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Banjo tablatures for Freight Train

Traditional

Recomended level: Intermediate

Tags: #blues music, #medium-tempo

Written in the early 20th century, "Freight Train" is an American folk song. The tune was made popular during the 1950s and 1960s American folk revival and British skiffle. Elizabeth Cohen wrote "Freight Train" as a child (sometimes between 1906 and 1912) in Cotten's account in the 1985 BBC series Down Home, influenced by the sight of the trains coming in on the tracks near her home in North Carolina folk singer Peggy Seeger, Cotten was a one-time nanny who brought this song with her to England, where it became popular in folk music circles. It was later misappropriated by English songwriters Paul James and Fred Williams as their work and copyright. British skiffle singer Chas McDevitt, who recorded the song in December 1956, recorded it under their name. With his manager's recommendation (Bill Varley), McDevitt then took Nancy Whiskey to folk-singer and recorded the song with her doing the voice, culminating in a chart success story of McDevitt inspired several of the day's young skiffle bands, including The Quarrymen. The copyright was finally returned to Cotten under the intervention of the powerful Seeger family. Furthermore, it appears miscredited in many outlets. Mike Seeger documented the Elizabeth Cotten performance with guitar album for the folksongs and instruments in late 1957, early 1958, at Cotten's home in Washington, D.C. This song was recorded by Ramblin's Jack Elliott in 1957. The Missing Topic Tapes: Cowes Harbour 1957 is included on the CD.

  • Banjo Freight Train Scruggs Style

    Scruggs Style

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

    Double Trouble! Check out the double stops in measure 4. They are too much fun. Anytime you have a melody with longer note durations, you can add double stops to add interest. You do...

    Banjo Freight Train Scruggs Style
    Learn
  • Banjo Freight Train Melodic Style

    Melodic Style

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

    Written by Elizabeth Cotton, and covered by Doc Watson, Freight Train has great melody and chord changes. Make use of the substitution licks to find new challenges and a new twist on...

    Banjo Freight Train Melodic Style
    Learn
  • Banjo Freight Train Single String Style

    Single String Style

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

    It's ok to play a melody note more than once. You don't have to change notes every time you pick. Sometimes picking the same note with a good rhythm is all you need to bring a good m...

    Banjo Freight Train Single String Style
    Learn



Practicing Tips

Learning Overview
Freight Train is an innovative educational tool that provides learning materials for banjo players, primarily those at the intermediate level. This tool is designed to deliver banjo tabs in three distinct styles -Scruggs, Melodic, Single String. This tool is unique in its content presentation, focusing on a blues music piece, utilizing a medium tempo pace, fully engaging its users. The song Freight Train sets the stage for a rhythmic journey to mastering the bluegrass banjo. Essential to this learning experience are some key features provided by the Tunefox platform.


Tools for Creative Learning
The Lick Switcher and Arrange Slider are innovative tools integral to the learning process. The Lick Switcher, in particular, is a critical feature, enabling learners to add new licks, thereby viewing the song from different perspectives. This tool allows for an array of variations and personalizes the arrangement, fostering new interpretations of the tune. Equivalently important is the Arrange slider, an instrument that lets learners adjust the difficulty level and tone of the song, catering to their unique learning needs and styles.


Practicing Tools
The Freight Train educational tool offers several practice options, including tempo adjustment, backing tracks to play along with, a Speed Up Function, and the ability to hide notes for learning by ear, among others. These features provide a well-rounded practice experience, facilitating comprehensive understanding and mastery of the Freight Train piece.


General Practice Tips
In general, it's advisable to begin slowly when learning a new song. Take the time to familiarize yourself with the rhythm and melody before attempting to increase your speed. Focus on accuracy before tempo, as this will aid in cementing proper techniques and avoiding bad habits. Remember, practice makes perfect and persistence is key in mastering Freight Train.


Freight Train lyrics

Elizabeth Cotton

Freight train, freight train, run so fast
Freight train, freight train, run so fast
please don't tell what train I'm on
So they won't know what route I've gone

When I am dead and in my grave
No more good times here I'll crave
Place the stones at my head and feet
And tell them all that I'm gone to sleep

When I die, lord, bury me deep
Way down on old Chestnut Street
So I can hear old Number Nine
As she comes rolling by

When I die, Lord, bury me deep
Way down on old Chestnut Street
Place the stones at my head and feet
And tell them all that I'm gone to sleep

MAC WISEMAN