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columnHeader Over the next few columns I thought we would explore some of Don Reno’s musical roots to give you an idea of how he developed the style we love so much. So let’s start at the very beginning. Don was influenced by many different kinds of music but one of his biggest and first influences was old-time fiddle music. Tunes like Golden Slippers, Fisher’s Hornpipe, Grey Eagle, Liberty, Arkansas Traveler etc. were some of the first tunes Don heard as a kid. Don developed a real passion for fiddle tunes; he said he used to hound old fiddle players to death trying to learn those old tunes. I can just picture a young Don sitting on his front porch picking out these tunes for the first time on his homemade banjo. I’m sure he had no idea that he would grow up to become a banjo legend.

jasonPhotoIt was actually these old fiddle tunes that inspired Don to develop his famous single-string technique. A lot of Don’s signature single-string runs were taken directly from the melody lines of those old tunes. Don said it was difficult to play the exact melodies of these tunes using a three-finger roll so he started picking the melodies out on the banjo like he did on the guitar. And the rest is banjo history!

So for this month’s tune we’ll be learning Golden Slippers. Don never recorded Golden Slippers but I’m sure he played it many, many times at those oldtime barn dances. It’s played in the key of “D,” or what I call “the key of Reno.” Don loved the key of “D.” And I understand why, because his special techniques are a natural fit for “D,” and which we’ll be using for Golden Slippers. This version starts out of the barred “D” position at the 7th fret. It helps if you use your 1st finger to barr the 7th fret during the beginning. There is actually very little rolling during the tune. Even though most of the tune is single-string, I think the thumb brush work is what really makes this version stand out. Remember to mute the bridge with the back of your hand when thumb brushing!

I hope you will enjoy my Reno style version of Golden Slippers. It’s an oldie but goodie! Next time we’ll explore one of Don’s most significant influences, Arthur “Guitar Boogie” Smith. Until then…Keep Pickin’ Reno!

Key of D, G tuning. Tab by Jason Skinner

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