Building a Traditional Tune Repertoire

Cluck Old Hen

(Key of A Dorian)

The Tune:

Found in the repertoires of both Old-Time & Bluegrass players, Cluck Old Hen is a relatively simple, repetitive melody, with the minor sound of the Dorian Mode. It can also be played as a song, with the addition of lyrics which come in many different, often amusing versions.

Techniques:

• Overview of Tune: This tune is in the Dorian Mode, which has both a flatted seventh (bVII) & a flatted third (biii) note. The main chords in Part A are A major, & in Part B are A minor. Note that the time signature is 2/4 time, with two 1/4 notes per measure. Most of the notes are 1/4 notes, with very few 1/8 notes.



• Dorian Mode: The Dorian Mode has a flatted seventh note (bVII), like the mixolydian mode, with the addition of the flatted third (biii), producing a minor sound. Thus, though the key signature is A, with 3 sharps (F#, G#, C#), both the G & C are actually played as natural notes, without being sharpened. In this version, the chords change at the beginning of each measure, returning to A major from the G (bVII) in Part A & to A minor from both the C (bIII) & the G (bVII) in Part B, with the addition of a final change from the E (V) in both parts.



• Time Signature: The time signature is 2/4 time, which has only two 1/4 notes per measure (compared to 4/4 time, with four 1/4 notes per measure). This timing ensures that the tune follows the traditional pattern of: two (or more) parts, with each part consisting of 8 measures, which are repeated once, before going on to the next part.



• Pick Strokes: Pick all 1/4 notes with Downstrokes & all paired 1/8 notes with Down/Upstrokes.

Variations:

1. Add Extra Notes: Try adding paired 1/8 notes to replace single 1/4 notes; add chord notes to create a bigger sound; use a Bluesy Slide into the second 1/4 note of each measure at the beginning of Part B; you could also try to experiment with imitating chicken/clucking sounds, like some fiddlers do, by plucking, with your left finger, the first open A strings 1/4 notes (& picking the second) in Measures 10, 13 & 15 (though don't be disappointed if you can't get the same effect!).








2. Low Octave Variation: Try playing the whole tune one octave lower, or vary octaves with each part. Shown here is a simplified version of the tune.





3. Chord Variation: Different chords progressions may be used for this tune, depending on the region, the player, or the mood. Be sure that you are all playing the same version.
   
   

   - Some players will only change to the G chord once in Part A
   

   Part A   ||: A   | A | A | G | A | A   | E | A :||
   Part B   ||: Am| C | Am| G | Am| Am| E | Am :||
   
   

   - Other players will play a minor version of Part A.
   

   Part A   ||: Am| Am| Am| G | Am| Am| E | Am :||
   Part B   ||: Am| C | Am| G | Am| Am| E | Am :||
   
   

4. Lyrics: The Verse is sung to Part A & the Chorus is sung to Part B. One Verse & one Chorus is usually followed by a few instrumental rounds, before once again singing one Verse & a Chorus. An internet search will reveal many alternative verses.

   VERSE:
   My old hen's a good old hen
   She lays eggs for the railroad men.
   Sometimes one, sometimes two
   Sometimes enough for the whole damn crew.
   
   CHORUS:
   Cluck old hen, cluck and sing
   Ain't laid an egg since 'way last spring.
   Cluck old hen, cluck and squall
   Ain't laid an egg since 'way last fall.