![[ ZEPP Country Music]](../logobw.gif)
Disclaimer: Most of these sound files have been recorded quickly and simply to demonstrate (or keep a copy of)
the sound of particular instruments. Some were done as recordings of lessons for my students and follow my tablature fairly closely (these tunes tend to be
played quite slowly for that reason). Regardless, please understand that these are quick & dirty recordings of no particular importance.
Please feel free to download them and/or use them in any non-commercial way you choose.
If you would like to use something for commercial purpose (on a website, etc.), I ask only that you give me credit somewhere.
If you have any questions or comments about the sounds of the instruments, I shall be happy to discuss them with you. DBZ
Goofing Off Suite Theme. I loved this tune--it was the theme of the folk music radio show I listened to in high school. Pete Seeger used it on his Goofing Off Suite as the first and last piece--capoed one time, and played sans capo on his long neck the other time (he whistled a counterpoint to the theme, BTW). Anyway, whenever I get a long neck in, I have to play this! This one is an Gretsch-built Ode aluminum-pot archtop! Near eAEG#B, which,
when capoed at the 3rd fret, is "classical C": gCGBD This mp3 is the soundtrack to the 
video on YouTube.
Eighth of January. Prompted by a posting on banjohangout.org, I recorded this on the 9th of January, (*sigh*) 2007 playing my Ramsey Woody prototype. Open C tuning (gCGCE) capoed to D.
Magpie. I learned this from the fiddler in our band in the 1970s, and promptly forgot the tune entirely. Believe it or not, about 30 years later I found myself whistling this tune while I was driving, and said: "Wow! I think I just remembered Magpie!". Well, I checked it out, and I had... Anyway, I played it here on my old stand-by Ramsey prototype Fairbanks Electric. I'm tuned capoed to double D (aDADE), but playing in G. Sep 2006.
Turkey in the Straw. Mike Ramsey built a prototype short scale banjo called the "Thunderdog" 
for Old Time music (the scale is such that you don't need a capo to play in A or D). A discussion on the Banjo Hangout reminded me that I used to know this tune ca. 40 years ago! Tuned to aDADF#, Aug 2006.
Quince Dillon's High D. Chuck Lee built a a custom, prototype short scale banjo for Old Time music (the scale is such that you don't need a capo to play in A or D). So, I recorded a really short version of this tune on this great sounding instrument. Tuned to aDADE, Aug 2006. version played in C on the first Enoch Dobson we received: a 12-inch pot with a Dobson-style tone ring. I played it in C (gCGCD) because I was in a hurry and didn't have a capo handy. April 2008. This is the soundtrack of a video posted here and on YouTube Duck's Eyeball. Chuck Lee built a one-off 11" custom with a rolled brass tone ring up on brass studs much like the old Orpheum style, and I thought it really sounded good, so I recorded this tune I learned from A.C. Overton tune on it. gDGBD, May 2006.
Black-Eyed Suzie. I wanted to get a neat old Whyte Laydie recorded, and somehow Black-Eyed-Whyte-Laydie appealed to me... This was completely off-the-cuff, and I was quite surprised to find myself playing it in a minor key. Oh well. Somewhere near gCGCD, May 2006.
Good Night, Irene. A discussion on the banjo hangout (about whether this tune is in 3/4 or 6/8 time) lead me to do a very quick and dirty recording of it both ways: waltz then jig. I played it on a 1965 Epiphone "Campus" long neck openback (essentially a Gibson RB-175) capoed at the 3rd fret to be sorta in G (gDGBD), Jan 2006.
Salt Creek. a CH rendition based on Bill Keith's BG version, and played on a Custom Lee Chautauqua with a 12" Electric-style pot. Wow! In G (gDGBD), Jan 2006.
The Blackest Crow. A waltz on a used Gold Tone banjola--they can get a bit muddy if you play them too quickly. In G (gDGBD), Aug. 2005.
Sandy River Belle. A real quickie: I had no fingernail, but I wanted to record this Lee Custom Chautauqua. It had a 12", deep pot with wooden tone rim, and a big sound. In G (gDGBD), Apr. 2005.
Pony Express. OK--some silliness again. This is a bluegrass piece, but what the hey--I played it clawhammer style... I played this on a used Wildwood Troubador with a long, Seeger-style neck, capoed at its 5th fret (the 2nd fret on normal banjos) to be in A: aEAC#E. With apologies to Eric Weissberg! March, 2005.
Winder Slide. Got a beautiful 1923, 11-13/16" Tu-Ba-Phone no. 9 in on consignment. What a great banjo! Anyway, I decided to record this at a student's behest. Capoed to aDADE. March, 2005.
Old Molly Hare. An Ome Jubilee with a 12-inch, wooden tone rim arrived today--man, these are great playing banjos! Anyway, for reasons totally unknown to me, this tune happened. Tuned gCGCD. Mar 2005. Old Molly Hare.
Haste to the Wedding. I got in a Lee Glen Rose (with an Electric, aka Whyte Laydie, tone ring, and, as that's my favorite sound, I used it to record this jig in response to someone's asking how that could be played clawhammer. Tuned gCGCD and capoed 2 to aDADE. Mar 2005.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Silly, I know, but I wanted to record a Flatiron Montana Rose for the website, and it happened to be tuned in F, and this kinda fell out. Tuned fCFCD. Feb 2005.
Year of Jubilo. I received a 13-1/2 inch, tack head, grain measure banjo built by Jeff Menzies. This fretless beast has a great sound! Tuned dGDGA. Feb 2005.
