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schlange - Posted - 02/07/2014: 14:18:27
This week's tune is the Flatt and Scruggs classic "Down the Road." It was first released in 1958 by Mercury on Flatt and Scruggs' album "Country Music." It's a pretty simple love song with just an "A" part... you play it instrumentally, then you sing a verse, then another instrumental and verse, etc. I've heard groups like David Grisman's add a little chorus section/tag at times as well (it's even in the Bluegrass Fakebook), but I never heard Flatt and Scruggs sing that chorus, so I left it out below.
Lyrics
Now down the road just a mile or two
Lives a little girl named Pearly Blue
About so high and her hair is brown
The prettiest thing boys in this town
Now anytime you want to know
Where I'm going, down the road
Get my girl on the line
You'll find me there most any old time
Now every day and Sunday too
I go to see my Pearly Blue
Before you hear that rooster crow
You'll see me headed down the road
Now old man Flatt he owned the farm
From the hog lot to the barn
From the barn to the rail
He made his living by carryin' the mail
Now every time I get the blues
I walk the soles right off my shoes
I don't know why I love her so
That gal of mine lives down the road
Learn the Tune
- Casey Henry's Murphy Method lesson is available for $6 through 2/15/14. It's over 23 minutes long and includes two breaks, a low one and a high one! Get it here >
- I've included a Grooveshark playlist of several versions--let me know if you find that useful!
- BIAB backing tracks included below. I've included "woodshedding" tracks as well, which start at 70BPM then increase in 5BPM increments all the way up to 110. Let me know if you find that useful.
- We have several decent tabs in the archives, but here's a really nice one recently posted by Rick Van Patten that is a complete tab for Earl's 1949 Mercury recording (key of B) and another good one from Jack Baker (key of G).
- Several very nice versions uploaded by members in the MP3 archives.
- Jim Penson's lesson video below is a good one for learning the tune as well--his approach to learning the tune is refreshingly different (in my opinion) than the classic "play it just like Earl" approach.
RioStat - Posted - 02/07/2014: 19:33:55
This is a great tune for TOTW!
Just like "Cripple Creek", if you learn this tune Scruggs-style, you will be learning a lot of licks and banjo "phrases" that can be used in many other songs.
This tune, with a basic Bluegrass chord progression, is a good tune to practice your improvisational skills.
Plus you get to work on the dreaded 2-3-2 hammer-on / pull-off !
Thanks, Eric, this TOTW that you've started is a big hit as far as I'm concerned.
- - Posted - 02/08/2014: 22:44:43
That video of Tyminski with the McCourys is hilarious. Love that "new verse".....I wonder if that was impromptu?
Beardog - Posted - 02/09/2014: 10:41:51
I love these new TOTW's. Even if one plays many of the tunes, it is a great review, and a good place to view different versions, performances, etc. Many thanks for the hard work!
SmokinJoe - Posted - 02/10/2014: 17:44:42
Eric...Love the Grooveshark!!! Very handy to have multiple recordings right there! Thanks!!
Matthew Reis - Posted - 02/11/2014: 05:59:50
This is one of my favorite Flatt & Scruggs tunes!
tomberghan - Posted - 02/13/2014: 16:45:45
I'll throw in my arrangement 
Edited by - tomberghan on 02/13/2014 16:48:19
mikejboulder - Posted - 02/17/2014: 10:37:17
Hi and I hope this is not too dumb of a question but I am stuck on a section of this song. I downloaded Casey Henry's tune and also the tab referenced above from Rick Van Patten. My question is when tab'ing out the version from Casey from measure 6 there is a pair of 2-> slides followed by a measure of 3->2 pull off then a measure of two 2->3 Hammer on's + a 3->2 pull off and some other stuff. I have included an attachment of how I tab'ed this out. My tab results in more than a measure and the way Casey is talking about this in sections it seemed like it should be a single measure.
I then had a look at Ricks tab and I see the same notes all crammed into a single measure but surrounded by two vertical bars. Same notes but crammed into a single measure and from my counting too many notes for a 4/4 measure. Can some one educate me on what is happening in this measure and how to capture it correctly in tab? What do the two vertical bars represent?
Thanks and by the way I love the TOW. I look forward to it and I really appreciate Casey's break on her tutorials for BHO members!!
