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A few years ago, I was picking with a few friends and as we had started to play out a bit, we started developing some set lists. One of the tunes that the guitar player brought in was Cotton Eye Joe. Though I had heard of the tune, I had never bothered (nor had reason) to learn it. Well, we ran through it a few times and this tab is what I came up with. This version is probably different from the traditional one most of you have heard. I’m none too sure that it is a definitive version of the song, as I’ve since heard it played with different chord progressions. But who is to say that any version is the correct version, eh? Give her a go - you should find the tab relatively straightforward. An unusual aspect of this tune/song that adds interest is the fact that there are only 6 bars to the main part, not the normal 8.
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Chris Athey, of Ashburn, Virginia, USA. Have you ever been asked “what is Bluegrass?” We sometimes debate the question in this News Mag so what chance do the rest of the World have? Well, I always try and play something that they recognise so that they don’t get the tune confused with the style of playing - sometimes it actually works! Anyway, this is one of my favourites and most people recognise it even if they don’t know the title. The tune is not too difficult and once you have mastered the tune slowly you need to concentrate on two things. The first is speed - but build up carefully by always playing as fast as you can without making mistakes. Believe me, playing so fast that you make mistakes all the time is no good. The second thing to concentrate on is what I call the bounce! This tune needs a slightly ‘dotted’ rhythm to give it the characteristic catchiness associated with Turkey In The Straw. This is done by emphasising every other note (like a fast Hornpipe - only Folkies will understand this - just joking). In your mind think of it as playing Dah, Dee-dah, Dee-dah, Dee-dah . . . you know what I mean! OK, now go out there and impress your friends and relations! If you want to accompany on guitar or banjo, the chords are nice and easy - G, C and D. But you might want to experiment when you get the chance because, the chords given here are a bit on the basic side so there is room for creativity! If you would like the music (dots) rather than the Tab write to me at NWBN or Write to me Good luck, Richard Lloyd, Tarporley.
Tennessee Stud has been recorded by several country singers. Of main interest to us are a couple of versions by Doc Watson and a red hot track by Steve Kaufman. The words and chords are in Pete Wernick’s Bluegrass Songbook - an excellent source of material and very useful for working out breaks. It gives the location of melody notes and accompanying chords. All you have to do is fill in the gaps with appropriate licks.... Things to watch out for:
This is quite a hard tab (I think). If it doesn’t give you too much trouble try making up your own tabs for tunes that you like. When they’re finished and de-bugged send them to Derek Ed. and get your own 15 minutes of fame. Who knows, he might even buy you a pint one day... Martyn Peters, Stourbridge Editor's note: Regrettably, Martyn is unable to do any more tabs for us. I would like to thank him very much for his valuable contributions to the NWBN. Derek B.
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Cotton Eye Joe. Trad: Arranged for banjo