Needle Case. I actually broke down and bought my very first Gibson product ever (I was once given an old Gibson mandolin that I traded for a Fairbanks banjo back in 1970) because I have wanted a "Trap Door" model since 1962! This one was probably a TB-4 when it was made in 1924, and has a repro 5-string neck on a neat old ball bearing pot. I sold it after a while--it just didn't float my boat, but I thought I'd record it anyway... gCGCD capoed up to the 2nd fret to be in
D. Feb 2005.
Bull at the Wagon. Used to play this in a band back in the '70s (though I played guitar) and it popped into my mind when I was looking for a tune on which to demonstrate a custom Ramsey banjo that came in for sale. It was a 12" banjo with a rolled brass tone ring--essentially the sound one gets from a Standard or Special. Anyway, I played the tune capoed to A, i.e. gDGBD capoed at the second fret. Feb 2005
Martha Campbell. Jeff Menzies, in Toronto, sent me the first of what I hope to be many of his gourd banjos to sell. This first one has a fairly small body, but a big sound! I just tuned it to sound good--came out something near gbBGbBDb. Recorded in January 2005.
Waiting for Nancy. I needed a tune for yet another Lee Custom banjo, this one with an old wood, laminated 12-inch pot. It had such a nice full tone that I didn't bother capoing to D, but left this in double C (gCGCD). Recorded in January 2005. Waiting for Nancy was composed by Curtis Carlisle Bouterse and is used here with his kind permission. Composition: Waiting For Nancy, Publisher: Dancing Cat Productions,
Album: Waiting for Nancy, URL: https://cdbaby.com/cd/boutersewebb .
Tater Patch .This is one that fell out of a Lee Custom banjo with an extra deep (3-1/2 inch) Tony Pass pot. Plain old G tuning (gDGBD) in January 2005.
Reuben's Train. A bluegrass standard that I used to demonstrate an older Tu-Ba-Phone with a Bart Reiter reproduction mahogany neck. Tuned to open D (f#DF#AD) Jan. 2005. The end is my nod to Earl Scruggs...
Jingle Bells. Sorry. I had asked a student to see how he would play this tune, so I thought I'd better try it myself. I also had a Gold Tone Maple Mountain MM-150 to demo, so I figured "what the hey?" gCGCD capoed to aDADE. Dec. 2004.
Smash the Windows. I learned this jig from Judy Hough, who played fiddle in a band I was in back in the '70s. I wanted to demo a Lee custom that had come in, and I had been involved in an on-line discussion of jig-playing, so I played this in double C (gCGCD), and didn't bother to capo it to the "right" key of D, just so's you can hear the banjo's depth. Dec. 2004.
Over the Waterfall. This is a standard tune that I've known just about forever. I wanted to demo a Wyatt Fawley-built "Little Wonder" and this is what happened. There's a nod in there to my friend, Mark "Bluehammer" Johnson, BTW. Played in double C (gCGCD: I didn't feel like finding a capo to play it properly in D). Dec. 2004.
Road to Lisdoonvarna. Here's a single jig played quite simply (the recording was intended as a demo for a student, and follows my tab pretty closely). This is the tune I use to introduce jig (6/8) time. It's in Em, played out of G (gDGBD), and was recorded on a Lee custom banjo with a 12" wooden tone rim. Dec. 2004
Shenandoah Falls. OK, this one is derivative. I learned this tune from Howie Bursen (the true Master of Clawhammer!) when he recorded it on his phenomenal disc, Banjo MANikin. Anyway, hearing his playing got it stuck in my brain this way, so this is what wound up dribbling out of my fingers... Played on a Deering Goodtime, capoed to A (aEAC#E). Oct 2004
Rock the Cradle Joe. Chuck Lee sent me a new 11" Chalk Mountain with an ebony tone ring, set up with a Renaissance head and a No-Knot tailpiece. It has a great old-timey sound, so I figured to play an OT tune...! Capoed to double D (aDADE). Oct 2004
Red-haired Boy (aka "Little Beggarman" and "There Was an Old Soldier and He Had a Wooden Leg"). Chuck Lee sent me a new 11" Chautauqua with a Silver Bell tone ring! It came set up with a Renaissance head and a No-Knot tailpiece. What a nice banjo! Anyway, I thought this tune fit it well. Capoed to aEAC#E. Oct 2004
Grasshopper Sitting on a Sweet Potato Vine. Needed a tune for Deering's new "Senator" model, which sports a Little Wonder tone ring. Capoed 2 to double D (aDADE). Oct 2004
Saint Anne's Reel. Needed a tune for this 1923 Whyte Laydie with a new Reiter neck, and this is one of my favorites! Capoed 2 to double D (aDADE). Oct 2004
Wind That Shakes the Barley. I was messing around with this tune trying to get a triplet technique down the first time through the B part. I think it has potential... Sep 2004, on my Ramsey Fairbanks Electric. Capoed to double D (aDADE).
Petronella. I took in trade a custom Lee banjo (serial number 006), that was made to Dwight Diller specs, i.e., a very wide fingerboard, and a Diller-selected headstock shape. This banjo has a 12" Tony Pass old-wood block pot and tone rim, and has tremendous depth and fullness, so I chose this tune played in double C (gCGCD) to show off its tonal qualities. Sep. 2004
Sarah Armstrong's Tune. I fell in love with this simple melody while listening to John Salmon's "Sugar in the Gourd" webcast of OT music. Anyway, it seemed to lend itself to being a banjo tune, so I recorded it on a Mike Ramsey Dobson-style Woody that I took in trade. Capoed to double D (aDADE), September 2004. I did a short version to demo a Lee Rose Hill banjo for a customer. For those who might care, here is the first banjo recording with a guitar track added. (October 2004). Bonaparte Crossing the Rhine. Robert Edney sent me the first "Wooden Lady" banjo he has shipped (https://www.robertedney.com), and I needed a tune to show off its deep, mellow smoothness. This was it! In double C (gCGCD), September 2004.