Confused and amused in Colorado.
schlange - Posted - 02/17/2014: 10:41:51
Not sure on this one, since I'm away from my banjo for a few days travelling and I just learned this from Casey's video (didn't use tab). My solution is to hear her play it (and listen to other recordings) then just try to match that. As Pete Wernick says, "make it danceable!" If you can keep tapping your foot to a 4/4 rhythm you're most of the way there.
This is the funky part of the song, timing wise!
Jack Baker - Posted - 02/17/2014: 10:53:03
Eric,
If you like, I can help your TOTW by adding a tab and its link here, just let me know. That trademark double hammer/pull of is tricky but I can make notes in the tab...Jack p.s. just ask and I will grant you your wish--not everyone is as quick as you are without some tab help 
j.
quote:
Originally posted by schlange
Not sure on this one, since I'm away from my banjo for a few days travelling and I just learned this from Casey's video (didn't use tab). My solution is to hear her play it (and listen to other recordings) then just try to match that. As Pete Wernick says, "make it danceable!" If you can keep tapping your foot to a 4/4 rhythm you're most of the way there.
This is the funky part of the song, timing wise!
Edited by - Jack Baker on 02/17/2014 10:59:52
caseyhenry - Posted - 02/17/2014: 11:05:52
quote:
Originally posted by mikejboulder
Hi and I hope this is not too dumb of a question but I am stuck on a section of this song. I downloaded Casey Henry's tune and also the tab referenced above from Rick Van Patten. My question is when tab'ing out the version from Casey from measure 6 there is a pair of 2-> slides followed by a measure of 3->2 pull off then a measure of two 2->3 Hammer on's + a 3->2 pull off and some other stuff. I have included an attachment of how I tab'ed this out. My tab results in more than a measure and the way Casey is talking about this in sections it seemed like it should be a single measure.
I then had a look at Ricks tab and I see the same notes all crammed into a single measure but surrounded by two vertical bars. Same notes but crammed into a single measure and from my counting too many notes for a 4/4 measure. Can some one educate me on what is happening in this measure and how to capture it correctly in tab? What do the two vertical bars represent?
Thanks and by the way I love the TOW. I look forward to it and I really appreciate Casey's break on her tutorials for BHO members!!
Confused and amused in Colorado.
Hi MIke,
Both of these examples will sound exactly the same when you play them, so whether there is a bar line in the middle or not is irrelevant in some ways. They're both correct. One is written with two beats to the measure. One is written with four beats to the measure. Doesn't matter how it looks on the page. All that matters is how it sounds when you play it!
Casey
Jack Baker - Posted - 02/17/2014: 11:17:50
Hi Casey,
Rick's tab is notated incorrectly to my counting. The song is tabbed in 4/4 and there should only be 4 beats in that measure, not 6...Jack Baker
quote:
Originally posted by caseyhenry
quote:
Originally posted by mikejboulder
Hi and I hope this is not too dumb of a question but I am stuck on a section of this song. I downloaded Casey Henry's tune and also the tab referenced above from Rick Van Patten. My question is when tab'ing out the version from Casey from measure 6 there is a pair of 2-> slides followed by a measure of 3->2 pull off then a measure of two 2->3 Hammer on's + a 3->2 pull off and some other stuff. I have included an attachment of how I tab'ed this out. My tab results in more than a measure and the way Casey is talking about this in sections it seemed like it should be a single measure.
I then had a look at Ricks tab and I see the same notes all crammed into a single measure but surrounded by two vertical bars. Same notes but crammed into a single measure and from my counting too many notes for a 4/4 measure. Can some one educate me on what is happening in this measure and how to capture it correctly in tab? What do the two vertical bars represent?
Thanks and by the way I love the TOW. I look forward to it and I really appreciate Casey's break on her tutorials for BHO members!!
Confused and amused in Colorado.
Hi MIke,
Both of these examples will sound exactly the same when you play them, so whether there is a bar line in the middle or not is irrelevant in some ways. They're both correct. One is written with two beats to the measure. One is written with four beats to the measure. Doesn't matter how it looks on the page. All that matters is how it sounds when you play it!
