Forked Deer
November 20th, 2007Forked Deer is another parking lot standard usually played in the key of D. The example here is played in the key of C with the capo at the second fret.
Guitar
Black Mountain Rag
August 18th, 2007Here is a medium tempo demonstration of the quintessential flatpicking tune. This is based off Doc Watson’s original recording in the key of D (capo 2nd). Apart from Doc most people generally play the tune in the key of A.
Loch Leven Castle
May 5th, 2007Loch Leven Castle is an old Scottish tune in Am (Dorian) that lends itself well to floating. Although not a common tune among guitar players you’ll pick it up in no time if you’re familiar with tunes like Jerusalem Ridge or Old Dangerfield. I play through the tune twice and use an Am(add9) up the neck for effect. If you’re unfamiliar with this particular voicing it’s really easy to play since it only requires two fingers but makes use of all six strings (ring @ 7th fret D string, index @ 5th fret G string).
The Red Haired Boy
May 1st, 2007The Red Haired Boy is a popular Irish reel that is a staple of Bluegrass jams. As with many fiddle tunes it goes by different names such as The Red Headed Irishman and The Jolly Beggar; the latter of which is based on the title and lyrics of an 18th Century Scottish ballad with a similar melody.
The tune is in the key of A (Mixolydian) and although I play it out of the G position capoed at the 2nd fret some guitar players prefer to play it in A without a capo.
