Beaumont Rag (Fiddle lesson)

[@johnb0nat3r]

As someone who plays fiddle and works in the wasteland that is Beaumont TX, I'm kind of fascinated that this amazing tune came from here! I found out after starting violin that my late grandfather played and I inherited his fiddle, I wonder if he ever played this

[@wadesmoke9726]

One of the prettiest tunes there is. You play it beautiful..Going to the Tennessee Valley Fiddler's Convention in Athens Alabama, I remember those old time fiddler's playing that one in jams all over several times acday

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks Cary!

[@writerrad]

Eck Robertson was known to play this tune in the 20s, though he did not record it until the 1960s. Robertson's version of this tune is pretty close to the version of the tune that Wills played on his various recordings before other members of his band would take over and "swing it." That would stand to reason insofar as Robertson and Wills' father were friends and frequent contestants and winners in early 20th century Texas fiddle contests. The odd things is largely from the popularity of the guitar instrumental version that Doc Watson made of this on his second Vanguard Album around 1963 or 4, among many bluegrass players, this tune has shifted from its proper key of F to being played in D. The interesting thing about the Serenaders recording is that it is in C if my memory serves correct.

[@cathygoltsoff9615]

Greetings from Galveston, Texas. I am enjoying your videos.

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks Cathy!

[@smegmagician]

Hey Chris, I've finally picked up the fiddle again after 6 years or so and your videos are making it a breeze to get some string under my fingers again. Thanks a million :)

[@TheFiddleChannel]

HI Dornia, delighted to hear it!

[@johntait491]

Excellent Chris. Very well explained and demonstrated. That BIAB backing sounded good..!! Thank you.

[@writerrad]

In the 19th and early 20th century Barbering was associated with music. Both Bob Wills and Johnny Gimble were barbers. In fact, after being quite successful working with Wills and others and being a main session man in Nashville, Johnny Gimble continued to take time out from the rat race, and went back to Texas and operated his barbershop. Barbering as done in the old days with scissors was a job that required the same dexterity that fiddling required, but did not threaten danger to the hands of physical labor. A musician going to a new town could often find a barbershop with a chair available for him or her (i know at least one female barber and fiddler) to make money until she or he had gigs. Barbershops were often places where a traveling musicians who hit town would go, as barbers might be musicians, and other musicians would hang out there. There might even be musical instruments, especially guitars, fiddles, mandolins, sitting around the barbershop for people to come in and play. And a barber shop might be a place a musician would put an instrument for sale in with a sign because some barbershops were seen as outposts of the music world. No less a musician than Bill Monroe found his famous Loar Gibson Mandolin in a Miami Barbershop when he was on tour in the early 1930s!

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks Tony, very interesting!

[@superflatpicker]

Great job on a great tune!