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November 2009 Free Flatpicking Lesson
from
Flatpicking Guitar Magazine
"Blackberry Blossom"
Arranged by Mickey Abraham
Hello, and welcome once again to FGM’s free lesson portion of our
monthly e-newsletter. This month I have chosen to share an arrangement
of one of the most popular flatpicking tunes of all time: the iconic and
incomparable “Blackberry Blossom.” This was the first fiddle tune I
ever learned on the guitarNto some, picking this tune is almost like a
right of passage or flatpicking anthem of sorts. Someone would be hard
pressed to claim to be a flatpicker, if they have not dabbled with this
tune.
For this lesson I have
presented two versions of the tune. First, I have arranged a version
that, to me, sticks very close to the traditional melody of the tune.
Next, I feel you will enjoy working on my more complex variations based
mostly on chord arpeggios and crosspicking techniques.
Within my “melody”
version I have offered both the A and B sections in two different
octaves. One thing I would recommend is to turn this into two
completely different versions (even before tackling my variations). The
high register version is a little less common but, to me, actually
portrays the real melody as would be heard by a fiddle or mandolin. My
low register version is slightly more common and is typical of how
flatpicking guitarists have interpreted this tune in the past. This
tune has been played and recorded so many times that I have picked up on
my own certain Blackberry-isms. With a tune this popular, you will
find many versions of the melody. Two guitar recordings of interest
would be Mark O’Connor’s version heard on his famous guitar record
Markology and Tony Rice’s version heard on Manzanita.
If you are up for a
challenge that can be met, then my “Blackberry Blossom” variations are
for you! I purposely composed this version to feel like an exercise.
This way, you can take the ideas that you like and plug them into the
melody. In some ways, I am not expecting these variations to be a
completed version of the tune. I would be more proud if you were to
steal some of the cooler ideas and insert them into your own playing. I
particularly enjoy the descending Em phrase heard in the second half of
the B section. You may, of course, learn the variation in its entirety
as well.
If you have been keeping
up with all my past lessons, you will note that I am a big fan of “less
is more” and leaving space when it comes to music. This variation of
“Blackberry Blossom” is the exact opposite of that Ð it is nothing but
non-stop eighth notes. To make this version sound more musical and less
exercise like, attempt to leave certain notes out. Beginning phrases
on the second note of each measure on an upstroke can sound very cool.
Leaving out certain notes in the eighth-note runs (keeping your picking
strokes correct) will turn straight eighth notes into more sophisticated
phrases.
You will no doubt run
across this tune in flatpicking circles. It is a legend of a melody and
shows no signs of slowing down. If this tune is not in your repertoire
than get working, if you already have a version of this tune then the
variations would be the perfect place to begin. As always, feel free to
drop me a line at [email protected] with any questions, comments,
or concerns on this e-lesson, past e-lessons, or if you any ideas you’d
like to see featured hear in the future. Happy Holidays!
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