I recorded this tune again on a Lee Rose Hill in Feb 2005. I try not to double up recordings, but I was playing with some chord variations in the B part... Same tuning double C -- gCGCD.
This version of the tune was recorded in 2011 or 2012 at Craig Evans's behest and was used in his DVD, Conversations with North American Banjo Builders interview with Mike Ramsey. This was played on the Ramsey Fairbanks Electric prototype in aCGCD, capoed 2 to sound as aDADE. BTW, and to toot my own horn a bit, in April 2012, banjo guru R.D. Lunceford made some very flattering comments about my playing of this tune on Banjo Hangout. *blush*
Hanged Man's Reel. A nice, custom Deering Calico came in, and, as it had a pop-off resonator, I thought I'd pop it off and play this tune. Capoed to A (aEAC#E). September 2004.
Pig Ankle Rag. Got a gorgeous Whyte Laydie in with a repro neck by Bob Anderson, and thought a rag would be appropriate, somehow... Capoed to double D (aDADE). September 2004.
New River Train. Just needed something for a consigned Orpheum No. 1, and this tune came to mind. In double C (gCGCD). August 2004.
Georgia Railroad I took in a used Gold Tone EBT, an electric banjo with a solid, Telecaster-style body, and thought that something like this needs an old-time, clawhammer tune played acoustically on it! Capoed to aEAC#E. August 2004.
version played on a fretless Enoch Tradesman This mp3 is the soundtrack to the video on YouTube. The instrument is fretless, but has flush, inlaid fret markers where the frets would be, if there were any! Mar 2008.
Cuckoo's Nest A tune I've liked ever since I learned it from the fiddler in our band back in the '70s. I got in a beautiful, blue, gold-plated, Bright Angel Ome with a Silver Spun tone ring, and just needed a tune for it... capoed to to aDADE. July 2004.
Big Scioty Played for a student, and to demonstrate a 1970s Alverez Silver Princess "Tu-Ba-Phone" I took on trade. Played in G (fCFCD capoed 2). July 2004.
Barlow Knife A simple tune on a simple banjo, viz., an 1880 Fairbanks & Cole. Simple spun over pot. The neatest thing about this banjo? Knowing how many tunes have been coaxed out of it over the years! It has friction pegs, so all I can say about the tuning is that it's close to open G (gDGBD). July 2004.
"Donald Zepp's Not-so-high A" *sigh* Another strange one. I took a 11-13/16-inch, 1919 Vega Whyte Laydie pot with an extra-long, Mike Ramsey-built neck in on consignment. It had such a deep, powerful sound that I wanted to record it tuned open, without a capo, and while fiddling around with it, stumbled into this minor version of Quince Dillon's High D.
The tuning would be double C were the capo on the third fret, but open it becomes a double A: eAEAB. July 2004
Fortune. We got in a custom Lee Lone Star Deluxe, and I just had to play something on this really sweet banjo. It's usually a "D" tune, but I played it close to double C (gCGCD) because I wanted the bass to stand out. June 2004. Here's a more "Round Peaky" version , played on the very first Lee Deep Hollow fretless in what amounts to B, as I was trying to be in gCGCD, but the $%^&*@ new strings kept stretching. July 2005.
Medley: Lark in the Morning/Rakish Paddy. I started playing these tunes together sometime in the late 1970s, when the fiddler in our band learned them as part of a 4-part medley from a Fairport Convention album she had. I used to accompany her on guitar when she played the medley, and after I got the tunes stuck in my head, I decided that they were playable on banjo. These have become a couple of my all-time favorite tunes to play. They're done here on my Ramsey Fairbanks Electric, capoed
to aDADE. June 2004
Redwing. A request on a banjo forum for the melody to this led me to a quick recording on a 1921 Fairbanks Senator with a skin head. It also has friction pegs, so the tuning was meant to be G (gDGBD), but I didn't get too fussy. This is a melody I have known forever, but never "arranged," though I have plunked along in a few jams. May 2004.
Ebenezer. Just a quick and simple G tune to demo an instrument that came in and immediately sold. It's a 12" Lee Lone Star Deluxe (with a moon bridge) and wooden tone rim. Straight-up G tuning (gDGBD). May 2004. Ebenezer video soundtrack. This was a Chuck Lee "Whyte Laydie" (but of walnut, not maple...). It's still in G, but this time I was tuned aCGCD and then capoed to the 2nd fret to aDADE. 13 Feb 2007. Here's the video.
The Fishin' Hole. OK, another in my seemingly unending (sorry) series of stupid tunes on clawhammer banjo: this one is better known as the theme to the Andy Griffith show. We have an Andy Griffith-signed Limited edition guitar in the store, and Mike Paramore, who teaches guitar here, did a fantastic guitar version of the tune to demo the instrument. I got the tune stuck in my head and simply had to do it on banjo. *sigh* This is my Ramsey Fairbanks Electric, capoed to double D (aDADE). May 2004.
Mississippi Sawyers. An old-time standard. I had the Lee "Chalk Mountain" prototype in the store, but sold it before I had a chance to record it. It's an 11" pot with an ebony tone ring! Fortunately, its new owner very kindly brought it back in for a checkup (thanks Alan!), so I had time to do a quicky recording. Capoed to double D (aDADE). April 2004
Nancy. Just a pretty little tune, IMHO--I took in a 1924 Vega Tu-Ba-Phone (with a repro neck) and needed a tune for it...this seemed to fit. Capoed to "Double D" (aDADE), and dutifully played in D. April 2004
Cumberland Gap. This is a 3-part version that I learned from my fiddling friends Mike Sollins and Julie Eastman.. It's played on a Lee Prairieville (11", with a rolled brass tone ring) in C (gCGCD), though the fiddlers play it in D (I wanted the bass of this banjo to come through clearly). April 2004.
