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Leather Britches Banjo Tabs

Traditional

Leather Britches Banjo Tablature: One Song, Many Styles

Recomended level: Intermediate

Tags: #up-tempo, #old-time, #fiddle tune

The term may apply to' leather breeches,' a word for green (snap) beans dried in the pod and then fried in some sections of the American South and West. Sometimes the beans would be stabbed together with a needle and thread and hanged to dry where they would last the winter (but they would have to be washed before cooking to re-hydrate them). Or the name may apply to real leather shoes, and it has been pointed out that performing the melody on the fiddle requires bowing in a gesture that has been related to stitching motions with a needle and thread. Professor Samuel Bayard states that the song is derived from or connected to an Irish air named "Breeches On (The)" and "Irish Lad (The)" and a common Scottish reel generally called "Lord MacDonald (4)/McDonald's Reel." In particular, the order of the pieces is changed from the' MacDonald' theme. Paul Gifford claims that the first print version of "Leather Breeches" occurs in numerical tablature in Music for the Piano Dulcimer by Robert J. Rudisill (born in 1804, a farmer from Ralls County, Missouri.), written in 1859 by Stedman (New York) & Milton (Kentucky), distributed by L.S. & H. Wade. Apparently the volume was written to complement the dulcimers created by the Wades in Chautauqua County, New York, says Paul. Gifford remarks (in Fiddle-L, 2013), that "Leather Breeches," "is in A Tour Through Indiana in 1840: The Diary of John Parsons of Petersburg, Virginia (NY: Robert M. McBride & Co., 1920, now at the University of Pittsburgh Library), p. 227, where he wrote:"

Learn how to play Leather Britches on Banjo with this selection of tablatures:

  • Banjo Leather Britches Scruggs Style

    Scruggs Style

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      G
    • Tempo
      120 bpm
    • Tuning
      gDGBD

    A simple arrangement of leather britches reminiscent of the B section to Cumberland Gap.

    Learn
  • Banjo Leather Britches Melodic Style

    Melodic Style

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      G
    • Tempo
      120 bpm
    • Tuning
      gDGBD

    A really fun and involved version of Leather Britches as played by Scott Vestal on the "Ultimate Pickin'" record.

    Learn
  • Banjo Leather Britches Backup Style

    Backup Style

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      G
    • Tempo
      120 bpm
    • Tuning
      gDGBD

    Lots of open G rolling in this one, and it's a great example of how to play behind a fiddle player. Leather Britches is commonly played as a fiddle/banjo duet.

    Learn



Practicing Tips

The learning resource, 'Leather Britches,' is designed to enrich your banjo playing repertoire with profound bluegrass tablatures. Geared toward intermediate players, this module presents banjo arrangements in the stylings of Scruggs, Melodic, and Backup Styles. With a vibrant, lively tempo, this old-time fiddle tune is sure to enliven your performances.


Invention and individuality are at the heart of this educational platform. The 'Lickswitcher' tool offered by Tunefox is a prime example. This ingenious feature lets you swap licks in individual measures, therefore stimulating a flexible and imaginative learning experience. This hands-on approach to learning encourages not just the rote memorization of the tune, but also the development of a unique playing style.


The 'Arrange' slider is another incredibly useful tool provided by the platform. With this feature, you have the freedom to tweak the difficulty level and tonal quality of the song to suit your skill level and musical preference. This tool facilitates a learner-centric method that lets you optimize your training according to your individual competencies and taste.


An auditory learner? No problem. Tunefox's 'Hide notes' function caters to your learning style. This slider tool lets you hide individual notes, thereby promoting tune learning by ear. This practice sharpens your musical intuition and memory and trains you to discern notes, pitches, and sequences with your ears.


To make the most out of your learning experience with 'Leather Britches,' adopt a consistent practice schedule. Repetition could enhance muscle memory, thus improving your technique. Slow down the tempo until you're comfortable with each lick before increasing the speed. Finally, merge all these licks to play the full song. Playing along with the backing track can also be beneficial, providing the feel of a live ensemble and helping to perfect rhythm and tempo.