Red Rocking Chair, Part 1

This lesson is part of the course Old-Time Banjo with Bruce Molsky.

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Learn the tunes and techniques of some of the legends of old-time banjo, taught by one of the icons of contemporary old-time music.

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Mississippi Sawyer

Wade Ward’s solo version of the square dance tune “Mississippi Sawyer” is a little different than the way it would be played for a square dance, in that it drops a beat at the end of each part. It’s played in double-D tuning: aDADE, where the fourth string is D, third string is A, second string is D, first string is E, and fifth string is A. Bruce shows you the tuning, gives you advice on getting in tune. Then he starts showing you the first part of “Mississippi Sawyer,” which starts with a D chord shape at the fifth fret and a simple bum-ditty pattern. Bruce walks you through each phrase slowly, giving you lots of chances to play along with him as you learn the tune. You’ll learn a basic version of the A part of “Mississippi Sawyer” in this video.

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Red Rocking Chair

Red Rocking Chair, Part 1

Red Rocking Chair, Part 2: Variations

“Red Rocking Chair” Play-Along Track

Red Rocking Chair, Part 1

“Red Rocking Chair” is a well-known traditional song and is also known as “Sugar Babe,” “Honey Babe,” and “Ain’t Got No Honey Baby, Now.” Dock Boggs recorded an important version in 1927, and Norman Edmonds also recorded an influential version. Bruce plays it in the key of G, in standard G tuning. Bruce walks you through the basic version of “Red Rocking Chair” in this video.

“Red Rocking Chair” Tab (Available to subscribers)

“Red Rocking Chair” Lyrics (Available to subscribers)

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← “Robert’s Serenade” Play-Along Track: Fiddle

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Red Rocking Chair, Part 2: Variations →

Previous Lesson

← “Robert’s Serenade” Play-Along Track: Fiddle

Next Lesson

Red Rocking Chair, Part 2: Variations →

Previous Lesson

← “Robert’s Serenade” Play-Along Track: Fiddle