Here's a version played on an Enoch Tradesman that is fretless for the 1st 5 "frets," and fretted the rest of the way to the scoop. This mp3 is the soundtrack to the video on YouTube. Mar 2008.
Green-colored Aristocracy. Just for fun. On the 17th of March, someone posted asking for versions of Colored Aristocracy. Well, since that was St. Patrick's Day, I thought a jig version was in order... Played on my Ramsey prototype Fairbanks Electric, all capoed up to D (aDADE), March 2004.
Colored Aristocracy. A new 12-inch Ome Wizard, having a shaped maple tone rim, arrived in 2014, and I'd been fiddling around with this version of Colored Aristocracy for a couple of weeks, after it had been the BHO Tune of the Week. I realized that while I have "known" the tune since I was in high school and learned it on mandolin, I had never bothered to play it on banjo other than the jig version I had done as a lark 10 years before (above). So here's my quick and dirty take of a neat old tune on a neat new banjo.
I'm tuned aCGCD so when capoed, it's aDADE, and I can use that 5th string for some different notes... 16 May 2014.
This is the MP3 version of the soundtrack for a YouTube video
Snake River Reel. This is played on a unique, ebony instrument made by Dale Small. It has a Silver Bell tone ring and an easily removed resonator (this is the open-back recording), and is set up with a Renaissance head. Capoed 2 to D (aDADE), March 2004. Snake River Reel was composed by Peter Lippincott, and is used here with his very kind permission. Please see his blog for more information about Peter.
Cripple Creek in a minor key (clawhammer). This is a tune I used to play 3-finger style as a slow lead in to the major version--I'd use my Keith tuners to get back to the major key, and play it full speed. However, I wanted to do something different one day, so I played in clawhammer style on a '70s Alvarez Silver Princess (Tu-Ba-Phone) that I had set up with a Renaissance head. Played in Gm (gDGBbD) March 2004. I also played the major version on a homemade banjo
with paper clips for frets... Hmmmm.
Rocky Top (clawhammer). This overplayed bluegrass tune actually plays pretty well in clawhammer style. I wanted a demo for an 11-inch Ome Bright Angel Silver Spun that arrived here, and this seemed to be a good fit... Played in G (gDGBD) March 2004.
John Brown's Dream . This was played on a Lee Lone Star Deluxe with an 12-inch laminated pot with a wooden tone rim. This is a great banjo for Old Time! Played in G (gDGBD) March 2004.
Blackberry Blossom . This is played on an Lee Glen Rose, with an 11-inch Tony Pass pot and an Electric, aka Whyte Laydie-style tone ring. I learned this tune from a fiddler who would start with the melody descending, and then turn it around to come back up, so that's how I still play it. In G (gDGBD) March 2004.
recorded it again on a Ramsey Woody, playing the A part in clawhammer the 1st time, then 3-finger the 2nd time. The B part is 3-finger the 1st time and clawhammer the 2nd time. This was just part of a demo...
Funky Butt. This is played on an Ome Deluxe Juniper 6-string, Guitar banjo direct from the factory with a 12" wooden tone rimmed pot, a Renaissance head and a No-Knot tailpiece. Neat instrument that was crying out for a Mississippi John Hurt tune... Plain old guitar tuning, February, 2004
Little Birdie. This one is played on an "A" scale Reiter that was sold on consignment. It's tuned (uncapoed) to bDADE, and played in G. February, 2004
Green Sleeves. Yet another in a continuing series of stupid things, I had seen someone ask about tab for this tune (three-finger), so I figured it would be a good clawhammer tune. Here, I've done it in 3/4 time, and then switched to 4/4. The banjo was tuned aDGCD, and I played the tune in Bm on my Ramsey Woody prototype. I think. January 2004
Home Sweet Home. In a continuing series of stupid things, this is a three-finger version of this tune played on a unique, homemade (not by me! Please!) banjo that has been in the store for a while. The fellow made his own Scruggs Tuners, and someone asked me to record a tune demonstrating how they work, so here it is. It's sorta tuned to an open D (really
C#), but I didn't feel like messing with getting it in tune, so imagine it's aDF#AD. February 2004.
Here's another version that I did on the spur of the moment in Nov. 2004 in response to someone's request. It's based on Earl Scruggs's 3-finger version, but played clawhammer style. Tuned gCGBC.
Rocking Around the Christmas Tree. Yeah, I know, this is sorta stupid. But... I had recorded Up Jumped the Devil a couple of days before, and I noticed the similarity to Rocking Around the Christmas Tree. Naturally, I had to play this thing, just for the heck of it. I had a Reiter Grand Concert in the shop that I wanted to record, so I used it--and then immediately sold it. Capoed to A (aEAC#E), and I did get lost for a bit, but this is silly anyway! Jan 2004.
No Title Yet Blues. This is played on a Nechville Moonshiner--a dark banjo (especially with the black head I put on it) with a dark sound, so I was looking for a dark tune, and this Eric Weissberg tune from an early 1960s album seemed to fit the bill. No matter that he played it 3-finger style; it makes a cool clawhammer tune, too. Tuned to Bm, i.e. f#BF#AD. Jan 2004.
Up Jumped the Devil. Played on a wonderful, short-scale Fairbanks Tu-Ba-Phone that was consigned here; in A, i.e., aEAC#E. Jan 2004.
Rebecca. All right, it's a bluegrass tune, but I thought it could make a nice clawhammer ditty. And, I needed to record a Deering Vega no. 2 Tu-Ba-Phone for the website. It's played in a G tuning for bluegrass, but I recorded in "Double D", i.e. capoed 2 to aDADE to make it work better in clawhammer. Jan 2004.
