{"id":1910,"date":"2019-02-03T12:42:49","date_gmt":"2019-02-03T18:42:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplymandolin.com\/?p=1910"},"modified":"2023-01-27T15:30:42","modified_gmt":"2023-01-27T21:30:42","slug":"bill-cheatham","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplymandolin.com\/flekd\/bill-cheatham\/","title":{"rendered":"Bill Cheatham"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Watercolor by Jani Freimann<\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Bill Cheatham<\/strong> is another popular old-time fiddle tune<\/strong>. Many well-known musicians have recorded this simple little melody, and it has always been a common and ‘often learned’<\/strong> bluegrass session tune.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finding information on its origin was pretty much futile, at least in the time I spent scouring the internet. I was able to find a couple of old recordings from the late 1800’s, but no composer – and not a bit of info on who Bill Cheatham might have been.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, the tune has survived, and remained popular for over a hundred years, like thousands of other traditional old melodies. It isn’t a difficult tune to play, and well worth the effort to learn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Newsletter<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The Tune<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Bill Cheatham is most often played in the Key of A<\/strong>. The ‘A-part’ is usually played twice followed by the ‘B-part’ (also twice).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ve written a basic version below that everyone should be able to work with. Following that, I’ve shown a couple of simple little two-bar variations<\/strong>. Nothing complicated, I’ve  just added a couple of notes to demonstrate how we can keep our right hand moving. After learning the arrangement as shown below, try playing the changes. Practice it until you can just pop them in and out whenever you want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both versions are in the downloads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen to “Bill Cheatham<\/strong>” for mandolin (version 1)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bill Cheatham<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Mandolin tablature for version 1 of the tune “Bill Cheatham”.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Downloads:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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*<\/a>Tab & Music<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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*<\/a>Just the Tab<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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*<\/a>Just the Music<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Make<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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If you don’t wish to donate at this time, I totally understand – Enjoy!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Just a note or two…<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Just adding a couple notes here and there can help keep your right hand moving<\/strong>. What notes can you add? To start with, look at the key your tune is in (this tune is in the key of A), and try notes from that scale<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes, just adding a note or two can make a big difference to the flow of your tune<\/strong>, as well as the finger movement of your left hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As an example, in the A-part, take a look at the 6th and 7th measures<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"image<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Try the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We could also make some simple changes to the 12th and 13th measures<\/strong> in the B-part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Try this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Listen to “Bill Cheatham” for mandolin after these easy changes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n