© 2009 Laughing Hands Music
Originally published 1978 by O ak Publications This is the second edition, © 2009 Laughing Hands Music, all rights reserved. Any reproduction or printout of th is 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. (A Life of Sorrow, Sorrow, In this edition I have left out ou t the photos and three of the tunes A Mountain Dew and Bugle 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 I have also deleted the original discography, since it is out of date and current discographies are available from other sources.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 Brickman, New Dimensions in Banjo and Bluegrass (originally Elektra EKS 7238, 1963) The Kentucky Colonels, Appalachian Colonels, Appalachian Swing (originally Swing (originally World Pacific ST/WP 1821, 1964) Past (originally Sierra-Briar SPR4202) The Kentucky Colonels, Livin’ Colonels, Livin’ in he Past (originally The Kentucky Colonels, The Kentucky Colonels 1965-1966 (originally 1965-1966 (originally Rounder 0070) The White Brothers, Live Brothers, Live in Sweden (originally Rounder 0073) Muleskinner (originally 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, 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
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Musical Biography
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Musical Style
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Notation and Terms
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Introductory Instruction
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Syncopation
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Pick Direction and the Right Hand
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Crosspicking
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Analyzing a Phrase
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The Music
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No Title Yet Blues
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Farewell Blues
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John Henry
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Sally Goodin (1964)
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Sally Goodin (1973)
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Billy in the Lowground
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Listen to the Mockingbird
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Nine Pound Hammer
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I’m a Pilgrim
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Barefoot Nellie
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Sheik of Araby
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New River Train
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Soldier’s Joy
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The New Soldier’s Joy
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Julius Finkbine’s Rag
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Alabama Jubilee
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If You’re Ever Gonna Love Me
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Dark Hollow
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Backup
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I’m a Pilgrim
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© 1973 Laredo Publications. Used by permission.
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