Old Time Fiddle Tune - Sandy River Belle

[@lancewright6211]

There is something special about skilled musicians that share the knowledge in ways that are easy to understand (like showing the sheet music, and not playing too fast). I am so happy when I play along with you with my autoharp. Thanks for being special!

[@peakfiddler]

Thank you

[@robertshorthill6836]

Mr. P, I happened to play this tune to my dear cousin over a phone call last week. She was very gratefull and impressed with my musical ability. It is a laid back tune that has the feel of floating down a lazy slow moving river.

[@robertshorthill6836]

I am going to try this one over a phone call to my cousin in a different town. Need to practice it for 20 minutes to refresh my mind and fingers. Great tune, laid back, like floating down a lazy river in August.

[@sandraclay2345]

I have been playing this video this over and over again. I love it so much. Thanks for sharing your music and the joy it brings.

[@peakfiddler]

Hey that's so good to know, thank you for adding your encouraging comment, glad you like this video.

[@oedus]

Picked up this tune from you Mr. Peak, and subsequently introduced it to the local fiddle group. I'm not the only one who loves it - people ask to play it all the time. 😊 Hope you had a wonderful Christmas/Holiday and hope you have a most excellent New Year (replete with many new tunes! 😆)!

[@songbirdscreations-MargaretS]

Beautiful song! Can't wait to get my fiddle so I can try it! In the meantime, I have learned it on the hammered dulcimer, which is very pretty too!

[@marciah0312]

What a cool, lively tune! Just awesome :)

[@mariasargent7742]

I love this tune so much because it reminds me of my favourite childhood book; Huckleberry Finn. It has inspired me to reread it and relive Huck and Big Jim hiding their raft and setting up camp while watching the Riverboats go by. Your music brings back so many wonderful memories. Thank you so much!

[@peakfiddler]

You are most welcome Maria, it's great to hear that this music conjures up such nice memories

[@linwise7241]

Great tune! Love John Hartford. He was an amazing fiddler!

[@bilnjan]

You are the Man ! Great playing.

[@peakfiddler]

Thanks for listening

[@urielprince12]

love the mandolin in the backround

[@bearshield7138]

sweet job

[@sandyhearn9656]

Very cool! I'm learning this on the mountain dulcimer...fun song!

[@oldbikerbear]

WAHOO! Love this stuff! Keep up the good work!

[@mialoly5438]

Beautiful!

[@lesliecaraher6238]

Correction: This is not Boatman. But Sandy River Bell is also an old minstrel tune probably commemorating a steam boat on the Sandy River that is the border between Kentucky and West Virginia.

[@peakfiddler]

Useful info never the less, Cheers

[@JagVentures]

Beautiful

[@newfiemusic]

Awesome studio, great music...

[@peakfiddler]

I love working there

[@millfolkcelticmusic3116]

great sound. thanks

[@peakfiddler]

Thanks for your comment Steffen

[@joeycovington4681]

Awesome

[@johnaustin1825]

Great - nice tone. I am learning the fiddle and wonder if fiddle players are expected to be able to accompany any singer and any song (Without prior notice)?

[@peakfiddler]

If the song is in a regular key, yes.

[@brookslouise2877]

nice to meet you !!!

[@lesliecaraher6238]

You might mention that this is a minstrel tune celebrating the boatmen on the river barges floating down the Ohio and Mississippi and other rivers. The full name is Dance Boatman Dance and it was popular in the 1840's. I do not know if the melody is original or traditional.

[@peakfiddler]

That's so helpful, cheers

[@bernhardnizynski4403]

This sounds very similar to 'Flowers of Glasgow'!

[@northbouy2625]

love it. Cheers

[@wildwillyprepper]

Very nice

[@crustation05]

Thank you!!

[@gaetanobevilacqua1515]

excellent.

[@sandrakerr5024]

I think I could probably learn that the cycle don’t seem to difficult but the drone and double stops I’ve never done before, it’ll be my first if I do, Thank you for the inspiration, 🎻

[@WilliamCerf]

Lovely!!

[@joep4635]

Mr. Peak, in Part 2, is that a double stop using your ring and middle on the A & D slide up? Or are you just sliding your ring on A and playing the open D? Can't tell on a slowdown and both versions sound acceptable. Thank you for all the lessons!

[@pastore0506]

Great stuff Chris!

[@peakfiddler]

Thanks George, long time no see. This is a great tune to play, as it's quite laid back.

[@pastore0506]

peakfiddler I really enjoyed listening to it! 😊

[@TModel15]

Great tune and you have captured the spirit as well.

[@brysonbuckner8104]

Sounds like some good bluegrass

[@joynjrny]

I love your rendition the best of all I’ve heard of this tune. I got the A part down but I’m fumbling a bit on the B. Is the tune, as your playing it, in the Fiddler’s Fake Book? Thanks for sharing your gift of music and I really love your style and bowing.

[@peakfiddler]

I originally learnt this tune from my copy of the Fiddlers Fakebook, the first version in the book. But over the years it has gradually changed and become what you now hear in this video. So glad that you are enjoying my version.

[@joynjrny]

peakfiddler I just purchased the Fake Book. It’s been in my Amazon cart forever, haha. I think I got the B part down. I’ve been working on it all morning. Thanks again.

[@peakfiddler]

I refer to the Fake book a lot, so I'm sure you will find it useful. Glad you got the B section sorted as well.

[@colinhesketh4710]

Champion Lad champion!

[@turkeylurkeyy4475]

great stuff! can I use this track for a school project I'm working on? I'll be sure to give you a reference. I'm not making any money. I'm putting together a fable narration and this music is perfect for the background. I look forward to hearing more!

[@peakfiddler]

Sure, no problem. Glad you feel that this is suitable. Good luck.

[@custerranch]

Wow! I just keep being introduced to new tunes on your channel! Is this song in standard GDAE tuning, or an alternate tuning?

[@peakfiddler]

Standard GDAE, even though it does sound like I have retuned, in fact it's standard tuning

[@custerranch]

Really nice! I think it's the smooth drones and double stops that make it sound cross tuned and delightfully old-timey.

[@newfiemusic]

How many instruments do you play?

[@peakfiddler]

I'm guessing about 8 or 9, I struggle with wind instruments, but keep trying

[@JaiJai-cc9ze]

You're very talented.

[@donaldpenniman7106]

Well done - this tune needs a banjo, and not too fast. It's a Sunday back porch tune, not a Saturday square dance tune.