Transcribed and edited by one of Herman Johnson's former students, this book offers 39 solos in the inimitable smooth, precise, and innovative Johnson style. Inspired in his youth by Bob Wills of the Texas Playboys, Johnson learned tunes by listening to records and the radio. At 16, he successfully auditioned to play in Wills' band, but was then too young to join the musicians union. Johnson went on to a distinguished career as a performer and contest fiddler, winning the National Fiddling Championship in Weiser, Idaho five times, the only player to reign undefeated each year he entered the contest. He also won the Grand Masters Championship in Nashville. Many of the intermediate to advanced-level selections in this collection were drawn from Johnson's 1993 recording, Simply Perfect.  Includes access to online audio.     

 

Transcriptions from “Simply Perfect” recording made in 1993

Sally Johnson      

Dreamers' Waltz        

Herman's Rag        

Jack Of Diamonds        

Morning Star Waltz        

Fiddlin' Around      

Tugboat  

Gardenia Waltz       Johnny Gimble

I Don't Love Nobody        

Billy In The Low Ground      

Sweet Memories Waltz       Byron Berline      

Little Bit Of Swing      

Other Transcriptions:

Ace Of Spades        
Apple Blossom      
Blue Flame      
Brilliancy      
Cold Rolled Steel      
Dew Drop Hornpipe        
Don't Let The Deal Go Down      
Drowsy Water's Waltz      
Dusty Miller      
Dusty's Hornpipe       Kenny Baker
Fifty Year Ago Waltz      
Fort Worth Rag        
Forty Nine Cats In A Rain Barrel        
Grey Eagle      
Hell Amongst The Yearlings - Trouble In The Cow Pen
Just An Old Rag In G      
Kansas City Rag        
Kickapoo Road      
Old South Waltz      
Peaches And Honey      
Prosperity Special      
Say Old Man      
Soppin' The Gravy      
Waltz With Me      
Waynesboro Reel      
Wild John      
Yellow Rose Waltz