Level: 2/3
Tuning: Standard

Dave Van Ronk originally heard "Spike Driver's Moan" on the Harry Smith Anthology of American Folk Music. The recording was from 1928 and featured Mississippi John Hurt. The tune is played completely around a first position G chord. An alternating bass is used throughout the arrangement. Mississippi John's playing is somewhat easy but Dave took John's playing and added the "Van Ronk Touch." The first thing he did was reversed the picking pattern. So instead of alternating from the sixth to fourth, Dave alternates from the fourth to sixth. This allowed him to add a moving bass figure, very much like that used in Rev. Gary Davis's "Candyman." Coordinating these elements will be your challenge.