Decide right now to get a little better at learning by ear. Here's a 1924 recording of Fiddlin' John Carson playing Tukey in the Straw I got over at Honking Duck.
Ever ask your grandma how to cook something? My Great Grandma Surber wouldn't let you write anything down. When I asked questions, she would usually just say, "Pay attention, now."
It was always a pinch of this and a dash of that. I would watch her make chocolate pies every chance I got. When I got home, I tried to make my own. It was never just like Grandma's but it wasn't bad. It went the same way when I tried to learn fudge making from my mom.
Here's the deal. I believe a good cook is always growing their recipes and they rarely work from cook books. You don't have to worry about copying them exactly because they're going to do it different every time, at least a little bit. It's the same way with learning tunes by ear and by eye.
Stop worrying about getting it just perfect. It doesn't work that way. Stop worrying about whether or not you'll remember the tune. Just do the best you can and fudge the rest, seriously.
I'm giving you the whole tune and just one time through at various speeds. It's in the key of A. Notice the A-part starts with "and the turkey in the straw." (I've never heard another tune work like this one. Have you?) Hum along the best you can for as long as you can stand it. (in the car, while washing dishes, in Walmart, etc.) Do this every day for a week or so. If you're not getting a little section of notes, don't sweat it. Just do the best you can. In the end, whatever you don't get, make up.
Now for the mountain dulcimer. Capo DAD at the fourth fret (or use any other tuning capo combination you're into). With AND without the recordings, try to pick out what you've been humming. Give this phase another week.
Notice how Mr. Carson plays this a little different each time through. It's an organic, improvisational art form that I love. Hang with this for a while. I'll transcribe this for dulcimer soon. But first, let's let it all simmer.
turkey in the straw - fiddlin john carson
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To slow this stuff down while maintaining the pitch, I used Transcribe from Seventh String Software.
Looking for a cheap but very good portable mp3 player? Try the Sanza Clip+. I love mine and I've owned a few. It won't play stuff you buy on iTunes but I'm not using iTunes.
If you don't know how to burn downloaded MP3s to CDs you can play in your car, you better Google it.
P.S. - In general, people who are good at picking up tunes by ear and by eye have worked on this method of transmission a whole lot more than you know. You can call them talented but they know the truth. I'm not saying there's no such thing as talent. I'm just saying it's over-rated. Keep at it and you will get better. By the way, you'll never be able to copy someone's rendering exactly and your pie will never taste like Grandma's.
P.P.S. - Thanks for putting up with my sassiness tonight. I'm in a good mood. :)
