Track 12 - Skipping Stones

If you've been following my "album of original fiddle tunes" project, you'll know that I've only got one tune left to record on the original list (here). This tune is called "Cheese and Krackers" - rather than finishing my album, I thought I'd add another "bonus track." This week's offering is called "Skipping Stones:"

"Skipping Stones" - an original fiddle tune by Jeff Norman (me). Played twice through by me on my Buckeye tuned to aEAC#E; guitar accompaniment the second time through using a 12-fret Epiphone Masterbilt in standard guitar tuning capped at the 2nd fret. Tune and recording Copyright 2017 - Jeff Norman.

This tune has taken shape over the last few weeks - its what I find myself playing every time I pick up my couch-plunking Buckbee banjo (here). Its a squared-off A mixolydian tune that I play  in open A tuning - it would likely be a lot of fun at a dance or in a jam. I'll admit that I kind of stole the idea for the beginning of the B part from the fantastic Garry Harrison tune "Red Prairie Dawn." The B part of that tune starts with 4 really great half-notes that make the whole tune in my opinion - the ones Mr Harrison picked were absolutely perfect...the ones I picked are just okay in comparison : ) Note that, since I can't really "hold" notes on a banjo, I played them as quarter notes followed each time by open 3rd string A's; A fiddler would be encouraged to leave the A's out in favor of holding the half notes.

As for the name - my wife picked it. She just said it made her think of skipping stones - who am I to argue? Hope you enjoyed that one - I hope to finish the album next week with "Cheese and Krackers!" This monday/tuesday posting is getting to be a pattern - hopefully I'll post on time next week....