"Soldier's Gourd". David Hyatt maintains a very nice website devoted to gourd banjos (https://www.dhyatt.com/), and he graciously invited me to contribute to his sound files page. So, in January 2004, I recorded and sent him a version of Soldier's Joy done on the gourd banjo that Bob Thornburg built for me a few years ago. FWIW, I just tuned it to where I thought it sounded cool--turns out, that was eb Ab Eb Ab Bb.Oh, BTW, be sure to listen to all those other really good gourd recordings at https://www.dhyatt.com/music.html too!
Oh Suzanna. Clawhammer style recorded on a Lee Lone Star Deluxe with a 12" wooden tone rim pot on a whim, i.e., it's not a tune I usually play, but I needed to ship the instrument right away, and this is the first thing I thought of... It's played here in G (gDGBD) in December 2003. Water Bound. Clawhammer style recorded on a Ramsey (Chanterelle) Maple Special with an 11" pot and an "A" scale neck. It's played here in A (aEAC#E) in December 2003. I had previously recorded this tune on a
"LicketySplit" banjo, a 3-stringed, diatonically fretted, little novelty instrument. GDG was the tuning on this one. Hmmm... I sense a trend of playing Water Bound on small instruments! Rose Tree. Clawhammer style recorded on an Ome Jubilee with a 12-inch pot and wooden tone rim. It came with a Renaissance head and it sold right away, so I was lucky to get this recording of it while it was here! Placed in C (didn't feel like tuning to D, sorry) from a "double C" tuning (gCGCD) in December 2003. (Man, it's easy to forget and start playing Briar Picker Brown instead of Rose Tree when I start this thing!) The Cuckoo Bird. Clawhammer style recorded on a 1926 or '27 Vega Whyte Laydie with a Wyatt Fawley reproduction neck. I put a Renaissance head and a light Moon bridge on this banjo, as is seemed rather choked by a heavy bridge. Played in "Mountain Minor" tuning capoed to Am (aEAC#E) in December 2003. Whiskey Before Breakfast. Clawhammer style recorded on a brand new, open back Ome Sweetgrass with a Silver Spun tone ring (set up with a Renaissance head & Snuffy Smith bridge). Done to record this instrument before I shipped it along to its buyer. Played capoed to D (aDADE) November 2003 Gold Rush. Yep, clawhammer style recorded on a used 1999 Deering Vega Tu-Ba-Phone No. 2 set up with a Renaissance head & Moon bridge that was for sale. I needed a demo of this instrument, and a friend asked me about a clawhammered Gold Rush arrangement, so I put the two together... Played capoed to A (a EAC#E) November 2003.Fifteen years later (Dec 2018), I added the tablature transcribed from this recording. Got here to select and download the .tef version
Briar Picker Brown. Clawhammer style recorded on a 1930 Tu-Ba-Phone conversion with an 10-15/16" pot that was for sale. A very brief recording in gCGCD capoed to D (aDADE), Oct 2003 simply as a demo of this this particular banjo. Snowdrop. Clawhammer style recorded on a Lee Granbury Tu-Ba-Phone with an 11-inch Tony Pass "Lost Timbre" pot w. wooden tone rim. Played in C (gCGCE), Oct 2003, because I thought this tune really sounds good on this particular banjo. abbreviated version of Snowdrop.
here's yet another very abbreviated version of Snowdrop.
This mp3 was the concurrently recorded soundtrack later added to that video. Boatman. Clawhammer style recorded on a Lee Lone Star Deluxe with a Tony Pass pot/wooden tone rim. Played in G (gDGBD), though I don't remember why...this is an "A" tune, after all. Sometimes I'm just too lazy to go find a capo... Unfortunately, I lost the original description for this recording. I surmise from the serial number of the instrument that I recorded it in October of 2003, but I really don't remember... Lost Indian. Clawhammer style also hastily recorded on a Lee Ovilla with a 12-inch Tony Pass "Lost Timbre" pot w. wooden tone rim that was custom ordered. Played in gCGCD capoed to D (aDADE), Oct 2003. Click
here to hear the same tune played on the same banjo after installing a heavy Moon bridge. (Okay, I played it the next morning when I was fresher, so I played it faster. So sue me.) Twin Sisters. Clawhammer style recorded on a used 2003 Saga SS-10 that I had scooped by Mike Ramsey. Played in Gm (gFGCD), Oct 2003. Shady Grove--a major version. Clawhammer style recorded on a 2002 Ramsey Woody "All American" one-off piece which was for sale. This version is a bit unusual, as it begins and ends on the dominant seventh chord. Played in G (gDGBD), Oct 2003. Angeline the Baker. Clawhammer style recorded on a old 19th-20th TOC 9-7/8 inch spun over pot with a raised, Orpheum style tone and a very nice Vega-style Wyatt Fawley neck which was for sale. Played in C (gCGCD), Sep 2003. Ramblin' Hobo. Clawhammer style recorded on a Lee Chautauqua Custom with Tony Pass "Lost Timbre" 12" pot w. purple heart wooden tone ring to demonstrate the instrument, which was for sale. Played in or near F (fCFCD). September 2003. recording of Ramblin' Hobo was made in March, 2008 on a fretless Enoch walnut Tradesman strung with Nylgut strings (this same banjo can be heard with steel strings).
