The Old Bog Hole

[Jody Stecher]

A version of The Old Bog Hole is in Kerr's Merry Melodies. A much improved version was recorded by Cape Breton Scottish Fiddler Joe MacLean. 25 years ago or so I recorded a guitar version based on Joe MacLean's setting. The Old Bog Hole began in the mid 19th century  as an American song presenting Irish stereotypes in the lyrics. The verses were printed and the indicated melody was "Old Zip Coon" which is Turkey In The Straw with a bad title. But MacLean's melody is more musical than any of these in my opinion. 

I learned his version note-for-note and transposed it from A to C on the banjo. For those who like to play in A tuning the C fingering will allow you to play along with a fiddler playing in A. 

There are a lot of notes in this reel. I tried a variety of fingerings until I came up with a way of playing in which the left hand is playing mostly from positions instead of being perpetually busy. Paradoxically the simpler the mechanics became the more complicated it looked on paper. At one point my score reminded me of a description I once heard of the notated scores of avant garde pianist Cecil Taylor. It was said that they looked like the plans for air conditioning Macy's ( a huge department store).

I got the appearance to be less cluttered. But just to be sure the score is understood I also created tablature.  So I've got notation, tab, and a banjo recording. No midi this time as the chords should be self-evident.  As usual my banjo playing is good enough to convey the tune but not much more.

[Jody Stecher]

There were errors in both PDFs. I've deleted them and will repost.