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Banjo tablatures for Red Haired Boy

Traditional

Recomended level: Intermediate

Tags: #fiddle tune, #irish music, #medium-tempo, #celtic

‘Red Haired Child ' is the English translation of the Gaelic name 'Giolla Rua' (or 'Gilderoy') and is generally thought to represent a real-life thief or bandit. However, Baring-Gould points out that in Scotland the term 'Beggar' is also identified with King James V. The song was quite popular under the Gaelic title ' The Little Beggarman ' (or ' The Beggarman'). In the tale "The Red Haired Child" uilleann piper Donnchadh Ó Sé from Lóthar, one of the finest pipers in the parish of Priory. Donnchadh obediently reached for his pipes, and soon found that the brute was unaware of the music and was able to please him with "An Giolla Rua" Breathnach, The Person, and His Music, 1997. A similarly titled track, "Beggar's Meal Poke's," was written by James VI of Scotland (who in the course became James then I of England), an ascription frequently mistaken with his predecessor James I, who was the reputed writer of the verses of a song called "The Jolly Beggar." The melody is published as "An Maidrin Ruadh" (The Little Red Fox) in Bunting's 1840A Ancient Music Collection of Ireland.

  • Banjo Red Haired Boy Scruggs Style

    Scruggs Style

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

    This arrangement of Red Haired Boy uses hammer-ons and pull-offs to grab melody notes that are easier to play using melodic style.

    Banjo Red Haired Boy Scruggs Style
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  • Banjo Red Haired Boy Melodic Style

    Melodic Style

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

    This tune is often a guitar players first flat picking song, and this version of Red Haired Boy is based on Tony Rice's playing.

    Banjo Red Haired Boy Melodic Style
    Learn
  • Banjo Red Haired Boy Backup

    Backup

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

    A simple and forward roll heavy backup version of Red Haired Boy. Imagine you're playing with a fiddle player. It's your job to lay down solid rhythm.

    Banjo Red Haired Boy Backup
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Practicing Tips

Learning Overview: Red Haired Boy is a timeless bluegrass standard, imbued with the rich history of Irish music. At a medium tempo, this fiddle tune caters to intermediate learners. We present banjo tablatures in the Scruggs, Melodic, and Backup Styles. This learning resource facilitates a comprehensive understanding of the song's structure, offering variations in the arrangement.


Practice Tips: Capitalize on the virtues of the Tunefox platform to enrich your learning experience. One such tool is the Lick Switcher. It helps learners add new licks, granting them the ability to see the song in a different light. Tap on the measure to reveal hidden licks and adapt an arrangement of your preference. This can deepen your understanding of the song and broaden your interpretative prowess.


The Arrange slider is another useful tool for adjusting the difficulty level. If you prefer a simpler version, slide to the left to remove fill-in notes, leaving a basic arrangement in the tablature. However, sliding to the right will add extra notes for a fuller sound. This feature promotes personalized learning, enabling you to practice at your comfort level.


Tempo regulation is a key to effective learning. Utilize the tempo slider for practice at different speeds. Playing along with backing tracks is not just enjoyable, but also pivotal to grasping the bluegrass style. Pick the measures you want to emphasize and repeat them. The 'Speed Up' function helps master the song by gradually increasing the tempo each time you replay it. Start slow, and seek incremental challenges to reach higher speeds.


Inclusive of these features, remember that consistency is the secret to mastering any song. Draft a regular practice schedule and stick to it. Every practice session holds the power to reveal something new about a song, stimulating continuous learning. Remember, practice is a journey, not a destination. Enjoy the learning path of the 'Red Haired Boy'.