Bill Cheatham. Clawhammer style recorded on a Lee Granbury with Tony Pass "Lost Timbre" 11" pot w. Tu-Ba-Phone tone ring to demonstrate the instrument. Played in A (gDGBD capoed to 2nd fret). September 2003 Paddy on the Turnpike. Clawhammer style recorded on Lee Lone Star Deluxe no. 017, with Tony Pass "Lost Timbre" 12" pot w. rolled brass tone ring. Played in Gm (gDGBbD). August 2003 Darling Nellie Gray. Clawhammer style recorded on Lee Lone Star no. 018, with Tony Pass "Lost Timbre" 12" pot w. wooden tone rim. Played in G (gDGBD). August 2003 Seneca Square Dance (aka Waiting for the Federals). Clawhammer style recorded on Mike Ramsey's prototype Woody. This one was based on his "Student" model, but the Woody was later upgraded to a more expensive model when folks discovered how good they sound with their 12", wooden tone ring design. Recorded for no particular reason, other than the fact that I wanted to hear how the
banjo recorded... Played in G (gDGBD). July 2003 John Brown's March. Clawhammer style recorded on a 2002 Nechville Phantom bluegrass banjo with the resonator off, because I thought it sounded sorta cool played open backed. The tune was recorded for a student, given the "assignment" of learning the tune from this recording. Played in G (gDGBD). July 2003 Old Joe Clark. Clawhammer style recorded on a used Blueridge BB50 with 11" pot and a rolled brass tone ring. The banjo was traded in, so I scooped the neck to make a nice beginner's clawhammer instrument. Played in G (gDGBD). July 2003 June Apple. Clawhammer style recorded on a one-off Lee banjo with 11" pot, rolled brass tone ring, and a Renaissance head to demonstrate that banjo for this website. Played in G (gDGBD)--why not? July 2003 Little Billy Wilson. Clawhammer style recorded on my 1908 Fairbanks Imperial Electric No. 0 10-13/16"
open back banjo (it's not for sale or anything of course, but here are some photos of it) with Renaissance head (added long after the photos) and Moon bridge, capoed to aEAC#E. It was a slow afternoon, and I was feeling lazy, so I recorded this for fun at a rather leisurely pace. And, *ahem* it sure made those triplets a whole lot easier, of course... June 2003 Frosty Morning. Clawhammer style recorded on a 1927 Vega Tu-Ba-Phone 11-15/16" open back banjo with skin head, to demonstrate the banjo for this website.
Played in Gm (gDGCD) for no particular reason... I mean, there was a capo handy, but I just didn't feel like retuning. June 2003 Sandy Boys. Clawhammer style recorded on a Lee Lone Star 12"
open back banjo (with a Renaissance head) in June of 2003 to demonstrate the banjo for this website.
Capoed to aEAC#E. Avalon Quickstep. Clawhammer style recorded on a Chanterelle (Ramsey) Fairbanks Electric
open back banjo (with a Renaissance head and Moon Bridge) in June of 2003 at a friend's request.
Capoed to aDADE. Staten Island Hornpipe. Clawhammer style recorded on a Lee Lone Star 11"
open back banjo (with a Renaissance head) in May of 2003 to demonstrate the banjo for this website.
Capoed to aDADE. Spotted Pony.
Clawhammer style recorded on the prototype Chanterelle (Ramsey) Fairbanks Electric
open back banjo (with a Renaissance head and Moon Bridge) in May of 2003 for no particular reason.
Capoed to aDADE. Old Mother Flanagan.
Clawhammer style recorded on the prototype Chanterelle (Ramsey) Fairbanks Electric
open back banjo (with a Renaissance head and Moon Bridge) in June of 2002. This was a lesson for a student. I was demonstrating some triplets...
Capoed to aEAC#E. Durang's Hornpipe.
Clawhammer style recorded on the prototype Chanterelle (Ramsey) Fairbanks Electric
open back banjo (with a Renaissance head and Moon Bridge) in June of 2002. In April of 2003,
I was playing around with my software and added the guitar track (a 1952 0-15 Martin of mine).
Capoed to aDADE. Deep River Blues. Finger-style guitar recorded on a 1961 or '62 Gibson LG3.
I had someone interested in the instrument, so I did a quick recording in August of 2002. Dixie.
When Bob Thornburg made me a fretless Gourd banjo I figured this was an appropriate tune.
I had no idea what key I was in...I just tuned it to where it sounded good. Turns out it's close to double G (dGDGA). Cripple Creek.
I had a homemade banjo that is really hard to describe. Suffice it to say, the frets are paperclips...
If you want to see it take a look.
Anyway, it was playable, after a fashion, so here was Cripple Creek, sorta. gDGBD. July 2002. Here's Cripple Creek played in standard fashion on a Menzies 12" tack head banjo (Jan 2007).
Soldier's Joy.
Clawhammer style recorded on the prototype Chanterelle (Ramsey) Fairbanks Electric
open back banjo (with a Renaissance head and Moon Bridge) in April of 2002 (for a student). Capoed to aDADE. "Soldier's Gloom".
Clawhammer style recorded on the prototype Chanterelle (Ramsey) Fairbanks Electric
open back banjo (with a Renaissance head and Moon Bridge) in May of 2003. Capoed to aDADE.
This minor key
version just sort of fell out of my banjo so I recorded it on a whim.
The abrupt ending resulted from my knocking the mic over when I brushed the last chord! *sigh* "Soldier's Jig".
Clawhammer style recorded on a Lee Glen Rose open back banjo
(with a Tony Pass "Lost Forest" 11-inch pot, a Renaissance head and Moon Bridge) in May of 2003.
Capoed to aDADE.
I was feeling frisky after the minor key version, above, and a discussion of jigs on
BANJO-L prompted me to play the tune in 6/8 time. What can I say?The more recent additions are the soundtracks to YouTube videos (see https://youtube.com/zeppmusic). Incidentally, they are not the sound track stripped from the video; instead, they are simultaneously recorded separately, and then used to replace the camera's sound track.
