"Johnson Boys" Open C tuning

My arrangement of "Johnson Boys" in Open C on clawhammer banjo - September 12, 2009, 02:09 PM--was curious about this tune--found an interesting site with lyrics for different versions--http://bluegrassmessengers.com/johnson-boys--version-1-frank-proffitt.­aspx

I like the idea that it was sung by folks in the south, with the boys as roguish heroes then parodies by folk in the north with lyrics painting them as buffoons. Who knows--any which way, it's a fun little tune.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Johnson Boys
• old-time
• clawhammer
• banjo
• Open C tuning
• oldthymedragon

[foxesandfeathers]

this sounds great, i was looking into some smaller travel size 5 string banjos which come tuned open c, wonder if they have this pleasant sound to them

[oldthymedragon]

@foxesandfeathers I'm not familiar with the travel size banjos. It'd be great to have a chance to play some of them, compare their sound and set-up, and see/hear them. If you get one, I'd love to hear what you think of it.

[foxesandfeathers]

@oldthymedragon yeah i'm very into travel size instruments such as my banjolele but i'm finding the sound to not be banjo-esq enough. So i've been looking into some cheaper travel size banjo such as the gold tone 'plucky' which can be tuned C or D. I'm pretty knew to the world of banjos (but very interested) when playing open C (CGCEG) you're using the same tabs as an open G it just sounds higher, right?

[oldthymedragon]

@foxesandfeathers On a regular-sized banjo, open C is the same fingering as when capoed up two frets to D. Open G is the same fingers as when capoed up two frets to A. Not sure if it's any different for the travel-sized banjos or not. I tend to play C and D tunes in Open C if not playing in a group. A lot times, the fiddlers will have a special tuning they like to use for C or D, G or A. I just keep my capo handy instead of retuning.

[oldthymedragon]

Thanks all. Glad to share the fun!

[himmelstoss66]

really like ur banjo arrangement!  very old school! could u post the exact tuning please? thx much!

[oldthymedragon]

@himmelstoss66

I guess this tuning would be considered Double C. D C G C G Just found a webpage that has an electronic tuner and a listing of some of the different banjo tunings--may be helpful. YouTube won't let me post this with the link. I think you can get there if you Google "open C banjo tuning" and select the link for ezfolk.



[jazz31162]

Awesome pickin and singin! Your playing is so traditional and your voice is so Pop sound.

Pop and Old Time Music would cool. Pete Seeger was a like Folk Pop Star with The Weavers. I watched film called Folk America.

[coolanddark]

Dock Boggs couldnta done er any better!

[eah321]

sounds great.. love it.

[eah321]

you know what girl you got feeling

[aanderlini]

I have loved this song since the first time I heard Peggy Seeger play it, and you have done it very well. Thanks for keeping this music alive