Peacock Rag (Fiddlin’ Arthur Smith)

The legendary Fiddlin’ Arthur Smith was hugely influential in old-time and early Bluegrass music. Peacock Rag is very much a classic country rag with all the characteristics of the genre. It is widely played especially in Bluegrass and to a lesser extent in old-time circles. The melody is very accessible and provides a great lesson in seeing intervals. The more complicated arranging ideas will really give you a workout, using the entire instrument and just about every note! The lessons stress the importance of thinking chords: you will almost have to do so to master the harder arrangement. The backup is so much fun to play against the melody. The arranging ideas and chord progression have all the hallmarks of a classic rag: syncopations; chromatics; circle of fifths chord movement (“BEAD”). It is a perfect illustration of the theory of secondary dominants. The advantages of left-hand lead are on full display in the arrangement. A fantastic learning experience!!  

Here's What You Get:

$38 (Sheet music PLUS all video lessons)

Sheet music for melody, backup, arrangement #1, and arranging ideas. Ken talks through the tune, chord choices, hammering patterns, backups, embellishments, arranging, play-throughs, and more on his dulcimer (shot from above so that you can see what he's doing).

Video Lessons Included:

• Basic Tune
• Hammering (A Part)
• Hammering (B Part)
• Lower Octave
• Chord Theory
• Syncopation, etc.
• Backup (A Part-1st Pass)
• Backup (B Part)
• Backup (A Part-2nd Pass)
• Arrangement #1 (A Part)
• Arrangement #1 (B Part)
• Arranging Ideas (A Part-1st Pass)
• Arranging Ideas (A Part-2nd Pass)
• Arranging Ideas (B Part-1st Pass)
• Arranging Ideas (B Part-2nd Pass)
• Practice Track
• Play-through

Approximate length: 91 minutes

***Videos can be streamed, downloaded, or viewed in the Gumroad App on mobile devices. Watch your email for instructions after purchase***

It's like having private mini-tutorials from Ken that you can watch over and over!

NOTE: Even if you already own the sheet music, your purchase ensures that you receive the latest updated versions, and future additions to new arranging ideas, backups and so forth as Ken experiments and develops his playing of the tune.

Thank you for your support - I hope you enjoy the tune! Please do not share your purchased music and videos.

Recorded at Fenchurch Music Studio, Baltimore MD for the Spring 2020 Sandbridge Hammered Dulcimer Retreat