I'm currently working on learning Cumberland Gap. The problem I find with this tune--and lots of other old fiddle tunes--is that there are so many versions played out there, in different tunings, sometimes different timing, and even a different number of sections (A, B, C...D.?). It's not just a matter of picking the one I like the best, although that can be an issue.
Cumberland Gap seems like a tune that is really meant to be played as backup to singing, or maybe a fiddle. This would be true of lots of the kinds of tunes I'm talking about, I know. I almost always play alone, don't sing much. I love the sounds in Cumberland Gap, but I'm having a hard time getting my head around the tune itself.
I'm not even sure what my question is. I guess it's how do you get such a 'variable' melody in your head? I have at least 6 versions around here that I like, but each one is different enough that it could almost become a separate tune. ???