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Banjo tablatures for Big Spike Hammer

Osborne Brothers

Recomended level: Intermediate

Tags: #vocal song, #up-tempo

Big Spike Hammer is a popular song that was co-written by one of bluegrass's favorite songwriters, Pete Gable. The famous songwriter was also responsible for writing songs like Coleen Malone (Hot Rize), Tennessee 1949, and Blue Virginia Blues, which are just a few of his amazing works. He became close with young J.D. Crowe in the 60s through the Detroit radio station. J.D. had moved there with Jimmy Martin. During their stay there, Pete became connected to the bluegrass community.

The Osborne Brothers recorded Big Spike Hammer in 1965 and the song really took off in 1983, when the Bluegrass Album Band recorded it on their album, California Connection.

  • Banjo Big Spike Hammer Scruggs Style

    Scruggs Style

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      G
    • Tempo
      120 bpm
    • Tuning
      gDGBD

    This is a classic jam song popularized by the Bluegrass Album Band. J.D. Crowe played banjo on this track, and it's absolutely fantastic picking!

    Banjo Big Spike Hammer Scruggs Style
    Learn
  • Banjo Big Spike Hammer Scruggs Style-2

    Scruggs Style-2

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      C
    • Tempo
      120 bpm
    • Tuning
      gDGBD

    Step up to the challenge of learning this in a different key. Much of the right hand rolls are similar or the same as the J.D. Crowe arrangement. So if you've learned this here on tu...

    Banjo Big Spike Hammer Scruggs Style-2
    Learn
  • Banjo Big Spike Hammer Melodic Style

    Melodic Style

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      G
    • Tempo
      120 bpm
    • Tuning
      gDGBD

    This melodic arrangement of Big Spike Hammer is fairly complex as it moves to many places around the neck. Play with the metronome for cleanliness.

    Banjo Big Spike Hammer Melodic Style
    Learn
  • Banjo Big Spike Hammer Backup

    Backup

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      G
    • Tempo
      120 bpm
    • Tuning
      gDGBD

    The backup for Big Spike Hammer is fairly straightforward. It's very much based on what J.D. played on the original recording.

    Banjo Big Spike Hammer Backup
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Practicing Tips

Learning Overview
"Big Spike Hammer" is a vocal, up-tempo bluegrass song, presented with exclusive banjo tablatures in styles of Scruggs, Scruggs-2, Melodic and Backup. This learning resource is crafted for intermediate level players who want to deepen their understanding and proficiency in bluegrass music. While experiencing the nuances of this vibrant genre, the learners will discover the beauty of personalizing the music arrangement by experimenting with different licks.


Practice Tips
Understanding and utilizing the unique features of the Tunefox platform significantly enhances your learning. 'Lick Switcher' is a key feature that allows you to add new lick vocabulary and change the licks for individual measures. This opens up numerous potential variations for the song, offering you the opportunity to mold the arrangement according to your preferences and explore fresh interpretations of the tune.


Furthermore, a notable feature is the 'Arrange' slider which provides control in customizing the difficulty level. By sliding it to the left, many "fill-in" notes disappear, revealing a core, simple arrangement; swiping right dispenses extra notes, fleshing out the whole song.


Your journey to mastering "Big Spike Hammer" wouldn't be complete without experimenting with the tempo. Vary your speed with the convenient 'Tempo' slider; start at a pace comfortable to you, then gradually increase the tempo.


Practicing to backing tracks not only provides an enjoyable experience but also prepares you for your next jam session. Select measures you need to work on, play them on repeat with 'Speed Up' function which incrementally increases the playback tempo, facilitating a gentle progression to higher speeds.


Remember, the process of learning bluegrass is not only about mastering the technique, it's also about playing the music and experimenting. So, let your fingers free on the strings and play along with real-sounding backing tracks!

Big Spike Hammer lyrics

Vs.
Can't you hear the rhythm of my big spike hammer,
Lord, it's bustin' my side.
I've done all I can do to keep that woman,
Still she's not satisfied.

Ch.
Hey Hey, Della Mae
Why do you treat me this way,
Hey Hey, Della Mae
I'll get even someday.

Vs.
I'm the best hammer swinger in this big section gang,
Big Bill Johnson is my name.
This spike hammer that I swing for a doller'n a half a day,
It's all for my Della Mae.

Ch.

Vs.
Well, I've been lots of places and not much I ain't done,
Still alot of things I'd like to see.
This spike hammer that I swing or the woman that I love,
Yeah, one's gonna be the death of me.

Ch.

Big Spike Hammer, Big Spike Hammer