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I'm new to old-time, and it seems like there is a great variety of interpretations of traditional tunes. I worked up this skeletal arrangement of Cumberland Gap, and I'm wondering if it's acceptable to build on or if it deviates too much from the original tune?
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Originally posted by banjo bill-eWell, I knew what it was right away and it sounds fine to me. I don't think that I've heard the tune played exactly the same by anyone.
Good to know, and I'm glad you recognized it right away.
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Originally posted by Bill RogersSounds fine, John. Which of the myriad of tunings used for CG did you choose?
fDGCD. I'm going to develop this one some more and then start working up Hills of Mexico in the same tuning.
Ditto Jan! There are so many "Cumberland Gaps!" I play a two parter in G and a three parter in D. Your rendition is fine. One of the important concepts to get in old time as Jan says is that there is no official version of a tune, just "versions." That goes for tab renditions too! It also took me a while to realize that tab versions were just that – versions, and not necessarily the best that would fit in a jam session. Simplified "versions" with a solid rhythm fit better in a noisy jam where banjo subtleties disappear. Carry on! banjered
There are two schools of thought on this, especially with tunes like Cumberland Gap where there are a gazillion versions.
A: It's only valid if it's a good approximation of a version that happened, by chance, to be captured in a specific performance on a 78rpm record or recorded by a "collector" from some old geezer in the mid 20th C
B: If you enjoy it then it's ok. Even better if others enjoy it. If this is not true then we are more archaeologists than musicians.
I tend towards B.
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Originally posted by AndrewDThere are two schools of thought on this, especially with tunes like Cumberland Gap where there are a gazillion versions.
A: It's only valid if it's a good approximation of a version that happened, by chance, to be captured in a specific performance on a 78rpm record or recorded by a "collector" from some old geezer in the mid 20th C
B: If you enjoy it then it's ok. Even better if others enjoy it. If this is not true then we are more archaeologists than musicians.
I tend towards B.
I vote B
Hi John,
I really liked your variation/version of the Cumberland Gap. Music has to expand or it dies....I also just heard your Clawhammer version Lost Lula...excellent....Jack Baker
Originally posted by csacwpI'm new to old-time, and it seems like there is a great variety of interpretations of traditional tunes. I worked up this skeletal arrangement of Cumberland Gap, and I'm wondering if it's acceptable to build on or if it deviates too much from the original tune?
Thanks all. I'm going to flesh out the arrangement and practice it some more until I have it down pat. Then I'll eventually make a recording of it. I should re-record Lost Lula, too, as I'm playing it better now. I appreciate the kind words, and I appreciate any criticism as well. I've listened to a lot of old-time music over the years but never tried to play any until now.
Edited by - csacwp on 01/21/2025 16:58:49
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Originally posted by csacwpI'm new to old-time, and it seems like there is a great variety of interpretations of traditional tunes. I worked up this skeletal arrangement of Cumberland Gap, and I'm wondering if it's acceptable to build on or if it deviates too much from the original tune?
It is folk music, make it your own, as a teacher of mine said long ago. The exception is if you plan to go to an old time jam, then play more traditional way.
Never heard it quite that way, but it's fine.
If you're wanting to get into OT, I might suggest a copy of Mel Bay's 1974 Clawhammer Banjo by Miles Krassen. Shouldn't be too hard to find, and it seems to me that someone recorded all of the arrangements. Perhaps someone on here would know where to find it.
The idea is not necessarily to imitate, but rather to get an idea of what techniques are used in certain situations, which is what defines "style" both personal and regional. Getting familiar with this aspect is where the advice to "listen, listen, listen" comes from.
At the end of the day, good job on your arrangement.