Key of D – aDADE
Banjo Tramp is one of Dan's favorite tunes and it’s a classic often played in jams and for dances! We do have to start with an apology as in the video Dan mentions it sounding like Whistling Rufus (which it does a bit) when he meant to say it is very much like the tune called “Twinkle” or “Twinkle Little Star” from the bluegrass and western contest style folks. It is very much the same tune though “Twinkle” is usually played in G.
Dan recorded this tune on his "Light of The Moon" CD and most likely Ward Jarvis’ playing of it on the old recording “Visits” is his source for the tune. He plays the parts in reverse order of how Dan does (as do most folks Dan has played it with) so Dan is sure he's heard elsewhere as well. No matter, play it as the folks you like to play it with see and hear fit.
This one is a lot of fun. It can be a good chord basic tune or a simple melodic or very ornamental tune depending upon your skill and personal preferences. Give it a go and build it up or strip it down.
Banjo Tramp is tabbed out in Dan's book Old Time Festival Tunes for Clawhammer Banjo (MB 20313).
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!