"Boatman" Annie & Mac Old Time Music Moment

This song was sometimes called
"Boatman's Dance" and was first published in the 1840's. Mac plays it clawhammer style on an early Washburn banjo fitted with gut strings and skin head, accompanied by Annie on rhythm guitar. http://www.annieandmac.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• American
• roots
• music
• stringband

[redbeard10001]

Great stuff- really sweet sound on the banjo!

[annieandmac]

Thanks Redbeard!! I just replied to your message too.

Mac

[tbirdlew]

I have been watching all of your videos, and they all have that certain "authentic" touch. I love the tone from the gut and skin. Very nice touch. Loved it.

[annieandmac]

Thank you for those encouraging words!!!

All the best,

Mac

[fredcoonbanjo]

Very nice version of Boatman. You might like the one I learned from John Hilt of Tannersville, VA some 40+ years ago. It is on my You Tube site.

Fred Coon

[annieandmac]

That's a nice version you've got too Fred!! I've never heard two people play the last part the same way - great tune with a lot of possibilities.

[TheSteamtramman]

My old 1st mate on our tug used to play this tune on his banjo at night when we were cold,wet and a long way from home. Trouble was with the condensation he often ended up with a ker-plunk and had to keep re-tuning! Happy days long ago

[schaap200]

im such a huge fan of yours!

[QuagmireYMSB]

where can i get tablature on how to play this song!? that was awesome

[annieandmac]

The string relationship is the same as

standard banjo G tuning. From 5th to 1st

gDGBD - What makes the difference on this old gut string banjo is that the string tension is less so the tone is lower. Instead of the open strings producing a G chord they produce a D chord. From 5th to 1st the strings are

dADF#A Hope this helps. Thanks for your comment.