It’s a Two-fer! Fortune and Old Molly Hare
Key of D – aDADE
In this, tunetorial number 40, Dan "Clawdan" Levenson teaches not one, but TWO tunes! Fortune and Old Molly Hare.
Fortune is a classic! One of the foundation tunes that everyone (should) play. Dan has a lot (over 30) of references recordings for this one including old sources from the playing of Tommy Jarrell and Fred Cockerham, The Camp Creek Boys (considered the source), Brad Leftwich, Bruce Molsky, Glen Smith and… well, need we go on? Any of these will give you a good source for this one.
On the plus side, it is a pretty basic and straightforward tune to play, while on the other plus side, it can be a tune full of subtle variations and rhythmic creativity. See for yourself and give it a go.
In this tunetorial, Dan play the tune at a moderate pace starting out pretty basic (well as basic as he can, anyway) and adding to it both notationally and rhythmically and as we go. This one can be very basic or quite ornamental depending on how YOU want it to go. There is focus on a back up version as well.
This week’s bonus is the breakdown and view of how you can play just a simple melody on the downbeats, then add a double thumb 5th string, then a drop thumb then more bells and whistles to fill out this tune. Play it simple or fancy. You choose.
But this also allows for a bonus tune of Old Molly Hair. That one is a simple song and we approach it here with the goal of starting you on your singing career with old time banjo! HAha… So, when this one looks like we are done for the week, stay on for Old Molly Hare.
You can purchase the video lesson (for unlimited streaming and download) here on the Banjo Hangout for $6.
Feel free to post any questions you have on it, remark on sections you would like clarified or things you might like added. Yes even the things you don’t like are fair game. It grows the tune and the community when you know what you like and don’t like as you build your own style.
It would be great to hear some of your versions so far so post them here for all to hear!