Snakewinder

I first played this tune with Canadian fiddler Glenn Patterson.  It was two in the morning and we were at Black Creek Fiddlers Reunion in Altamont New York.  I think I’d been playing for a dozen hours in the key of G.  I think the tune source was Kentucky fiddler Buddy Thomas.  Glenn said he learned it from a recording by Roger Cooper.

Every once in a while in the whirlwind of late night festival jams, a particular jam stands out.  For me this one was really memorable and still remains a favorite.  Glenn played a bunch of tunes that I didn’t really know but somehow they all seemed to work for me.  Over the next two hours we played about twenty-five tunes- I recorded most of them on my phone.  Some fiddlers present melodies in a way that just make sense to me.  I’ve been working on this one for a while and have quite a ways to go before I can play it smoothly.

Boston Bluegrass Day

Boston Bluegrass Day Mini-Festival this Sunday!


Sunday Jan. 2nd 2pm to 6p at The Real School of Music in Burlington, MA.
Performance by the Etienne Bluegrass Experience
Open Jamming and Slow Jam
Rich Stillman of Southern Rail to lead a Bluegrass Band Scramble.


When:  Sunday January 2nd, 2011 at 2pm
Where: 56 Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, MA 10803
How Much:  $10 at the door. ($5 with flyer-print this page!)
Is there a budding stage musician inside you? Have you ever dreamed of standing on stage, with people you didn’t know two hours before, playing bluegrass in front of tens of screaming fans? (Dreams have to start somewhere.)
The Band Scramble may be for you!  If you’ve ever played in a jam session, or if you can play three chords in rhythm, come out to the Real School of Music on January 2 and try your luck. Musicians enter the Scramble individually, and bands are created by picking names out of hats – one for each instrument, so bands have the tools they need. You and your new bandmates then have a two hour practice session, with coaching from BBU and Real School instructors, to prepare songs and stage patter for a six minute turn on the Real School’s stage, in front of a sound system and a live audience.
Every band will need a name, so be creative! (sorry, the name Wabash Cannibals is already taken!) The winner will be chosen based entirely on audience response, so stacking the audience is strongly encouraged. Judges will be on hand to make the tough call if the audience response is close. A prize, consistent with the dignity of the event, will be awarded to the winning band.
Come Join us for a really fun bluegrass event!