Topic: List of most popular or best bluegrass tunes

Hola` and bueno!  I'm looking for a list of some of the most popular or best (and maybe even easiest to learn) bluegrass tunes for acoustic guitar.  I recently went to the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas and it was amazing.  Not sure how many people were there (thousands), but everyone had an instrument and you could just wander up to any camp (pretty much) and join in the jam session.  SO, I'm trying to get a list of songs to get down before next year.  Any help would be greatly appreciated! 
Thanks,
theoldparrothead

"Without music, there could be no life."

"Life is too short to be taken so seriously."

Re: List of most popular or best bluegrass tunes

Hi OPH and welcome to Chordie!

I recommend you search Amazon for "Will The Circle Be Unbroken - The Trilogy"

It's a ton of bluegrass at a bargain price. Lot's of old classics there.

Also check out this thread on Bluegrass artists.

http://www.chordie.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=8943

Rule No. 1 - If it sounds good - it is good!

Re: List of most popular or best bluegrass tunes

Will The Circle Be Unbroken
Rank Strangers
Hard Working Pilgrim
I'll Fly Away
Church In The Valley
The Old Rugged Cross

I'm into the "Stained Glass Bluegrass", as the list shows.  I'd recommend the same set as TopDown, but also go onto www.pandora.com and register.  Try the Country/Bluegrass station.  That will give you ideas about all sorts of bluegrass bands you've never heard of, and probably a few that you have. 

When it comes to bluegrass, there are some groups you just cannot go wrong with for starting a collection or for picking songs to learn:

Bill Monroe
Johnson Mountain Boys
New Grass Revival
Earl Scruggs, or any Scruggs family member really
Seldom Scene

If that doesn't get you off to a good start on a Pandora station to hear and bookmark more artists, I don't know what will.  Listen for what turns you on, and then try and learn those songs.  For me to tell you which ones are good to learn is tough (though I tried with the few songs at the top).  But listen and hear what you like, and it'll come together a lot better for you, I expect.

Good luck and have fun.

- Zurf

Granted B chord amnesty by King of the Mutants (Long live the king).
If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome! - Mekidsmom
When in doubt ... hats. - B.G. Dude

Re: List of most popular or best bluegrass tunes

These are some of my most used links -

You can check out the Bluegrass Guitar top ten ( actually more like 100) at http://bluegrassguitar.com/allvotes.php .

You can get a wide range of Bluegrass Tabs and midi files at Alltabs

http://www.alltabs.com/bluegrass_tabs.php?id=A

Finally, if you are into Mandolin you can get TablEdit files ( dots, tabs and ability to hear the tune on one file - you will need to download TablEdit software. ) at Mandozine

http://www.mandozine.com/music/essential/bluegrass.php

"What's so funny 'bout peace, love and understandin' ."    Elvis Costello

Re: List of most popular or best bluegrass tunes

Thank you, thank you, t h a n k   y o u all!  Wow, such a great group of people on here.  I guess I should have figured...."any friend of a guitar is a friend of mine!"

Again, thanks!  I'm looking forward to enjoying the forum!

theoldparrothead

Re: List of most popular or best bluegrass tunes

Here's a list from BluegrassGuitar.com and it's pretty accurate.  Walnut Valley is a blast!!  Clarence
Blackberry Blossom   
327
Whiskey Before Breakfast   
268
Red Haired Boy   
266
Salt Creek   
237
Black Mountain Rag   
229
Wildwood Flower   
224
Soldier's Joy   
201
Foggy Mountain Breakdown   
184
Bill Cheatham   
172
Billy in the Low Ground   
167