Here are some of the tunes that we play along with the key, chords and sources for our version.
Click on the tune name to download a MP3 snippet. These are mostly jam sessions and home recordings but it should be good enough to learn the tune. Please let us know if you want something added here.
In this notation, each chord letter represents 1 beat.Please note, these chords are intended to get you into the spirit of the tune.
Actually, there are no absolutely right or wrong chords! Many people may play them differently.Some folks have been known to change the progression as they go through the tune just for fun!
| Tune Name |
Key | Chords | Source | MP3 Source |
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ArkansasTraveler
|
D
|
AABB A part DGAD AAAA DGAD DAAD B part DGDA DADA DGDA DGAD |
Bruce Molsky | Pot Luck String Band |
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AvalonQuickstep
|
D
|
AABB Note extra beats in B-part A part DDDD DDAA DDDD GADD B part DDGGDD AADD DDGGDD AADD |
Original Fat City Band | SBFOTM Jam |
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BanjoTramp
|
D
|
AB Same length as a standard 64 beat AABB but extended A and B parts. A part DDDD GGDD DDDD EEAADDDD GGDD GGDD AADD B part DDDD GGDD DDDD EEAADDDD GGDD GGDD AADD |
Ward Jarvis and Dana Loomis | Jim Stanko |
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Bonaparte'sRetreat
|
D
|
AABB A part DDDD GGGG DDDD AADD B part DDDD AAAA DDDD AADD |
Fuzzy Mountain String Band | Jim Stanko | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Briar Picker Brown | D | AABB | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Chinese Breakdown
|
D
|
AAB As played by The Arm & Hammer String Band A part DDDD DDAA AAAA AADD DDDD DDGG AAAA AADD B part DDDD DDAA AAAA AADD DDDD DDGG AAAA AADD |
Arm & Hammer String Band | Jim Stanko, Joe Mazotas and Rick Carlson | ||||||||||||||||||||
Chicken Reel
|
D
|
|
Jim Stanko, Joe Mazotas and Rick Carlson | |||||||||||||||||||||
CumberlandGap
|
D
|
AABCC Who knows where the extra part came from; note the last part has only 3 lines/measures (or 12 beats) A part DDDG DDAD DDDG DAAD Alternate A: DDDG AAAD DDDG AAAD B part AAAA GGAD AAAA GGAD C part DDGG DDGG AAAD |
( 3 part) SBFOTM at Mannion’s Jam | Jim Stanko | ||||||||||||||||||||
Durangs Hornpipe
|
D
|
|
Jim Stanko, Joe Mazotas and Rick Carlson | |||||||||||||||||||||
Forked Deer
|
D
|
AABB There are many versions of this tune: some crooked, and one which has 5 parts. This is the common one. A part DDGA DDAA DDGA DAAD B part AAAA AAAD AAAA DGAD |
Leo McDermott | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Fortune |
D
|
AABB Uh,oh! Some folks argue which is the A part; no matter! The chords are the same for both! A part DDAD DDAA DDGG AADD B part DDAD DDAA DDGG AADD |
Bruce Molsky | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Jonah in the Windstorm |
D
|
|
Bruce Green | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Jaybird |
D
|
AABBDDDD AAAA DDDD AAADGGAA AAAA GGAA AADD | Bruce GreenPete Sutherland | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Lazy Kate |
D
|
|
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| Little Girl Fool Ya |
D
|
|
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Lowery's Quadrille
|
D
|
AABBCC A part DDGG DDAA DDGG DDAD B part DDGG DDAA DDGG AAAD C part DDDD GGGG DDDD GGAD |
Mike Jarboe | Mike Jarboe | ||||||||||||||||||||
Maggots in the Sheep Hide
|
D
|
|
Bayards Hill Country Tune Book | Lake Genero 2004 Jam | ||||||||||||||||||||
Moses Hoe Your Corn
|
D
|
Lake Genero 2009 Jam | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mississippi Sawyer |
D
|
AABB A part DDDD GGGG DDDD AADD B part DDDD AADD DDDD AADD |
Half Shaved String Band | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Nixon’s Farewell |
D
|
AABB A part: DDGG DDAA DDGG AADD B part: DGDD DGAA DGDD AADD |
Written by Curtis Bouterse . It’s in the Portland Collection | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Peacock Rag |
D
|
AABB A part: DDDD GGEE AAAA DDDD B part: BBBB EEEE AAAA DDDD |
Authur Smith | Alan and Marc on Youtube Vivian Williams from you tube
|
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| Pig Ankle Rag |
D
|
AABB Note the extra lines/measures in each partA part AAAA DDDD AAAA DDDD GGDD AADD B part AAAA DDDD AAAA DDDD GGDD AADD |
