Cotton Eyed Joe Clawhammer banjo Tabs
Traditional
Cotton Eyed Joe Clawhammer banjo Tablature: One Song, Many Styles
Recomended level: Beginner
This is a common folk song that's found in Bluegrass, Old-Time, and even in Western Swing Music. It's played a couple different ways - even within the same genre. Depending on who you play it with there may be a slightly different melody, form, or set of chord changes. There's always connecting threads. That's why we've provided a couple different versions here. You'll be able to listen and learn several to get an idea of some of the similarities and differences.
No matter which route you take. It's always important to start with the melody. Listen repeatedly. Ideally you have the sound memorized and can hum or think through the tune even when it's not playing. Simple melodies are also great if you are learning by ear. Use the hide notes and other Tunefox tools as training wheels to help you through this process.
The Melody & Clawhammer arrangements are similar to the way most bluegrass players and a lot of old-time players like Tommy Jarrell and David Holt play this tune. There's no "C"chord in the progression and no C note in the basic melody.
Melody #2 and Old-Time are based on the way many old time banjo players pick and sing this tune. The 3 measure A part is also how it was played by Bob Wills and the Texas playboys. They didn't have add the B part.
There's even more ways this tune has been played. Other Texas Swing bands like Asleep at the Wheel or older players like Adolph Hofner Played a version that's similar to the Clawhammer arrangement, but it has a C chord and note in the A part, and the B part goes to a higher register. Start trying to learn by ear some and learn multiple versions to develop your musical awareness and sensibilities.
Learn how to play Cotton Eyed Joe on Clawhammer banjo with this selection of tablatures:
-
-
LearnClawhammer
- Difficulty
- Key G
- Tempo 60 bpm
- Tuning GDGBD
Here's a great version of Cotton Eyed Joe for clawhammer banjo. This is one of the many ways the tune is played. Some people don't add in the "D" chord here, others play it more lik...
-
-
