HPNomad - Posted - 12/04/2015:  03:30:57

Hello all, I've been a devoted listener and fan of the Osborne Brothers ever since I first got into bluegrass music. Sonny Osborne was pretty much my first influence to start picking up the banjo.

Anyway, there is a song I am completely mesmerized by. It's their version of "John Henry Blues" on their albums "The Osborne Brothers: 1956 - 1968 Disc 2"

I've figured out the tuning on the song, it's gCFA#D#

If anyone would be so kind as to write tabs, I would be deeply appreciative.

TLG - Posted - 12/04/2015:  08:30:58

I play the tune but in regular D tuning.
I am interested in learning it the correct way.

Tommy

mmuussiiccaall - Posted - 12/04/2015:  14:08:22

here's what I got so far

John H

HPNomad - Posted - 12/04/2015:  16:30:42

If anyone would like to listen to the recording, you can do it here: soundcloud.com/sonnysvega/03-j...nry-blues

HPNomad - Posted - 12/04/2015:  16:33:47

quote:

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Originally posted by mmuussiiccaall

 

here's what I got so far

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This is exactly what I'm looking for! Thank you.

Jack Baker - Posted - 12/04/2015:  19:25:12

Great song by Sonny. Sounds like he's in Eb and goes to C minor etc...Jack

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Originally posted by NavyBanjo

Edited by - Jack Baker on 12/04/2015 19:25:33

HPNomad - Posted - 12/05/2015:  00:03:40

quote:

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Originally posted by Jack Baker

 

Great song by Sonny. Sounds like he's in Eb and goes to C minor etc...Jack

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Originally posted by NavyBanjo

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I don't think it's Eb, I managed to figure out the tuning from the harmonics he does at the end of the song. It's gCFA#D#

Jack Baker - Posted - 12/05/2015:  05:57:31

banjohangout.org="">↵

 Really?

What key would you put it in?. I haven't yet told you what tuning . I hear the guitar being capoed at the third fret and going from a C chord to an A minor...Jack

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Originally posted by Corey McAmis 

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Originally posted by Jack Baker

 

Great song by Sonny. Sounds like he's in Eb and goes to C minor etc...Jack

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Originally posted by NavyBanjo

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I don't think it's Eb, I managed to figure out the tuning from the harmonics he does at the end of the song. It's gCFA#D#

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Edited by - Jack Baker on 12/05/2015 06:02:51

o2playlikeEarl - Posted - 12/05/2015:  16:32:00

why don't you just ask Sonny on the 'I orderd an Osborn Chief' forum?

Edited by - o2playlikeEarl on 12/05/2015 16:32:33

Jack Baker - Posted - 12/05/2015:  17:22:16

banjohangout.org="">↵

Hi Steve,

Ha! I don't need to ask Sonny what key the song is in....I am asking you is all...Jack

quote:

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Originally posted by o2playlikeEarl

 

why don't you just ask Sonny on the 'I orderd an Osborn Chief' forum?

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Edited by - Jack Baker on 12/05/2015 17:23:53

mmuussiiccaall - Posted - 12/05/2015:  17:51:54

quote:

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Originally posted by o2playlikeEarl

 

why don't you just ask Sonny on the 'I orderd an Osborn Chief' forum?

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No need to, Jack is right!

HPNomad - Posted - 12/14/2015:  18:26:01

Hey all, I got an email back from Sonny on the tuning


"Sorry, I just saw this.
1st to 5th strings.

1st- eflat
2nd-bflat
3rd-f
4th-c
5th-g
Crazy tuning huh? Works for John Henry Blues though. Used it since 1954.
I hope it helps.
s"

Jack Baker - Posted - 12/14/2015:  19:04:24

Correct tuning Corey now let's have the key please ...Jack 

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Originally posted by Corey McAmis



Hey all, I got an email back from Sonny on the tuning





"Sorry, I just saw this.

1st to 5th strings.



1st- eflat

2nd-bflat

3rd-f

4th-c

5th-g

Crazy tuning huh? Works for John Henry Blues though. Used it since 1954.