Wherever possible, each banjo was tuned aDGCD and then capoed at the 2nd fret (yielding aEADE) or simply tuned up and played in a aEADE tuning.
Shady Grove Roy Smith's serial no. 002; also a 12-inch, cherry, Whyte Laydie-style banjo with bracket band. Nicknamed "The Hummingbird." See it here
Shady Grove Roy Smith's serial no. 001; a 12-inch, cherry, Whyte Laydie-style banjo with bracket band. Nicknamed "The Doves." See it here
Shady Grove A 12-inch pot with a rolled brass tone ring--Bart Reiter's only 12-inch model.
Shady Grove A consigned Cedar Mountain FH1S with a 12-inch rosewood pot and rolled brass tone ring. The instrument is scooped above the 16th fret, and as I usually play this in A, using the 17th fret, I have simply tuned this banjo up to A (aEADE) This mp3 is the soundtrack to the video on YouTube.
Shady Grove This is a new Ramsey Bacon model, having the Bacon-style tone ring. Jan 2008. This mp3 is the soundtrack to the video on YouTube.
Shady Grove This is on a skin-headed, 10-15/16 inch, 1904 Fairbanks Whyte Laydie no. 7. I had always wanted one of these, so I bought one--well, an offer I couldn't refuse appeared, so I thought I'd better add it to this interminable collection! Jan 2008.
Shady Grove This is on an skin-headed, 11-13/16 inch, 1922 Vega Tu-Ba-Phone pot with a mahogany neck by Wyatt Fawley. (gDGCD capoed to aEADE) Jan 2008. This mp3 is the soundtrack to the video on YouTube.
Shady Grove Another in the banjo comparison series. This is on the 12-inch Ome Jubilee Deluxe below, but with a Renaissance head. (gDGCD capoed to aEADE) Jan 2008. This mp3 is part of the soundtrack to the video on YouTube in which both heads are heard.
Shady Grove Another in the banjo comparison series. This is on a 12-inch Ome Jubilee Deluxe with a Fiberskyn head. (gDGCD capoed to aEADE) Dec 2007. This mp3 is the soundtrack to the video on YouTube and part of the soundtrack to another video on YouTube in which both heads are heard.
Shady Grove.
A Romero 12" Cuban Rosewood block pot. A drop-dead gorgeous instrument! (I had to play that high G off beat and on the 5th string, as this one was scooped above the 15th fret...
Shady Grove.
A Cedar Mountain D-2 (Diller model). Lo Gordon built this model with an all rosewood block pot & shaped tone rim. Nov. 2006.
Shady Grove.
An Orpheum 12" no. 1 with a repro neck. Yet another banjo passing through...Oct. 2006
Shady Grove.
An Ome 12" Juniper (rolled brass tone ring). Just another banjo passing through...Oct. 2006
Shady Grove.
A Vermonter custom by Will Fielding. This one had an 11-inch pot, customized by the addition of a rolled brass tone ring (the Vermonter usually has a wooden tone rim). Oct. 2006
Shady Grove.
This is a 10-15/16 inch 1928 Vega Whyte Laydie pot with a Wyatt Faweley neck. It was set up with a Fiberskin head and Waverly tailpiece. Jan. 2006
Shady Grove.
This is a 12 inch 2004 Ome Custom Silver Phoenix with a rolled brass tone ring. It was set up with a Renaissance head and No-Knot tailpiece. Jan. 2006
Shady Grove.
This is a 11 inch ca. 1999 Ramsey Fairbanks Electric. It was set up with a Fiberskyn head and No-Knot tailpiece. Jan. 2006
Shady Grove.
A Huss and Dalton Singletree with a 12" pot and wooden tone rim. It's set up with a white, frosted head. Still has a deep, dark sound, though! August 2005
Shady Grove.
Played on a 1970s Alvarez Silver Princess (a Tu-Ba-Phone-based instrument) to demo its sound.
Shady Grove.
Clawhammer style recorded on the prototype Chanterelle (Ramsey) Tu-Ba-Phone open back banjo
(with a Renaissance head and Moon Bridge) in April of 2002 (for a customer to compare tone rings).
Shady Grove.
Clawhammer style recorded on the prototype Chanterelle (Ramsey) Fairbanks Electric open back banjo (with a Renaissance head and Moon Bridge) in April of 2002 (for a customer to compare tone rings).
Shady Grove.
Clawhammer style recorded on a 12-inch Chanterelle (Ramsey) Woody open back banjo
(with a Renaissance head and Moon Bridge) in April of 2002 (for a customer to compare tone rings).
Thanks for Ken Spencer for its loan!
Shady Grove.
Clawhammer style recorded on a 12-inch Chanterelle (Ramsey) Maple Special open back banjo
(with a Renaissance head and Moon Bridge) in April of 2002 (for a customer to compare tone rings).
Thanks for Mark "Blue Hammer" Johnson for its loan!
Shady Grove.
Clawhammer style recorded on a 1924 Vega Tu-Ba-Phone 11-13/16-inch open back banjo
(with a skin head and cheapie bridge) in January of 2003 (for a customer to compare banjos).
Shady Grove.
Clawhammer style recorded on a 1990s Wildwood Heirloom Tu-Ba-Phone 11-inch open back banjo
(with a Fiberskyn head and Moon bridge) in January of 2003 (for a customer to compare banjos). For those who care about such things, a fairly close tablature transcription of this version can be found in this .pdf file..
Shady Grove.
Clawhammer style recorded on a 1928 Vega Tu-Ba-Phone 10-15/16-inch open back banjo
(with a Fiberskyn head and Moon bridge) in January of 2003 (for a customer to compare banjos).
This is the one he bought...