Casey
Edited by - Jack Baker on 02/17/2014 11:21:05
caseyhenry - Posted - 02/17/2014: 11:21:28
Of course you are right. This is why I don't use tab!! :)
quote
:
Originally posted by Jack Baker
Hi
Casey,
Rick's tab is notated incorrectly to my counting. The song is tabbed in 4/4 and there should only be 4 beats in that measure, not 6...Jack Baker
quote:
Originally posted by caseyhenry
quote:
Originally posted by mikejboulder
Hi and I hope this is not too dumb of a question but I am stuck on a section of this song. I downloaded Casey Henry's tune and also the tab referenced above from Rick Van Patten. My question is when tab'ing out the version from Casey from measure 6 there is a pair of 2-> slides followed by a measure of 3->2 pull off then a measure of two 2->3 Hammer on's + a 3->2 pull off and some other stuff. I have included an attachment of how I tab'ed this out. My tab results in more than a measure and the way Casey is talking about this in sections it seemed like it should be a single measure.
I then had a look at Ricks tab and I see the same notes all crammed into a single measure but surrounded by two vertical bars. Same notes but crammed into a single measure and from my counting too many notes for a 4/4 measure. Can some one educate me on what is happening in this measure and how to capture it correctly in tab? What do the two vertical bars represent?
Thanks and by the way I love the TOW. I look forward to it and I really appreciate Casey's break on her tutorials for BHO members!!
Confused and amused in Colorado.
Hi MIke,
Both of these examples will sound exactly the same when you play them, so whether there is a bar line in the middle or not is irrelevant in some ways. They're both correct. One is written with two beats to the measure. One is written with four beats to the measure. Doesn't matter how it looks on the page. All that matters is how it sounds when you play it!
Casey
schlange - Posted - 02/17/2014: 11:21:45
quote:
Originally posted by Jack Baker
Eric
,
If you like, I can help your TOTW by adding a tab and its link here, just let me know. That trademark double hammer/pull of is tricky but I can make notes in the tab...Jack p.s. just ask and I will grant you your wish--not everyone is as quick as you are without some tab help j.
quote:
Originally posted by schlange
Not sure on this one, since I'm away from my banjo for a few days travelling and I just learned this from Casey's video (didn't use tab). My solution is to hear her play it (and listen to other recordings) then just try to match that. As Pete Wernick says, "make it danceable!" If you can keep tapping your foot to a 4/4 rhythm you're most of the way there.
This is the funky part of the song, timing wise!
Hi Jack,
If you want to provide a tab that would be great. Would you be interested in providing tabs for future TOTW? Might be nice to have someone provide a reliable, quality tab for each tune.
Jack Baker - Posted - 02/17/2014: 11:24:24
Hi Casey,
Thank you for your reply. Whether you personally use or don't use tab is irrelevant to my post in my opinion as people can mis-use tablature as well as watching a video and not being able to interpret it for whatever reason. Your way is fabulous also...Jack
quote:
Originally posted by caseyhenry
Of course you are right. This is why I don't use tab!! :)
quote
Edited by - Jack Baker on 02/17/2014 11:34:18
Jack Baker - Posted - 02/17/2014: 11:28:59
Hi Eric,
I grew up in a family of 16 so pitching in to help BHO is great for me...Just let me know and I'll do my best to help...Jack
Originally posted by schlange
mikejboulder - Posted - 02/17/2014: 12:03:05
All, first of all thank you all for your comments to my not so dumb question. I totally get it. Play it like it sounds and use the tab for reference (no matter how many measures it takes!) when I can't get on line for the video.
Casey, again thank you for what you do and the reduced price on these offerings.
Eric, if you ever need any help with anything on the BHO please let me know. I have skills - sometimes just not banjo related!.
Cheers,
Mike
Jack Baker - Posted - 02/17/2014: 12:32:47
Here's the song and be sure to count measure 8 slowly with Tabledit as it's tricky as Eric said. Earl plays several variations on youtubes that have been posted of Earl playing this tune and they're all great...Jack p.s. using Casey's Video will be very helpful as your primary learning method.
Down The Road Earl Scruggs
Osrigsinally posted by schlange
quote:
Originally posted by Jack Baker
Edited by - Jack Baker on 02/17/2014 12:41:24
Jack Baker - Posted - 02/17/2014: 14:58:15
Hi Mike,
Got your email and thank you very much...glad I could be of help...Jack