Highwoods String Band | |||||||||||||||||||||
Red Lick
|
D
|
AABB Some folks think of this as a backwards Liberty… Note the extra line/measure in the A part.A part DDDD GGGG DDDD GGAA AADDB part DDDD DDDD AAAA AADD |
Mannions Jam | Jim Stanko and Rick Carlson
|
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Rock theCradle Joe
|
D
|
AABBA part DDDD DDDD DDGG AADDB part AADD GGDD AADD GADD | Leo McDermott | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Sarah Armstrongs Tune |
D
|
Bayard Hill County Tunes Book (Labeled #33 Old Reel)Orephus Supertones | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Shoo Fly
|
D
|
|
Black Creek Jam 2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Shuffle About |
D
|
|
Peter Sutherland | |||||||||||||||||||||
SnakeRiver Reel
|
D
|
AABBA part DDAA DDAA DDAA DAADB part CGDD CGDD GCDD AADD | ManniosJam
|
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The Snouts and Ears of America
|
D
|
AABBA part DDDD AAAA DDGG DADDB psrt DDDD AAAD DDDD AADD | Bayard Hill County Tunes Book | Barb Bloomfield at Mermaid In Jam
|
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Soldier's Joy
|
D
|
AABBA part DDDD DDAA DDDD AADDB part DDGG DDAA DDGG AADD | The Skillet Lickers | The TunePoachers (Rick C, Jim S, Joe Zand Bob B) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| St Anne’s Reel |
D
|
AABBA part DDDD GGGD DDDD GADDB part DDGG AADD DDGG AADD | Everybody | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Stewart Lundys Tune |
D
|
|
Young Fogies volume 2 , Hoover Uprights | |||||||||||||||||||||
Suzannah Gals(a.k.a Western Country)
|
D
|
AABB Another tune where there are 2 sets of chords commonly played; pickers choice!A part DDDD DDDD DDDD AADDAlternate: DDGG DDAA DDGG AADDB part DDGG DDAA DDGG AADD |
Half Shaved String Band | Toe-Nail GapJam Session
|
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| Texas Quickstep (a.k.a Rachel) |
D
|
AABBA part DDGG AADD DDGG AADDB part DGDD AADD DGDD AADD | Palmer and Greg Laux | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Valley Forge |
D
|
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Ill Mo Boys | |||||||||||||||||||||
West Fork Gals
|
D
|
AABBA part DDGG AAAD DDGG AAADB part DDDD AAAA AADD DGAD | Half Shaved String Band | Jim Stanko, Joe Mazotas and Rick Carlson | ||||||||||||||||||||
Yellow Barber
|
D
|
AABB The very last time through substitute a D chord for the last A chord in the B part A part DDDD AAAA DDGG DDAA B part DDDD AAAA DDGG DDAA |
Buddy Thomas | Jim Stanko, Joe Mazotas and Rick Carlson | ||||||||||||||||||||
Yellow Roseof Texas
|
D
|
AABB As played by the New Lost City Ramblers transposed to the more common key of DA part DGDD DADD GGDD AADDB part DDDD AAAA DDDD AADD |
New Lost City Ramblers | Jim Stanko
|
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| Crooked Yellow Rose of Texas |
D
|
AABB This version os from Bruce Greene; note the last part has only 3 measures (12 beats) A part DDGG DADD GGAA AADD B part DDDD AAAA AADD |
Bruce Green | |||||||||||||||||||||
| And the Cat Came Back |
G
|
AABBCC (Doc does not play it this way) A part: GGCC GGDD GGCC DDDG B part: GGGG GGDG C part: GGGG GGGG DDDD DDGG |
Doc Roberts | YouTube version | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Danced All Nigth With a Bottle in Her Hand |
G
|
AABBCC (The order varies, some leave out part C) A part: GGGG DDGG GGGG DDGG B part: GGGG DDDD GGGG DDGG C part: GGCC DDGG GGCC DDGG |
Skillett LickersHighwoodsGellert and Leftwich | YouTube of the Skillet Lickers | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shove the Pigs Foot a Little Further in the Fire |
G
|
AABB A part GGCC GGDD GGCC DDGG B part GGCC GGDD GGCC DDGG |
Bruce Molsky w/ Big Hoedown | |||||||||||||||||||||
Cuffy
|
G
|
AABB A part: GGGG DDDD GGGG DDGG B part: GGGG CCCC GGGG DDGG |
Highwoods String Band | Leo McDermott
|
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| Indian Nation |
G
|
AABB A part: DGDC DGDG DGDC DDDG B part: GGGG GGDG GGGG GGDG |
Dan Gellert, Brad Leftwich | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Nail the Catfish to the Tree |
G
|
AABB A part GGGG DDDD GGGG DDGG B part CCCC DDDD CCCC DDGG |
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| North Carolina Breakdown |
G
|
|
