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 Building a Traditional Tune Repertoire
by Wendy Anthony
Ragtime Annie
(Key of D)
The Tune:
Ragtime Annie (also known as Raggedy Anne) is a popular American fiddle tune, played in both Old Time & Bluegrass. Although this tune actually has three parts, many people only play the first two parts, and the third part will often vary between players. The earliest documented recording was in 1922, by Texas fiddler Eck Robertson, playing all three parts.
(Listen to the 3-part MIDI at 120 & 160 bpm)
Techniques:
- Overview of Tune:
Fiddlers often tend to play this tune too fast, as a show-off piece; 160 - 180 beats per minute (bpm) is plenty fast enough to dance along to! A "ragged" rhythm is created by using short, clipped 1/8 notes & by the use of syncopated off-beat 1/8 notes following an on-beat rest.
- Fingering & Rhythm:
To help achieve a "ragged" sounding rhythm in the first 3 measures of Part A, make sure that the 1/8 notes are not held any longer than their true time value, by releasing the index (1st) finger as soon as the note is picked. (To experiment with how it should Not sound, try holding the index finger at the 2nd fret of the A strings longer, while picking the open D strings - this creates a sound that is too smooth for this tune.) In measure 4, the E note (2nd fret, D strings) is tied, so it is kept fretted while playing the 2nd C (1/4 note, 4th fret, A strings). To reach the higher notes on the E strings in Part B, use your ring (3rd) & little (4th) fingers to reach the A & B notes (5th & 7th frets) in measures 10, 12 & 18, the 2nd & 4th fingers in measure 23, and the 1st & 3rd fingers in measure 24.
- Pick Strokes & Rhythm: Pick all 1/4 notes with Downstrokes & all paired 1/8 notes with Down/Upstrokes. Create a syncopated rhythm (emphasis placed on the off-beat notes), in measures 4, 22 & 23, by picking the first two 1/8 notes with a Down/Upstroke, releasing the fretted finger for the 1/8 rest, then picking the next 1/8 note with another Upstroke.
Variations:
- Introductory Lead-ins: To help introduce the tempo, play lead-in notes before the tune's first measure. Try using a traditional fiddle shuffle for 2 full measures before the tune begins.
- 3rd Part: The key changes in the 3rd Part, from the original 2-part key of D, to the key of G (the C is no longer #). Modify the last measure of Part B to include a few lead-in notes to introduce Part C. Use open strings & chord tone notes to create a richer sound.
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