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Scruggs Corner - Comparisons: Earl Scruggs, Sonny Osborne & J.D. Crowe

Editor's note: this article originally ran in Banjo Newsletter's February 1982 edition. It is re-published here by permission from the author and the Banjo Newsletter.

In 1946 the Earl of Scruggs did "Toy Heart," his first recording in the C tuning. Even though he is picking that "blue" banjo without a tone ring, you know it's him. I thought you would be interested in comparing the versions of Sonny Osborne and J.D. Crowe with Earl's. Sonny's break is quite like Earl's; J.D.'s departs considerably from the "authorized" text and, in measures 11 and 12, moves fairly far uptown.

In Earl's 7th measure, notes 5 and 6, I hear two C notes in a row. He may hook his thumb for the second one, rather than playing the index on the first string. Or you can avoid the problem and play as Sonny does.

You will get J.D.'s syncopated 3rd measure right if you count it in eighths. Pick the first note on one, then the second note on four,  third note on six, fourth note (the slide) on seven, and the last note on eight. In his 6th measure, the last note (in parentheses) is blurred, so I'm guessing.

We venture into deep waters with J.D.'s measure 11 and 12. He does the same sort of thing in back-up throughout the song. I would not bet you a beer that I have those measures right, and I have no apologies; it's catchy stuff, but we don't pick that way in the Flint Hill community. Admire J.D.'s nimble fingers, but avoid such lily-gliding in your own picking. That way lies madness.

Addendum: We have in hand a note from a certain N.C. Phantom maintaining, contrary to Jack Hatfield's contention, that nothing is wrong with the Sally Goodin' measure lines in the Scruggs' book - an opinion with which we concur. A bass player who doesn't know the tonic from the dominant contributes to the confusion on this point.

Editor's Note: Speaking of Sally Goodin' (and Jack Hatfield) I apologize for reversing staffs 2 and 3 in the August 81 BNL. It must have happened when I razor bladed the tab copy to fit the available space when laying it out for the printer. Page 16 of that issue; measures 2 and 3 should be reversed.

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