With its roots in late 19th-century work songs popular with prison, railroading, and logging crews, “Nine Pound Hammer” is a staple of the folk, blues, and bluegrass repertories, and has well over 150 recorded versions by the likes of Merle Travis, Doc Watson, and Chris Thile with Billy Strings. Bill Monroe, who first recorded a version titled “Nine Pound Hammer Is Too Heavy” with his brother Charlie in 1936, released the classic bluegrass setting in the key of C with the Blue Grass Boys on 1962’s Bluegrass Ramble. In this lesson, Sharon you teaches a basic version in the key of A, and then adds embellishments and variations. You’ll learn the verse in this video.