Shady Grove.
This is a Stock Goodtime banjo with a Remo head and stock bridge (some came through with Ludwig heads). May 2004.
Shady Grove.
This is a custom Goodtime banjo, customized with a scoop, a Renaissance head (stock bridge), and a 1/4-inch rolled brass tone ring. Not a bad sounding banjo, eh? May 2004.
Shady Grove.
This is the same custom Goodtime banjo above, but it has a light Moon bridge on it this time. May 2004.
Shady Grove.
This is a Lee Lone Star Deluxe--a 12" pot, wooden tone rim, Renaissance head and heavy Moon bridge. May 2004.
Shady Grove.
This is an Ome Bright Angel with an 11" pot and a Silver Spun tone ring. May 2004.
Shady Grove.
This is a Robert Edney-built Wooden Lady with an 11" pot, a Moon bridge, a Renaissance head, and Robert's unique wooden scalloped tone ring. September 2004.
Shady Grove. Played on a 12-inch, Electric-style Chuck Lee Glen Rose . June 2009.
Shady Grove. Played on a 12-inch Chuck Lee experimental with a shaped wooden pot and a scroll headstock. June 2009.
Shady Grove. Played on a 12-inch Ramsey Amish with a 26.25-inch scale and a 12-inch, rolled brass tone ring. June 2009
Shady Grove. Played on a 12-inch Ramsey maple one-off instrument having a 12-inch, rolled brass tone ring. June 2009
Bonaparte's Retreat.
Clawhammer style recorded on a Ome Juniper with a 12" wood tone rim open back banjo
(with a Renaissance head and Moon Bridge) in Dec. 2002, prior to shipping it to the customer who had ordered it.
Played in C (too lazy to find a capo): gCGCD. another recording I did for a friend, playing it slowly. I thought it sounded sorta good at this speed. I did this one on my Ramsey Fairbanks Electric, properly capoed to aDADE in November of 2003. Julie Ann Johnson.
Clawhammer style recorded on a 1926 Vega Little Wonder Style N tenor to which someone added a 5th string!
It has a really soggy skin head, and real cheapie bridge. But I like the short scale and "thumpy" sound! Feb. 2003.
With that short scale, there's no need for a capo, just tuned aDADE. Deep in the Heart of Texas.
Clawhammer style recorded on Lee Serial number 001, being an open back with 12-inch,
Lost ForestTM 12-inch
pot with a wooden tone rim, Renaissance head, and stock bridge. As this was Chuck Lee's serial number 001, this banjo
represents a number of ideas he was working with, and is not a current model per se.
Also, as this was number 001, and Chuck is located "deep in the heart of Texas," I thought this would be an
appropriate tune for him. gCGCD. Dec. 2002. Yellow Rose of Texas.
Clawhammer style recorded on a 2002 Lee Glen Rose open back with 11-inch
Lost ForestTM 12-inch
pot with a Electric (a.k.a. "Whyte Laydie") tone ring, Renaissance head, and Moon bridge. This was Chuck's
serial number 002 and a Glen Rose, so I figured a "Texas Rose" tune was decidedly called for! Capoed to aDADE. Dec. 2002. Fly Around....
Clawhammer style recorded on a 2003 Lee Chautauqua open back with 12-inch,
Lost ForestTM 12-inch
pot with a wooden tone rim, Renaissance head, and Moon bridge.
Recorded May 2003, prior to shipping it to the customer who had ordered it.
Played in C (too lazy to find a capo): gCGCD.
Fly Around....
Clawhammer style recorded on a new (2007) Ome Juniper Deluxe 11-inch open back with rolled brass tone ringtone rim, Renaissance head, and Snuffy Smith brand bridge.
Recorded Dec 2007: Played in C (still too lazy to find a capo): gCGCD. This is the soundtrack to a YouTube video
Cluck Old Hen.
Clawhammer style recorded on a 2003 Lee Ovilla open back with 12-inch,
Lost ForestTM 12-inch
pot with a wooden tone rim, Renaissance head, and Moon bridge.
Recorded May 2003, when it became available for sale. Had seven inquiries based on its sound, and sold it to
one of my students that afternoon. Yep, this tune should be in Am, but I didn't feel like
finding a capo, so it's in Gm: gDGCD.
Cluck Old Hen on it, too (guess I should have looked here first). This time, though, I used straight G major tuning (gDGBD). This 12" banjo has a laminated maple rim, rather than the block pot of the earlier banjo. It, too, had a Renaissance head, but a stock bridge.
gCGCD to play in Cm Sorta cool, and the best thing is, I can sing it in this key! June 2004.
Cluck Old Hen. Different, and I'm really digging the sound of this family heirloom! Oh, yeah, here's photo of me with the banjo right after I did this recording
Bay of Fundy Reel.
Clawhammer style recorded on a Barbie Pink Deering Goodtime
open back banjo (with a prism head and Moon Bridge) in Jan of 2003. Why not? Capoed to aDADE. Rocky Mountain Goat.
Clawhammer style recorded on a Deering Goodtime
open back banjo (with a Renaissance head and Moon Bridge) in Aug of 2002. Recorded slowly, for a student.
I cut off the first "A" part and the 2nd "B" part to reduce the file size for said student...
Capoed to aDADE. Little Sadie.
Clawhammer style. I don't remember on what this was recorded--sounds like my Ramsey Electric, though... A friend had asked me to tab out an arrangement for
him, which I did, then I recorded the tab for him. The 4th time through, my hands thought they knew what they were doing, but I fell off, and things almost came off the tracks. I was able to chase it down and hop back on again, though, so it almost sounds as if I meant to do that... Yep, sure, that's what I meant to play, all right! Aug 2002. Capoed to aEADE
