Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/301345
schlange - Posted - 03/24/2015: 10:39:45
This week's tune is a classic from the banjo great Doug Dillard. Even non-musicians are familiar with Doug's picking on this tune, thanks to his presence on "The Andy Griffith Show" where his band (The Dillards) appeared as "The Darlings." (See video below).
This is an instrumental that features the banjo. If you want a "show off song" look no further--but be warned it ain't easy to pick at speed, either.
According to Wikia.com Doug wrote this song between takes on the set of "The Andy Griffith Show". Andy Griffith named it "Doug's Tune" and suggested using it on the show.
This tune has a similar sound to the popular tune Beaumont Rag, which was written in the early 1900's.
Typically played in A, G, or Bb.
Learn the Tune:
- Hear it using the GrooveShark playlist to the right.
- We have a lesson video from Casey Henry teaching you Doug's breaks for this tune. Only $6 thru 3/31! Get it here >
- Backing Tracks: Band in a Box tracks are included below at various speeds for your practicing pleasure.
- Tabs: bunch of tabs for this tune in the tab archive.
Share!
I (and others) would love to hear (and see!) you play your version of this tune--post it in a reply below!
bhniko - Posted - 03/24/2015: 13:57:22
What a great 'pick me up' tune. And the pickin...mighty fine.
thebanjobert - Posted - 03/24/2015: 16:18:47
I'm sure you'll get some folks participating who will smoke my version, but here it is nonetheless!
chuckv97 - Posted - 03/24/2015: 16:25:18
Nice job, Terry.
thebanjobert - Posted - 03/24/2015: 16:27:22
Thank you kindly, Chuck!
Jack Baker - Posted - 03/24/2015: 19:35:41
The recording that Eric posted of Doug Dillard on the Dillard's first Elektra LP is incredible. Doug played so hard and clean...Jack
Edited by - Jack Baker on 03/24/2015 19:38:52
chuckv97 - Posted - 03/24/2015: 19:46:03
Does anybody remember a Doug Dillard solo album (I can't remember the title) from the early to mid '70's , where I think he called this "My Grass Is Blue" (?). It also had "The Bells of St. Mary's" on it,,can't recall any others - maybe "Sittin' On Top Of The World".
chuckv97 - Posted - 03/24/2015: 19:54:03
Aha , I found it.
Jack Baker - Posted - 03/25/2015: 13:20:10
Hi Eric,
This one's for Doug. I got to meet him several times. Great and fun man he was and always a smile...Would you mind locking this one in to the archives so I don't accidently delete it?....Jack
Doug's Tune
Edited by - Jack Baker on 03/25/2015 13:21:06
Jack Baker - Posted - 03/26/2015: 21:33:53
I changed something with regards to advertising and "poof" it was gone but now here to stay...Jack
Doug's Tune
Edited by - Jack Baker on 03/26/2015 21:34:39
navek55 - Posted - 03/28/2015: 10:07:05
Thanks a lot for putting this in the archive Jack. Great piece of tabbing for a great tune!
Although I'm in London, I was lucky to meet Doug twice; once in the 70s at Wembley Arena and again in 1998 when The Dillards played the Cambridge Folk Festival. Doug ended up at my tent and we had a whole night picking, swapping banjos and yarning. Doug's Tune was covered more than once I'm sure, along with his double-time reprise in it.
In every picture that was taken, Doug has that huge grin. A great man and I think of him every time I'm playing.
Kevan
PKM - Posted - 03/28/2015: 19:16:56
Interesting to me in watching the Andy Griffith video is that Doug plays this very nice segment at marker 0:37 thru 0:43 that you rarely hear included in other recordings. Doug is playing up around the the 7th and 9th frets. When I play it, I include a close facsimile but probably isn't spot on.... yet.
Thank you for posting this tune Eric
BanjerKen - Posted - 03/29/2015: 09:46:06
I wanted to learn the guitar kickoff to Doug's Tune and there it was in Jack Bakers tab. Thanks Jack
Jim Pankey - Posted - 03/29/2015: 14:27:44
quote:
Originally posted by Miche-banj-elo
Interesting to me in watching the Andy Griffith video is that Doug plays this very nice segment at marker 0:37 thru 0:43 that you rarely hear included in other recordings. Doug is playing up around the the 7th and 9th frets. When I play it, I include a close facsimile but probably isn't spot on.... yet.
Thank you for posting this tune Eric
That's the part that I teach in the above video that Eric shared.
MickG - Posted - 03/29/2015: 15:20:22
Here is a transcription of the way Doug Dillard played it on the Andy Griffith show.
Tab
Audio(Tab generated)
MickG
Jack Baker - Posted - 03/29/2015: 15:37:53
Dead on Mick as always--Great!...Jack
Originally posted by MickG
Here is a transcription of the way Doug Dillard played it on the Andy Griffith show.
Tab
Audio(Tab generated)
MickG
Edited by - Jack Baker on 03/29/2015 15:43:26
mmuussiiccaall - Posted - 03/29/2015: 15:58:45
Seems like they sped the song up to Bb from the original A on the Andy Griffith Show, any comments?
Jack Baker - Posted - 03/29/2015: 16:03:44
Ha! You just can't count on these bluegrassers to keep anything the same--especially the Dillards 
...Actually, a different time period, different recording...who knows? p.s. tuned to the Jug?
Originally posted by mmuussiiccaall
Seems like they sped the song up to Bb from the original A on the Andy Griffith Show, any comments?
Edited by - Jack Baker on 03/29/2015 16:07:11
BrenW - Posted - 03/30/2015: 05:13:26
Hey, I just want to thank BHO and Casey for these weekly tunes. I'm a pretty new player, I got far enough on learning the banjo from a great teacher that I can now learn on my own, but I still need someone like Casey to walk me through it. It's been just perfect for me. It often takes me more than a week to master a new song, so I don't learn them all, but this ToTW system is pretty much my new teacher.
banjoV - Posted - 03/30/2015: 09:28:21
I also appreciate these TOTW (BG) posts. Thanks to all who contribute.
ironhead - Posted - 04/02/2015: 15:39:08
Thanks to Eric and all who help with TOTW! Jim Pankey, you're a rock star with all your helpful videos and tutorials. Always enjoy your helpful instruction!!! Thanks again!!! Brian M
60spicker - Posted - 04/03/2015: 07:03:38
Here's my brother Jim on guitar and me on the banjo over 40 years ago. I always loved Doug's Tune.
KidfromDeliverance - Posted - 04/03/2015: 11:57:46
I must admit I haven't played this one in quite a while; I prefer working on songs that are more likely to come up in a jam, which has been a weak point for me. But it's good to remember how great this tune is - and besides, sometimes people want the banjo player to do a "banjo tune" for them (not necessarily to play along with, just to listen) and this one sure fits the bill.
Patrick
Jack Baker - Posted - 04/04/2015: 09:55:55
Hi Bart,
Yes, it is somewhat similar to the Hamilton Rag although I'd never confuse the two as Doug's Tune has a completely different feel to my ears and the chord changes are not really the same either...Jack p.s. doesn't Hamilton Rag have a minor chord in it? Doug's tune does not...funny how we hear things differently in banjo tunes...
Originally posted by Bart Veerman
Don Reno recorded it as Black & White Rag in the key of C. Check out the Hamilton Rag on this page in the key of G, it'll give you some ideas on how to add some of Don Reno's flavour into this great tune.
Edited by - Jack Baker on 04/04/2015 10:09:59
