Key of D – double D tuning aDADE (double C – gCGCD – capo 2)
In this, Tunetorial number 7, Dan "Clawdan" Levenson teaches The Merry Blacksmith. This is a wonderful tune but is not often played at old time sessions due to it’s more Celtic roots. Gene Goforth and John Hartford list it as Eminence Breakdown and both of them have great fiddle recordings of it. I do urge you to get hold of some those to listen to if you can.
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.
A little different!
