Clawhammer Song of the Week: “Reuben’s Train”

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This week’s installment of the song of the week, Reuben’s Train, is a bonafide “banjo song.” A song tailor made just for our beloved 5-string.

It’s also part of the canon of “train songs,” with a simple and repetitive melodic unit evoking the sound of a steaming locomotive.

That simple structure makes it both easy to remember and get under your fingers. The natural inclination then might be to learn a basic version and call it a day.

But I’d encourage you to sit with it a while. To noodle and experiment. Because these melodically simple songs provide a great canvas for experimenting with rhythmic embellishments.

As a general rule, the more intricate the melody, the less room for rhythmic experimentation. On the other hand, the simpler the melody, the greater room for rhythmic experimentation.

And in this case, for trying to produce your best train imitation on the banjo as well.

I’ve included a few variations you hear in the video in the tab. This includes the frequent use of syncopated skips here – master these and you can mix and match rhythms till the cow’s come home (click here to view the video lesson on syncopated skips).

You’ll often hear Reuben played in “alternate tunings” – Earl Scruggs iconic version is played out of f#DF#AD, for example. But here I’ve stuck with the familiar standard G (gDGBD), tuned down a bit to bring out the deeper tones of the gourd banjo.

Though speculation abounds, the identity of Reuben and his train remains an unsolved mystery.

Reuben’s Train

gDGBD tuning, Brainjo level 3-4

 

Notes on the Tab

In this arrangement, I’ve tabbed out the part I play in the banjo “solo,” as well as the vocal backup I play on the banjo while singing.

Notes in parentheses are “skip” notes – to learn more about skips and syncopated skips, check out my video lesson on the subject.

For more on reading tabs in general, check out this complete guide to reading banjo tabs.

PRIOR SONG OF THE WEEK EPISODES

• Episode 1: “Ain’t Gonna Work Tomorrow”
• Episode 2: “Gumtree Canoe”
• Episode 3: “Crawdad Hole”
• Episode 4: “Oh Susanna”
• Episode 5: “Freight Train”
• Episode 6: “Grandfather’s Clock”
• Episode 7: “Hop High Lulu”
• Episode 8: “Been All Around This World”
• Episode 9: “I’ll Fly Away”
• Episode 10: “Leaving Home”
• Episode 11: “Poor Orphan Child”
• Episode 12: “Mr. Tambourine Man”
• Episode 13: “Swanee River”
• Episode 14: “Big Sciota”
• Episode 15: “Roll In My Sweet Baby’s Arms”
• Episode 16: “Darling Corey”
• Episode 17: “Battle Hymn of the Republic”
• Episode 18: “America the Beautiful”
• Episode 19: “Bury Me Beneath the Willow”
• Episode 20: “Way Out There”
• Episode 21: “New Slang”
• Episode 22: “I Saw the Light”
• Episode 23: “Amazing Grace”
• Episode 24: “Blowin’ in the Wind”
• Episode 25: “Yankee Doodle”
• Episode 26: “Budapest”
• Episode 27: “Wildwood Flower”
• Episode 28: “Paradise”
• Episode 29: “Mountain Dew”
• Episode 30: “Blue Tail Fly”
• Episode 31: “Otto Wood”
• Episode 32: “Down on the Corner”
• Episode 33: “City of New Orleans”
• Episode 34: “Big Rock Candy Mountains”
• Episode 35: “Come to the Bower”
• Episode 36: “Old Kentucky Home”
• Episode 37: “Long Journey Home”
• Episode 38: “Dixie”
• Episode 39: “Hard Times”
• Episode 40: “Corrina Corrina”
• Episode 41: “She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain”
• Episode 42: “Johnson Boys”
• Episode 43: “Bad Moon Rising”

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Level 2 arrangements and video demos for the Tune (and Song!) of the Week tunes are now available as part of the Breakthrough Banjo course.

Click here for a current list of all the clawhammer songs and tunes currently available inside of The Vault