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Hi - I would love to play this fab tune but the crookedness gets me in a knot. It's the first (of three) parts is the crooked one I think. How should I count it? Ta!
Who is your source for this tune? I don't play it, but the way Art Stamper played it seems pretty regular to me, as did Hiram Stamper (Art's Dad), allowing for some uncertainty from age.
My advice for playing "crooked" tunes is just to listen to (and learn) the phrases, and not worry too much about counting the beats.
If you're playing this one, and you're counting the strong beats, I'd say there's one more beat, so 9. Simple as that.
The A part meter and phrasing follow 2 2, 2 3
Edited by - alaskafiddler on 05/10/2025 15:03:36
There are primarily two unrelated Chinquapin Hunting tunes. One is the Norman Edmonds tune in A. The other is the Hiram / Art Stamper tune in D. (I have the Hiram Stamper recording, but really only listen to the Art Stamper recordings). Cliff Bryan has a nice D version. There is a sleepy lullaby version of the D tune that I have thankfully totally erased from memory.
None of them are really crooked. So none of them are difficult to count. If your version is crooked, I wonder what it is?
Regarding the Norman Edmonds version in A, the way he recorded it is not the way most people play it. I suppose you could say his recording is a little crooked. But the way most people play is not crooked at all.
If you're talking about the A tune, here is a link of how people are more likely to play it:
Very helpful Ernie thanks! Thats dead right and an excellent rendition cheers
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Originally posted by DougDWho is your source for this tune? I don't play it, but the way Art Stamper played it seems pretty regular to me, as did Hiram Stamper (Art's Dad), allowing for some uncertainty from age.
My advice for playing "crooked" tunes is just to listen to (and learn) the phrases, and not worry too much about counting the beats.
I'm sure you're dead right - I wish I'd started earlier!
My favorite version:
by the Chicken Chokers with a great harmonica part.
youtube.com/watch?v=mVVxnc2O91k
If the above link doesn't work, search on YouTube for the Young Fogies and the title of the song. It is irregular, but after playing it for a long time now, it doesn't feel irregular any more. Kind of weird and that hasn't happened to me on other crooked tunes.
Edited by - pmiller510 on 05/11/2025 04:35:09
I play this version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdTtCy-6Bl8
I would count it - (if want to count 4 beats): 1234, 1234, 1234, 1234, 1234, 12... for first part.
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Originally posted by tonyelderI play this version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdTtCy-6Bl8
I would count it - (if want to count 4 beats): 1234, 1234, 1234, 1234, 1234, 12... for first part.
ooopps... one too many "1234"s 
Thanks Tony!
Tim O'Brien plays a good version too alongside Darrell Anger
I'll check it out thanks!
I want to send my heartfelt thanks to those who've responded to a novice fiddler on this subject - thankyou!
My conclusion is reflected in some of the comments - I've found some helpful videos - John Henderson and Dakota Karper particularly. Have learnt the tune, got it under my fingers a bit and forgot about the 'crookedness" rather than count it. Very enjoyable - thanks everyone.
Can anyone tell me where the version played by Bruce Molsky et. al.comes from? Did the Chicken Chokers invent it? I recognize it as something I've heard at festival jams, but it doesn't seem to have much in common with the older versions mentioned by Ernie.
Just for comparison, here's a recording from the Slippery Hill website of Norman Edmonds playing his version of the the tune: slippery-hill.com/content/chin...n-hunting
hi that's great thanks Doug ??
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Originally posted by DougDJust for comparison, here's a recording from the Slippery Hill website of Norman Edmonds playing his version of the the tune: slippery-hill.com/content/chin...n-hunting
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Originally posted by DougDJust for comparison, here's a recording from the Slippery Hill website of Norman Edmonds playing his version of the the tune: slippery-hill.com/content/chin...n-hunting
To my ears, this is the version they got it from extra beat and all. It's really been altered and smoothed out in the third part in particular and the coarse parts transposed up an octave.
The version that David Bragger taught me and my fellow students 'way back when was, at least rhythmically, straightforward as heck. Sure, the bridge showcases a couple of sycopations, but all in all the tune shuffles along happily at a nicely moderate tempo.
the name is attached to a lot of tunes!
what's the consensus on this version?
Sounds the same. Probably Molsky or festival sourced.
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Originally posted by pete_fiddlewhat's the consensus on this version?
"Open House" "Chinquapin Hunting"
That's Mark Grahm on harmonica; he previous played with the Chicken Chokers, on that previous mentioned recording. He also played with the Hurricane Ridge Runners, IIRC used to play this version live on stage or at dances.
I agree that it is mostly derived from the Norman Edmunds setting/recording, same basic structure and contour; though some notable differences. (esp B part)
Not sure how much can credit Bruce Molskey... though does sound like something that iteration of the Correctones would have played; but seems like others were already playing it that way... probably passed along at festival jamming.
Edited by - alaskafiddler on 05/18/2025 18:34:20
I just said Molsky because he seems to have influenced a lot of fiddlers these days. Had no idea who it how long anyone in the bands have been playing, and agree that festival sharing seems more likely.
Edited by - ChickenMan on 05/18/2025 22:07:22
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