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Banjo tablatures for Fisher's Hornpipe

Traditional

Recomended level: Intermediate

Tags: #instrumental, #old time, #medium-tempo

Older versions are in the key of' F' major, though it was stated in' D' by Joseph Kershaw's in the manuscript of his fiddler (from North West England). "Fisher's" exists from the late 18th century on in various musician's handwritten books (see Ann Winning ton's music book — Winnington was born in America, but was England's resident). The song is entered under the name "Egg Hornpipe" in Lincolnshire composer Joshua Gibbons 1823–26 book, perhaps after the tradition of some stage hornpipe dancers to strew the floor with eggs and dance between them without losing any, to show talent and command. It was one of the most famous tunes in the manuscripts of English musicians, appearing in the Burnett, Green, Watson, Ellis Knowles, Harrison, Mittel, amongst many others listed above. Phillip Heath-Coleman finds a variant as Oxfordshire Morris dance musician William Kimber's' 1st of May/1st of May (The)' (the title applied to many different tunes) and reports that' Neal Lanham accumulated a diddled version of the same simplified variant from Billy French in Sudbury, Suffolk, where the same bars reflect more closely the' original' version of' Fisher's.' In a short span of time, the song was widely popular. It was already known in both England and the newly independent United States as "Fisher's Hornpipe" when it was written in his copybook for the German flute of c by the American John Greenwood. 1783. Another American book of the 18th century, a 1796 collection entitled An Evening Amusement for German Flute and Violin, was published by Benjamin and Joseph Carr in Philadelphia and features the hornpipe played in' D' Major. To the melody was written an American rural dance.

  • Banjo Fisher's Hornpipe Scruggs Style

    Scruggs Style

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      D
    • Tempo
      120 bpm
    • Tuning
      aDGBD

    A Scruggs style arrangement in open D. Pairs wonderfully with the melodic style :)

    Banjo Fisher's Hornpipe Scruggs Style
    Learn
  • Banjo Fisher's Hornpipe Melodic Style

    Melodic Style

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      D
    • Tempo
      112 bpm
    • Tuning
      aDGBD

    Here is a challenging arrangement that will give you new perspective on utilizing the thumb to pick in the melodic style.

    Banjo Fisher's Hornpipe Melodic Style
    Learn
  • Banjo Fisher's Hornpipe Single String Style

    Single String Style

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      D
    • Tempo
      105 bpm
    • Tuning
      aDGBD

    So it's not exactly what a fiddler would play, but it's close. Not the easiest arrangement, but it will sound great at whatever speed you play it. Use the slides to shift positions.

    Banjo Fisher's Hornpipe Single String Style
    Learn



Practicing Tips

Unlock the joy of playing 'Fisher's Hornpipe' - an instrumental, old time, medium-tempo bluegrass tune with our comprehensive learning resource. Crafted to bolster your banjo prowess, the resource presents banjo tablatures across Scruggs, Melodic, and Single String Styles, making it a perfect fit for intermediate level players.


The heart of this learning resource is the Tunefox platform and its robust features. One notable feature is 'The Lick Switcher'. This tool allows an expansive exploration of your song by incorporating new lick vocabulary, thereby providing a fresh perspective every time you revisit the tune. Tapping on each measure reveals hidden licks, giving you the chance to personalize your arrangement while learning unique interpretations of the song.


Customize your difficulty level by using the 'Arrange slider'. Moving the slider to the left simplifies your arrangement by removing “fill-in” notes. In contrast, sliding it to the right restores these notes, fleshing out the arrangement to present the full song. Your learning trajectory is, therefore, entirely in your hands.


The tempo slider gives you control over the tempo. This allows you to start slow and gradually increase the tempo as you become comfortable with each segment of the song. Moreover, you can make your learning more enjoyable by playing along with backing tracks. Select specific measures and repeat them as frequently as you need to master them.


The 'Speed Up' function on Tunefox is your friend for elevating your tempo. Start playing at a comfortable speed and let the 'Speed Up' function boost the tempo slightly with each subsequent playthrough, thereby facilitating a stress-free movement towards higher speeds. Tailored to your comfort and needs, this function smoothens your journey of mastering 'Fisher's Hornpipe'.


Remember, regular practice is the crux of honing your banjo skills and mastering 'Fisher's Hornpipe'. Keep exploring, keep learning and most importantly, keep enjoying!