Dwight Diller plays "Cumberland Gap" at Brown's Creek

[@joshuagoodman3854]

I've listened to this maybe 50 times in the past month and I always get something new and good!

[@zenbanjo2533]

Classic Diller groove.

[@paulsedgwick7060]

Love them shoes! Wish I could play like that.

[@willgingell5595]

It's Dwight's shoes that give him his banjo powers.

[@dorindacontreras1094]

I think we should start a new line of shoes 👟 just so we play half as good as Dwight!

[@f1948s]

Love your style Dwight but very hard for me to get it down. Even after watching one of your training videos I never could get that feel. Do you have any recommendations that might get the lights turned on for me to get your style down?

[@henrydoake6659]

This is an amazing version! Nice!

[@lyndonlondon]

Great version of a great song, it just rolls along. Perfect...

[@rattyfingers8621]

For anyone wondering about the tuning, its F#5554.. So pick a note for the fifth drone like g, f# e etc. Then tune 1st string to the drone string on the 4th fret, then each string up on the 5th. F#BEAD. RIP Dwight.

[@zachb8012]

Can you clarify in relative tuning if the drone is tuned to g? I've read this comment over and over, trying to figure out what 4555 means, been tuning my banjo every which way but it doesn't sound right. I mean... it looks like he's just tuned relative to sawmill.

[@rattyfingers8621]

I just double checked. Drone is F#. Tune your strings as instructed and you get what other ppl have posted here. F#BEAD or...F#5554. And I apologize as I was looking at what Dwight wrote as the tuning and realize now that he wrote it backwards.

[@ThirtytoOne]

Love it! Nice job!

[@dwightdiller]

i am getting ready to add aphew more tracks w/o just sound. was recorded this past week. of course, best laid plans of........ - thanks for supporting comments. dllr

[@LUMBRZACH]

This is a wonderful version! Where can I get tabs for this?

[@johnivkovich8655]

I have worn out the Harvest cd I bought in West Virginia, how can I buy a new one?

[@lesliecaraher6238]

Many years have passed since this was made but what are years in old-time west virginia music. I love this version, Dwight, because you play the first part low (instead of high like other folks) and most of all because the rhythm is a moderate gallup. Of course, you leave out the second part but who's counting (besides me). Your version makes the last part really jump out and that's neat. The tune is played in normal double D tuning. Nothing special so don't get wrapped around an axle about the tuning. If Dwight disagrees, listen to him, but for me I find it plays just fine in DD tuning and in drop C (or drop D if you use a capo which I do).

[@dwightdiller]

the old people called this "Cumberland Gap tuning" which is "4555", not D tuning nor "John Henry Blues tuning, neither either.

[@Beshinemusician]

@@dwightdiller what is 4555 tuning? f#BEAD?

[@9lontoonieful1]

Sounds good!

[@banjoplayer57]

Hi, love it. What tuning is this? --Christine

[@sjeter61]

outstanding!!!!

[@dwightdiller]

maybe in july ['12] or maybe june?

[@tricia814]

Wish I could play like that.

[@davidappleton4628]

Would love to know the make of his banjo.

[@Filligree]

when was this recorded?

[@dwightdiller]

duh -- i meant "w/ just sound"

[@lyndonlondon]

I'm pretty sure the tuning is f#BEAD.

[@robertjohnson5795]

Saw a comment in a forum on this version and someone said it was GCFBbC, which is relatively the same as F#BEAD just 1/2 step up. I tried that tuning and I couldn't get it to sound right but then, I'm not Dwight Diller either.

[@robertjohnson5795]

Forget what I just said. f#BEAD works. Sounds terrible on my Americana b/c it's got light strings and they warble all over the place. Got a Pisgah coming with mediums. I think that will work just fine.

[@c0alminer]

me too.....(sigh)..

[@dorindacontreras1094]

Anybody know the tuning?

[@gbohmfalk1]

As comments below from Dwight & others say, this is what Adam Hurt calls Cumberland Gap tuning, which seems to be the same as F#5554, F#BEAD, and all the relatives. Adam loves it for many tunes, Big Sciota et al. After popping my 1st string several times trying to tune up, I've settled on playing in E: g#C#F#BE as safest but a pain to tune, with capo on fret 2. I find it hard to tune to but think it's very beautifully "harpy" with a Galax lick ending on that third high G# fifth string. Adam agrees that the D tuning (F#BEAD) is mighty floppy with the strings so loose. Enjoy, and RIP Dwight!

[@batum44]

where you bi hidin?