Steve Martin's 'Happy' Banjo tune

22 Nov 04 - 09:15 AM (#1335224)
Subject: Steve Martin's 'Happy' Banjo tune
From: GUEST,Noodles

Can anyone shed some light on the tune Steve Martin uses in his Banjo Routine sketch. He starts with the mystery tune then comments: "Isn't that a happy sound - you just can't play a depressing song when you're playing the banjo". He later breaks into Foggy Mountain at lightning speed, but it's that first simple melody that I'm trying to crack - I've also heard it at the end of another of his sketches after an obligatory "excuuuuuuuse me!" Any clues?

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29 Nov 04 - 10:05 AM (#1342037)
Subject: RE: Steve Martin's 'Happy' Banjo tune
From: GUEST,Noodles

OK I've found it! Your all nodding saying, "Of course it's "Eight More Miles To Louisville" by Granpa Jones. I'm off to find a clean set of tabs now - Unless, that is, any of you guys can recommend the best source.

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29 Nov 04 - 05:26 PM (#1342451)
Subject: RE: Steve Martin's 'Happy' Banjo tune
From: Geoff the Duck

Try some of these :-

                  

Tom Joad's Multimedia Celtic and Old Time Music site ...old, time, banjo, fiddle, accoustic, guitar, clawhammer, molly, hare, folk, music, Appalachian, Celtic, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, English, American, traditional, frailing"
                  

Banjo Hangout - free banjo lessons, tabs, links, and more! Banjo players directory, and instrument reviews.
                  

Mugwumps History
                  

Clawhammer Banjo Instruction Site
                  

Dwight Diller -2001 Clawhammer Banjo Retreat Itinerary
               

Quack!!
Geoff the Duck.

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29 Nov 04 - 06:40 PM (#1342550)
Subject: RE: Steve Martin's 'Happy' Banjo tune
From: Liz the Squeak

Ah.... the only banjo player I'd actually like to......

Ahhhhh hmmmmmmmmmmm

LTS

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29 Nov 04 - 09:24 PM (#1342699)
Subject: RE: Steve Martin's 'Happy' Banjo tune
From: Cluin

Got something against Bela Fleck, LTS?   ;)

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30 Nov 04 - 08:57 AM (#1343128)
Subject: RE: Steve Martin's 'Happy' Banjo tune
From: Dave Hanson

Good technician but no soul.

eric

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30 Nov 04 - 09:46 AM (#1343177)
Subject: RE: Steve Martin's 'Happy' Banjo tune
From: McGrath of Harlow

"you just can't play a depressing song when you're playing the banjo"

Though in fact that's not true. Or at least if "depressing" means "sad" or "melancholy". He can't have listended to too much Irish music.

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01 Dec 04 - 07:24 AM (#1344210)
Subject: RE: Steve Martin's 'Happy' Banjo tune
From: GUEST,Noodles

Blimey! Life out there!
OK, I've tracked down Steve Martin's tabs at this site

www.bluegrassbanjo.org/bluetabs.html

Didn't get much help from the Steve Martin Web site. One woman even thought I wanted to buy a white suit to emulate the maestro! No sense of sarcasum some people. Anyhow, Happy Song now found I need to concentrate on some serious practice to prepare for my world tour - first stop Ireland!

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