Clarence_White_Guitar_Rev1

© 2009 Laughing Hands Music

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Originally published 1978 by Oak Publications This is the second edition, © 2009 Laughing Hands Music, all rights reserved. Any reproduction or printout of this file for distribution is strictly forbidden.

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A Note About This Edition This downloadable PDF version is a reissue of material from a book originally published in 1978 by Oak Publications. In the years since Oak discontinued the book, original copies have gotten quite expensive on eBay, and I have had many requests to reissue it. In this edition I have left out the photos and three of the tunes (A Life of Sorrow, Mountain Dew and Bugle Call Rag) due to copyright issues. I have also deleted the original discography, since it is out of date and current discographies are available from other sources. All the other transcriptions, commentary and instruction from the Oak edition are included in this version. The transcriptions here come from recordings originally available on the following albums: Eric Weissberg and Marshal Brickman, New Dimensions in Banjo and Bluegrass (originally Elektra EKS 7238, 1963) The Kentucky Colonels, Appalachian Swing (originally World Pacific ST/WP 1821, 1964) The Kentucky Colonels, Livin’ in he Past (originally Sierra-Briar SPR4202) The Kentucky Colonels, The Kentucky Colonels 1965-1966 (originally Rounder 0070) The White Brothers, Live in Sweden (originally Rounder 0073) Muleskinner (originally Warner Brothers (S) B 2683)

These recordings have undergone various label changes and reissues since 1978, but can be easily researched for current availability on the web. The original source recording is indicated for each transcription. I encourage anyone interested in Clarence’s playing to buy The Essential Clarence White: Bluegrass Guitar Leads, an excellent recent book by Roland White and Diane Bouska. It’s full of great photos, transcriptions, history, and commentary and includes two CDs with a number of great features. It contains 10 songs that my book does not contain, so there is not much overlap. Russ Barenberg

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Introduction 5 Musical Biography 6 Musical Style 10 Notation and Terms 12 Introductory Instruction 13 Syncopation 13 Pick Direction and the Right Hand 14 Crosspicking 17 Analyzing a Phrase 19 The Music 20 No Title Yet Blues 21 Farewell Blues 23 John Henry 26 Sally Goodin (1964) 28 Sally Goodin (1973) 31 Billy in the Lowground 32 Listen to the Mockingbird 36 Nine Pound Hammer 39 I’m a Pilgrim 44 Barefoot Nellie 47 Sheik of Araby 48 New River Train 50 Soldier’s Joy 52 The New Soldier’s Joy 54 Julius Finkbine’s Rag 56 Alabama Jubilee 58 If You’re Ever Gonna Love Me 6o Dark Hollow 62 Backup 64 I’m a Pilgrim 64

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© 1973 Laredo Publications. Used by permission.

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