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Green Fields of America

by Steve Kaufman

This is another killer tune coming out in my upcoming "Kaufman's Favorite Fifty Traditional American Fiddle Tunes for the Mandolin". Big book - big title!

I was playing in Ireland one day at a jam session and they said "give us a tune". So I played this one and they joined in. At the end of the song, a little lassie asked what we call this number and I told them "Green Fields of America". She said in the cutest little accent "oh no…. we call it ' There's A Hole In My Heart Large Enough To Stuff A Turnip In It'". I learned it from Norman Blake as Green Field and leave it up to you what you want to call it.

Watch out for the hammer on triplets. When you practice them, the three notes of the triplet will be hit one time only with the right hand and with a down swing. You go immediately on to the 4th note. It should actually sound like Da da da DA with the DA being the first note of the next measure.

Have fun with this song. Figure out the "hook" to the song. That is the section that makes it outstanding or different from other songs. When you understand the song or hear the "hooks" it makes them a little easier to memorize.

Have fun and be looking for this great song in my four book series "Kaufman's Favorite Fifty Traditional American Fiddle Tunes for the Mandolin" coming out on the Mel Bay Label real soon.

Ciao
Steve Kaufman
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