I hope it helps.

s"

---

HPNomad - Posted - 12/18/2015:  21:51:25

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jack Baker

 

Correct tuning Corey now let's have the key please ...Jack 

---

Originally posted by Corey McAmis



Hey all, I got an email back from Sonny on the tuning





"Sorry, I just saw this.

1st to 5th strings.



1st- eflat

2nd-bflat

3rd-f

4th-c

5th-g

Crazy tuning huh? Works for John Henry Blues though. Used it since 1954.

I hope it helps.

s"

---

 

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Looks like you might be right on this one, I found this.

Sonny Osborne, John Henry Blues ("Bluegrass Instrumentals by the Osborne Brothers"). Fred Geiger has commented to me (15 July 97) that this is the "most radical" Sonny Osborne tuning he's aware of. "The tune is played in the key of Eb and sort of toggles between Eb and its relative minor, Cm. Sonny said he conceived of this tuning in the studio when another tune was needed ('Don't ask me how I thought of it, it just seemed the right thing to do'). The tuning, going up in fourth intervals, is the opposite of fiddle/mandolin tuning, which goes (4th to 1st) downward in fourths, or upward in fifths. The open strings, which Sonny 'chimes' at the end of JHB, spell a 'jazzy'-sounding Eb6 add9 chord (or Eb6/9). The cycle of fifths put to very good use, I'd say."

Jack Baker - Posted - 12/18/2015:  23:34:25

Ha!

Hi Cory, 

I tabbed this out before you were even born...I hope you'll stay with banjo and have fun...Jack  p.s. I've known Sonny even longer as my Brother and I always went to hear him whenever possible...pps. I served in the Navy as a Journalist 2nd Class...E 5 they used to call it. Not sure how enlisted ratings go these days...j.

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Originally posted by Corey McAmis

Edited by - Jack Baker on 12/18/2015 23:37:21

o2playlikeEarl - Posted - 12/23/2015:  05:47:34

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jack Baker

 

banjohangout.org="">↵

Hi Steve,

Ha! I don't need to ask Sonny what key the song is in....I am asking you is all...Jack

quote:

---

Originally posted by o2playlikeEarl

 

why don't you just ask Sonny on the 'I orderd an Osborn Chief' forum?

---

 Shoot I wouldn't have any idea what you'd call it. 

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Jack Baker - Posted - 12/23/2015:  06:28:48

 Here it is explained...Jack   p.s. ya gotta read before you post.

 Sonny Osborne, John Henry Blues ("Bluegrass Instrumentals by the Osborne Brothers"). Fred Geiger has commented to me (15 July 97) that this is the "most radical" Sonny Osborne tuning he's aware of. "The tune is played in the key of Eb and sort of toggles between Eb and its relative minor, Cm. Sonny said he conceived of this tuning in the studio when another tune was needed ('Don't ask me how I thought of it, it just seemed the right thing to do'). The tuning, going up in fourth intervals, is the opposite of fiddle/mandolin tuning, which goes (4th to 1st) downward in fourths, or upward in fifths. The open strings, which Sonny 'chimes' at the end of JHB, spell a 'jazzy'-sounding Eb6 add9 chord (or Eb6/9). The cycle of fifths put to very good use, I'd say."

Originally posted by o2playlikeEarl

 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jack Baker

 

banjohangout.org="">↵

Hi Steve,

Ha! I don't need to ask Sonny what key the song is in....I am asking you is all...Jack

quote:

---

Originally posted by o2playlikeEarl

 

why don't you just ask Sonny on the 'I orderd an Osborn Chief' forum?

---

 Shoot I wouldn't have any idea what you'd call it. 

---

 

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Edited by - Jack Baker on 12/23/2015 06:29:48

Jack Baker - Posted - 12/23/2015:  07:11:29

Ha! The same goes for me...Jack 

Originally posted by Jack Baker

mmuussiiccaall - Posted - 12/23/2015:  08:11:18

I tried to give it a name and here's a chart.

C modal 4th's

janolov - Posted - 12/24/2015:  01:41:58

Isn't that equivalent to f#BEAD (one step higher), that is common in Old Time Music, for example Cumberland Gap in the key of D is often played in f#BEAD.