Bayard Ray | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Waldorf Reel |
G
|
|
Fly by Night String Band | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Walking in My Sleep |
G
|
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| Buffalo Gals |
A
|
AABB A part AAAA AAEE AADD EEAA B part AAAA AEAA AADD EEAA |
John Hatcher version from Mississippi | |||||||||||||||||||||
Boatsman
|
A
|
AABCB A part AAAA AADE AAAA DAEA B part DADA DAEA DADA DAEA C part AAAA AADE AAAA DAEA |
Ed HaleyThere are a couple of others which are quite different. | Steve Austin and Carl Baron at Lake Genero 2004 |
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| Boatman |
A
|
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Marvin Gastner | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Great Big ‘Taters in the Sandy Land |
A
|
AABB A part AADD DDAA AADD AAEE B part AADD AAEE AADD EEAA |
Rayna Gellert | |||||||||||||||||||||
Goingto the Free State
|
A
|
AABB This is also known as Clinton, or Apple Knocker A part AAAA AAEE AADD EEAA B part AAAA AAEE AADD EEEA |
Lake Genero Jam |
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Greasy Coat
|
A
|
AABB A part:AAAA AAEA AAAA AAEA B part: AAGG AADD AAGG AAEA |
Black Creek Jam 2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Grub Springs |
A
|
AABB A part AAAA AAAA AAAA AADA B part AADD AADD AADD AEEE |
Steve Uhrik, Gerall Hieser, Jim Stanko | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Jim Shank |
A
|
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Bruce Green,Rhys Jones -Stary Night | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Liza Jane |
A
|
AABB A part AAAA AADD EEEE EEAA B part AAAA AADD AAAA EEAA |
Jim Stanko | |||||||||||||||||||||
Little Billy Wilson
|
A
|
AABBCC (note that in the MP3 here,Leo only plays the B part once) A part AAAA EEEE AAAA EEEA B part AAEE AAEA AAEE AAEA C part AADD AAAA EEDD AAEA |
Joel Shimberg | Leo McDermot | ||||||||||||||||||||
Hangman'sReel
|
A
|
AABCDD My chords may vary slightly from this recorded version… A part AAAE AAAE AAAE AEEA B part AADD AAEA AADD AAEA C part EEAA EEEA EEAA EEEE D part ADAD ADAE ADAD AEEA |
Jam Session at Brandywine |
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| Kansas City Reel |
A
|
AABB A part AEAA EEEE AEAA EEEA B part AADA EEED AADA EEAA |
Greg and Jere Canote | |||||||||||||||||||||
Old Joe Clark
|
A
|
AABB You’re right, these are not your typical bluegrass chords. A part AADD AAEE AADD EEA A Alternate: DDAA DDEE AADD EEAA B part AAAA AAEE AADD EEAA |
Dan Gellert, Brad Leftwich | Skillet Lickers | ||||||||||||||||||||
Rebel Raid
|
A
|
AABB Ms. Ella plays a D7 behind Ed in the B part, but the D major works fine too. A part AAAA EEEE AAAA EEEA B part DDAA EEAA DDAA EEEA |
Ed Haley | Steve Austin and Carl Baron at Lake Gener0 2004 |
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| Ways of the World |
A
|
AABCC Note extra beat in 2nd measure of A part A part AAGG GGGEE AAGG EEEA B part AAEE DDAA AAEE DDAA C part AAEE AAEA AAEE DDAA |
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Texas Gals
|
C
|
AABBCC A part CGCC CGCC CGCC GGCC B part CCCC FFFF CCCC GGCC C part CCFF GGCC CCFF GGCC |
Leo McDermott | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Pikes Peak |
C
|
AABB A part CCCC GGGG CCCC GGCC B part CCCC FFFF CCCC GGCC |
Arm & Hammer String Band | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Cherry River Rag |
C
|
AABB A part CCCC D7D7D7D7 GGCA7 D7D7GC B part CCCC GGGG CCCC D7D7GC |
Ed HaleyPlank Road StringBand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Hi charlie. Maybe you could post a downloadable copy of this? Standard cut/paste doesnt work well on it. See you soon.
I’ve come to your jam a few times and really had a nice time… However after reading your mission statement where everyone plays the melody…I’m not sure how my cello would fit in… I’m just an intermediate player and believe me the tempo and technique shown there is a far cry from where i am today…. I did and will make a copy of your tune list…, and hope to see you later sometime this decade lol.. sign, an intermediate cellist
THANKS, We have an Old Time jam every Thursday night in San Antonio Fl. NOT Texas. Four or five of the songs you have listed are thing we are just starting to play. Great to see so much info in one site!
Steve Cox