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The “Big Scioty” is a traditional fiddle tune
that I fell in love with the first time I heard it. Although the form
is the standard AABB structure, both the melody and the chords seem to
take the listener on a winding journey that appears more complicated
than some typical jam session fiddle tunes. Once you get this tune
under your fingers I know you will be teaching it to all your picking
buddies!
When I play the melody my left hand is mostly
in second position (index finger playing the second fret), but when I
have to play the C note on the B string (first fret), I grab that note
with my index finger. I shift my hand while letting the open string
ring. Don’t stay in first position after playing that note for the
remainder of the section should be played out of second position. In
measure six, where you slide form the third fret to the fifth, I am
sliding with my middle finger. After the slide there is an open E
string which allows me to quickly shift back to second position. Get
it?
II use strict alternate picking when
flatpicking fiddle tunes and this tunes is no exception. The pickup
measure is a triplet which I play using one down pick-stroke, the next
two notes are hammer-ons. Be careful when sliding, pulling off, and
hammering on that you are keeping your strokes correct. You may have
to use two downs or two ups in a row to keep your pick direction
correct. I think of it like this: 1+2+3+4+ can be translated to
DUDUDUDU. If I am sliding from one note to another I do not need to
pick that note because the slide is sounding the note instead. The
slide will then take the place of whatever pick stroke would normally
be next.
I will cover all these topics in upcoming issues of FGM. I hope you
enjoy playing the “Big Scioty” as much as much as I do. I love to hear
from my students and readers so don’t be afraid to drop me a line at [email protected] .
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