Arkansas Traveler on Mountain Dulcimer

Two dulcimer tracks with dulcimers tuned DAA are used for The Arkansas Traveler. It was raining today so making this video gave me something fun to do.

d_holeton@yahoo.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Mountain
• Appalachian
• Dulcimer
• Bluegrass
• Box
• Tennessee
• Ionian
• DAA

[Travisthetruth1]

So this song is about a lazy guy who makes excuses to not fix his roof.......I LOVE IT!!!! (replay)

[dholeton]

@Travisthetruth1

Thanks Travis

Yep, I think I would rather play music than fix a roof too.

Dave

[dholeton]

Thanks John

This song is normally played at a much faster pace but I like to sing it so in this case I call it played at "singing speed".

I have been to Cades Cove and it is one of those places that connects us to the lifestyle that existed here in Tennessee in the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries. I love to go to such places that display history and transmit such a strong feeling of the past.

Dave

[mtnpelican]

Thanks - got the tabs. I have to say, watching your videos has helped me a lot. One thing is clear - a lot of people, probably mostly beginners like me, fall into thinking that playing faster is always better. This is frustrating (more mistakes, erratic rhythm) and doesn't sound good anyway. For example almost everyone plays "Boil them Cabbage" very fast, but your version (with "Aunt Rhody") sounds so much better.

[dholeton]

@mtnpelican

Thanks Clark

I remember listening to a famous musician once and I realized he took the time to play it and sing it right (he made great sounds and he wasn't playing fast). That realization has motivated me to play music at a speed that is comfortable for me. I enjoy playing songs at what I'll call "singing speed". If you sing or think the lyrics while learning, you might find yourself playing the song slower and learning it faster.

Good Luck learning Arkansas Traveler.

Dave

[mtnpelican]

Really great, as always. I have a few questions: Are the pictures at the Museum of Appalachia in eastern Tennessee? It's a wonderful place! What kind of dulcimer is that? And finally, do you know of a fairly simple noter-and-drone version of Arkansas Traveler? I'm pretty new.

Clark

[dholeton]

@mtnpelican

Clark....Some pictures are from the Museum of Appalachia in Norris TN and some are from Cades Cove in Smoky Mountain National Park.

The dulcimer is a box dulcimer that I built from scratch after seeing some box dulcimers at the Museum of Appalachia.

To play this with a noter I think you will need a tab version in DAA (like the video). I found a simple DAA version at the Strum Hollow Acoustic Music web site. You can also email me and I can reply with one.

Thanks

Dave

[Bluebonnett52]

Good job!

[dlay436]

That was great never heard this one made me smile to here you play it thanks

[johnhenry176]

Just found this Dave! As previous comments, I like the pace at which you play it,and intend to try it at that speed henceforth !, thanks ! Co-incidentaly, I received a gift in the post two days ago, a book of art photos with appropriate notes, featuring 'Cade's Cove' !!!

jh176

[karcnikg]

@dholeton

My compliments, dholeton for your kind reply & good information.

I'll be looking up in Wikipedia more about bazooka.

Best wishes.