Here are six essential Kentucky tunes that you are bound to get the opportunity to play during a Cowan Creek Mtn Music School jam session or dance. If you don’t know them, John Harrod will help you get a jump start on your CCMMS week. John plays each tune slowly, twice through, then the complete tune at a moderate speed. In a forth file, he masterfully breaks down each tune’s challenges and gives tips on bowing, ornamentation and more. All are in standard GDAE tuning. To listen to a file, just click on the track number. These recordings were made at his home on September 27, 2023 and we deeply appreciate John’s generosity in making these available to all.
Martha Campbell is a nearly ubiquitous tune among fiddlers throughout the state but not well know elsewhere. The earliest known source is Owen Walker, a Black Madison County fiddler who was a neighbor to Doc Roberts and the source of most of his tunes. This version owes Buddy Thomas but John, of course, makes it his own. We honor Martha Campbell’s place as the unofficial state tune by playing it as the first tune of the first square dance each Cowan School.
Martha Campbell – Track 1 – A part (low part). Starts on the D string. Key of D
Martha Campbell – Track 2 – B part (high part). Starts on the A string.
Martha Campbell – Track 3 – Complete tune.
Martha Campbell – Track 4 – Complete tune with learning tips.
Briar Picker Brown comes from Lewis County fiddler, Buddy Thomas. It and Martha Campbell can also be heard on his influential 1973 Rounder album “Kitty Puss“.
Briar Picker Brown – Track 5 – A part (low part). Starts on the A string. Key of D
Briar Picker Brown – Track 6 – B part (high part). Starts on the E string.
Briar Picker Brown – Track 7 – Complete tune.
Briar Picker Brown – Track 8 – Complete tune with learning tips.
Rat’s Gone to Rest is a fun and easy jam session favorite. John learned it from George Lee Hawkins and has spread it far and wide.
Rat’s Gone to Rest – Track 9 – A part (low part). Starts on the D string. Key of G.
Rat’s Gone to Rest – Track 10 – B part (high part). Starts on the A string.
Rat’s Gone to Rest – Track 11 – Complete tune.
Rat’s Gone to Rest – Track 12 – Complete tune with learning tips.
Granny Went to Meeting – is another easy tune the Kentucky Clodhoppers made a Cowan favorite. You can hear them play it here. Fiddler Lela Todd, from the Red River Gorge area taught this one to all her fiddling neighbors.
Granny Went to Meeting – Track 13 – A part (high part). Starts on E string. Key of D.
Granny Went to Meeting – Track 14 – B part (low part). Starts on A string.
Granny Went to Meeting – Track 15 – Complete tune.
Granny Went to Meeting – Track 16 – Complete tune with learning tips.
Indian Ate the Woodchuck – There are several unrelated tunes with this and similar titles. This one is in C and comes from the playing of Magoffin County fiddler John Morgan Salyers (1888 – 1952). You can hear all 36 of Salyers’ 1942 home recordings here.
Indian Ate the Woodchuck – Track 17 – A part (high part). Starts on the E string. Key of C.
Indian Ate the Woodchuck – Track 18 – B part (low part). Starts on the A string.
Indian Ate the Woodchuck – Track 19 – Complete tune.
Indian Ate the Woodchuck – Track 20 – Complete tune with learning tips.
Liza Jane – Again, there are lots of Liza Janes. This version comes mostly from the playing of John’s good friend, Carter County fiddler J.P. Fraley. Here John plays it in standard tuning, but more advanced students might also have fun playing it in AEae cross-tuning.
Liza Jane – Track 21 – A part (high part). Starts on the E string. Key of A
Liza Jane – Track 22 – B part (low part). Starts on the A string.
Liza Jane – Track 23– Complete tune.
Liza Jane – Track 24 – Complete tune with double stops and learning tips.