Exploring Appalachian Music

One of the great things about moving down to the mountains of western North Carolina is discovering the culture that settled those parts. They call it the Appalachian chain down there, and I had to learn that.

"I mean, I kept saying Appalachian, and finally, after being corrected enough times, I now say Appalachian."

The Heritage of the Region

The people that settled the hills in that region were mainly from Scotland and Ireland. Part of this connection is due to the landscapes resembling Scotland's Highlands.

• The music was carried over to that region and continued for many years.
• Even today, people sing tunes in the mountains that are more pure Scottish tunes than the ones performed in Scotland, as they were isolated from other influences.

In addition to Scottish influences, there's a rich tradition of old-time music in the area. This is where the banjo becomes significant.

The Role of the Banjo

They used to have fiddle and voice, but then they added the banjo, creating old-time music. The banjo was brought over from the slaves, along with their rhythms.

"It was a southern area, so of course there were slaves around. The music from Scotland and Ireland was influenced by the slave music."

This fusion resulted in what we now recognize as old-timey music. When I wrote the song "Smoky Mountain Morning," I was inspired by this blend of Celtic music and the frailing banjo style.

The Sound of the Mountains

Frailing is a technique where playing is done using the thumb and fingers. It intrigues me how similar elements can be found in both blues tunes and Celtic tunes. The Appalachian sound encompasses everything:

• It combines blues and Celtic elements into one cohesive style.
• I'm beginning to immerse myself in this unique flavor.

Let me play a little bit of "Smoky Mountain Morning" for you to illustrate this.

Traditional Melodies and Harmonics

The first part of the song is very traditional sounding, although the chord might not be.

• This section is in a straight minor key.
• When I play, I often mirror the melody using open strings and harmonics.

There are many places on the guitar to find these harmonics. You can even play them by mirroring melodies an octave higher.

"It's kind of fun if you can grab that."

Capturing the Essence of the Tune

The first part feels very relaxed and peaceful.

"There was a bird singing when I wrote the tune, so when I recorded it, I opened the window to capture the sounds of the birds."

It's crucial to give the tune space, allowing moments for breath. I encourage my students to listen more than watch:

• "When you're playing guitar, it's easy to get locked into a mechanical mindset."
• Once you have a tune under your fingers, close your eyes and listen.

This shift in focus allows for a richer connection with the music.

Variations in Playing Style

The second half of this tune features a frailing style. If you play any flat-picking, it resembles country flat-picking:

• The thumb strums the back of the nail.
• The melody is played with the thumb while the bass notes play on the upbeat.

"Occasionally, I'll add a jada, so boom da da."

As you elevate the tempo, this gives a distinct frailing feeling. The repeated notes contribute to the texture, reminiscent of banjo playing.

Bringing It All Together

In the final verse, I switch to a finger-picking style:

• By having one finger down and keeping a string open, you achieve two notes that resonate similarly but with different qualities.
• This creates a strong rhythm combined with droning high strings.

As opposed to Scottish music, which often features low strings, Appalachian music thrives on these unique elements.

"So just try this kind of thing. Take any song you know and just experiment with the melody behind it."

Let the rich heritage of Appalachian music inspire your playing!