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Jan 21, 2025 - 11:05:07 AM
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csacwp

USA

3478 posts since 1/15/2014

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?


Jan 21, 2025 - 11:19:57 AM
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janolov

Sweden

43178 posts since 3/7/2006

I wonder if there is an original version of this tune? Traditionan Tune Archive lists a lot of different version in C, D and G, and it is difficult to decide what is the original.

Jan 21, 2025 - 11:29:16 AM

banjo bill-e

Tuvalu

14092 posts since 2/22/2007
Online Now

Well, 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.

Jan 21, 2025 - 11:32:32 AM

csacwp

USA

3478 posts since 1/15/2014

quote:
Originally posted by banjo bill-e

Well, 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.

Jan 21, 2025 - 11:33:35 AM

28473 posts since 6/25/2005

Sounds fine, John. Which of the myriad of tunings used for CG did you choose?

Jan 21, 2025 - 11:36:30 AM

csacwp

USA

3478 posts since 1/15/2014

quote:
Originally posted by Bill Rogers

Sounds 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.

Jan 21, 2025 - 11:36:37 AM

4985 posts since 10/13/2005

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

Jan 21, 2025 - 12:30:47 PM

1980 posts since 11/10/2022

As a non expert that only plays a Bluegrass version or two, I honestly would not have recognized it, but it sounded like a pleasant Olde Tyme tune. Good job.

Jan 21, 2025 - 12:38:30 PM
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4866 posts since 4/29/2012

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.

Jan 21, 2025 - 2:06:25 PM
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2497 posts since 5/19/2018

Sounds fine to me.

Most important, did you enjoy learning the tune? If you answered yes to yourself, then it is most certainly acceptable.

Jan 21, 2025 - 2:43:57 PM

402 posts since 6/19/2011

I liked it sounds different to what I'm used to.
Good job

Edited by - Badweld Banjo on 01/21/2025 14:44:39

Jan 21, 2025 - 4:07:38 PM
Players Union Member

dbrooks

USA

4832 posts since 3/11/2004
Online Now

Solid playing.  Your arrangement is different but everyone's arrangements are a bit different. That can be an issue in a jam or an ensemble setting, but play whet you hear in your head as a solo performer.

David

Jan 21, 2025 - 4:07:46 PM

195 posts since 4/19/2024

quote:
Originally posted by AndrewD

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.


I vote B

Jan 21, 2025 - 4:42:21 PM

10113 posts since 8/30/2004
Online Now

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 csacwp

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?


Jan 21, 2025 - 4:53:08 PM

5364 posts since 9/12/2016
Online Now

it seems about 99% of the fiddle tune types are never given a guarantee original---nowdays with a zillion tunes on the net-i just arrange them to suit me--cumberland gap no doubt had fiddle players riding thru--but it still leaves a lot of possibility in their musical roots

Jan 21, 2025 - 4:53:10 PM

csacwp

USA

3478 posts since 1/15/2014

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

Jan 21, 2025 - 5:07 PM

3548 posts since 3/30/2008

22 seconds is not enough of your excellent playing. Record the whole thing ! Why are you playing coy about your arrangement? The original version is lost in time, there are dozens of recorded interpretations, & your iteration is fine.

Edited by - tdennis on 01/21/2025 17:07:27

Jan 21, 2025 - 5:51:05 PM

Adam Sea

Canada

79 posts since 1/20/2021

Sounds great!

Jan 27, 2025 - 1:10:11 PM
Players Union Member

Rusty

USA

264 posts since 1/9/2007

quote:
Originally posted by csacwp

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?


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.

Jan 30, 2025 - 5:00:48 AM

9 posts since 11/25/2014

quote:Originally posted by janolovI wonder if there is an original version of this tune? Traditionan Tune Archive lists a lot of different version in C, D and G, and it is difficult to decide what is the original.

Jan 30, 2025 - 5:02:48 AM

9 posts since 11/25/2014

You Made it your own, sounds good to me. It gets boring to hear songs played the same way like everyone else.

Jan 30, 2025 - 7:01:50 AM

6382 posts since 3/11/2006

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.

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