb gospel tunes.
It isn't hard to work out ch arrangements of church songs just by looking at the music. I'm always running down to church and looking at the guitar book because the regular hymnal doesn't have chords. But, if you have melody and chords it's not hard.
I love playing Power in the Blood, Rock of Ages, and Sing of Mary.
Melanie
--Spirit Wolf, I used to live in Ark City, KS. Chief Joseph spent some time just south of there and had a good friend who lived in Ark City. Chief Joseph's wife made a beautiful beaded buckskin suit for this friend and it is now in the Cherokee Strip Land Rush museum. This is only about 10 miles from Winfield for anyone who goes to the festival there.
If y'got time to breathe, y'got time for music.
Briscoe Darling, 1963
oldtimer - Posted - 04/03/2007: 11:12:36
Some will think that I am being a smart ass, but I am not. My favorite spiritual CH is "Ducks on the Millpond" repeated incessantly until it becomes a meditative instrumental mantra...like a chant. This is sort of like "Appalachian Buddhist" meditation. You don't have to be a Buddhist for it to work for you.
Best regards,
Glenn Godsey
"Time passes unhindered"
BRASMAN - Posted - 04/03/2007: 12:12:07
quote:
Originally posted by jbalch
BRASMAN:
Thanks for asking about the TAB. I'm working on a complete book for the ~HOT~ Biscuit Jam CD. But it is not done yet.
Be Thou My Vision is one of the tunes that remains unfinished.
Because of this discussion, I plan to write the TAB for Be Thou My Vision as soon as possible. When It is done, I'll post it here for free download.
http://www.johnbalchmusic.com/
http://www.myspace.com/johnbalch
Thats great! You’re a scholar and a gentleman.
Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
RWJones1970 - Posted - 04/03/2007: 18:05:39
I have a few favorite gospel numbers that I play on my banjo. I like JUST A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE that I learned after watching the movie Cool Hand Luke. WHERE THE SOUL OF A MAN NEVER DIES is another favorite. I taught myself HALLELUIAH TO GOD after listening to that song performed by Elizabeth Cotten on one of her CD's. There's a few.
Treeman - Posted - 04/03/2007: 20:26:31
I did my own simple arrangement of Immaculate Mary. I recorded it and put it on my homepage. I also do simple alternating patterns to Sing of Mary, Holy Mary now we Crown Thee, Hail Holy Queen. Anything with Mary is good for Me!
I also like Brother Son Sister Moon, written by Donovan and For the Drums are so mournfull which I figured out from watching the movie.
Amazing grace, Just a closer walk with thee, I'll Fly Away...
Now that I think about it, most songs I play have a religious theme.
Luke 1: 46-55
ponty - Posted - 04/03/2007: 20:43:23
The John Balch arrangement for 'Be thou my vision" is ear candy!! A beutifuly played piece with great vocals and fiddle. Well done John!
Sola Scriptura, Sola Christo, Sola Fide
Jim Yates - Posted - 04/03/2007: 20:50:30
Ramblin`Jack Elliott has a nice clawhammer version of Sewing On The Mountain on his first album. I can`t remember who the banjo player was.
oldtimer - Posted - 04/03/2007: 21:34:50
quote:
Originally posted by Jim Yates
Ramblin`Jack Elliott has a nice clawhammer version of Sewing On The Mountain on his first album. I can`t remember who the banjo player was.
That would be Derroll Adams on banjo. I got to play banjo on stage with Ramblin' Jack at the Dustbowl Coffeehouse in Tulsa about 1967. He is a gas.
Best regards,
Glenn Godsey
"Time passes unhindered"
ajbadger - Posted - 04/03/2007: 23:42:57
quote:
Originally posted by J-Walk
AJ, have you heard Tom Wait's "Chocolate Jesus?" It's a nice song, and very easy to play.
No, I haven't. Where can I hear a sample?
Sincerely,
AJ
http://clawhammerbanjo.wordpress.com/===============
"Reason is the slave of desire."
Jim Yates - Posted - 04/05/2007: 12:27:32
I just tried What A Friend We Have In Jesus in open G tuning. It sounds good CH style.
BRASMAN - Posted - 04/08/2007: 23:01:36
Wow thanks a bunch! Thats my favorite song. 
Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
nancydrum - Posted - 04/09/2007: 08:36:21
Although I am not particularly religious, I just love old time gospel music. When we used to go to a bluegrass festival, one of my favourite parts was Sunday morning, listening to all the great gospel.
I would love a book of old time gospel tab for clawhammer (Dan - are you listening?)
Nancy D
nancydrum - Posted - 04/09/2007: 08:37:48
WOW - that last post just made me average!!!
Woohooo - I've spent the better part of my life trying to be average!
Nancy D
tonehead - Posted - 04/11/2007: 14:10:09
I believe tab book for gospel tunes is next on Dan's list.
Be significant.
BRASMAN - Posted - 04/11/2007: 14:56:40
quote:
Originally posted by tonehead
I believe tab book for gospel tunes is next on Dan's list.
Be significant.
I believe Melbay already has it and has just not published it yet.
Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
tonehead - Posted - 04/12/2007: 16:01:40
Great!
Be significant.
