Pete Martin

Mandolinistic Modifications of A Fiddle Tune

Music for this workshop

A common breakdown in Texas, Smiths Reel also is played in many old-time fiddle styles. Usually played in two parts, here the arrangement contains three parts. Diverse Texan fiddlers such as Bob Wills, Joey McKenzie and Terry Morris have all influenced this arrangement.

I have included two different A- and B-parts. The C-part is the major key B-part as played by Bob Wills with mandolinistic modifications to Bobs fiddle version. Older Texan versions (such as the recording Texas Fiddle Favorites) of Part B often are played with a D-major chord instead of the B-minor shown here. This B-minor seems to have evolved in the ‘70’s and is the common way fiddlers play it today.

Parts A1 and A2 are typical breakdown phrases in D-major. There are a number of pinkie fingers needed to play this arrangement. If you are not fluid with the pinkie*, practice these sections slowly keeping the pinkie placement accurate.

In measure 12, use the index finger on the second and first frets of the E-string, the notes F-sharp and F-natural. The chords are the common D breakdown progression.

Part B1 rolls right into a B-minor double stop. In measure 19, I like to play the triplet by hammering on to the fourth and sixth frets (notes B and C-sharp) of the G-string as it has a fiddle-type sound to me this way.

Parts C1 and C2 are identical. Lots of slides from the fourth to the seventh fret of the D-string. Everything else is straight forward.

Best of luck with this tune. You can hear an mp3 of this at my website.

If you want some pinkie exercises, feel free to e-mail me.

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