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Fingerstyle Banjo Song of the Week: “Walking Cane”

May 28, 2018 by admin 2 Comments

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I must confess to knowing little of the history of this week’s song until very recently, despite the fact that I’ve known it for a bit.

A little background research revealed a fascinating backstory.

“Walking Cane” was written by Jimmy Bland, an African American musician and songwriter.

And a minstrel performer. Not just any old minstrel performer, mind you, but one often referred to as “The World’s Greatest Minstrel Man.”

And not just any old songwriter either, but the author of over 600 works (including “Carry Me Back to Old Virginny” and “Golden Slippers”).

I’d encourage to check out Bland’s biography on Wikipedia – though, if you’re like me, it’ll probably leave you wanting much more!

Prior to this research, I had no idea that the song was this old. It sounds like it could’ve easily been written in this decade, not two centuries ago.

Not entirely sure what the magic sauce is that makes a tune timeless, but this one surely has it.

And here is the clawhammer version for this song, which not surprisingly creates a slightly more dance-able rendition (click here if you’d like to view the tab for it, too).

Walking Cane – clawhammer banjo version


(RELATED: If you’d like to learn 2 and 3 finger style banjo, click here to check out the Brainjo course for Fingerstyle Banjo).


Hand Me Down My Walking Cane

gDGBD tuning, 3 finger banjo (Brainjo level 3)

walking cane fingerstyle banjo tab part 1

walking cane fingerstyle banjo tab part 2

 

 

Notes on the Tab

In this arrangement, I’ve tabbed out the part I play in the banjo “solo,” as well as the vocal backup I play on the banjo while singing.

For more on how to read the tab, click here for the How To Read Banjo Tabs article.

Recent Banjo Songs and Tabs of the Week:

  • Feast Here Tonight
  • East Tennessee Blues
  • Pretty Polly
  • Home Sweet Home
  • The Miller’s Will
Learn about the BREAKTHROUGH BANJO course

 

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Comments

  1. Thomas Ostine Peavy says

    May 29, 2018 at 2:42 am

    Love the tutorials. Easy to follow and understand and a help to my rudimentary playing. Thanks for the assistance.

    Reply
  2. Jim Horn says

    June 13, 2018 at 1:42 am

    Love your picks,, thanks,,, do you have any bluegrass gospel?

    Reply

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