@mlongley777 You are correct about the 6th string, but it goes farther than that. The 1st, 5th, and 6th strings are all dropped a whole step. So, if you started with a standard-tuned guitar (EADGBE) this tuning would be, low to high, D, G, D, G, B, D. If you're playing a song in G, that would be V, I, V, I, III, V. For a song in D, like in this example, the same intervals would make I, IV, I, IV, VI, I. Banjos are commonly tuned G, D, G, B, D.
@lonkelly . Thanks for getting back to me and yes I see what you mean. So probably it could be played in both dropped D and open G...mmm interesting. Gonna give it a try. Happy Trails.
I'd be willing to live as a floorboard in your house so I could hear you playing this in real life. That was just beautiful..... Instead I'll have to settle for trying to learn how myself. Thanks for the "banjo tuning" idea.
@JoeGancher It's a _Fender_ Bajo Sexto: basically a Tele with a neck 3 frets longer, made in the custom shop. They must have made quite a few. If you Google "Fender Bajo Sexto" you'll find lots of info. I don't have any idea why Fender named it as they did, when there already was a different instrument with that name.
Thank you for posting! Nice job. This song has been a favorite of mine from way back when. I have worked out a version in drop D based on the Cooder/Titleman arrangement that I will post as soon as I have video capability.
Thanks for the kind words. I look forward to seeing your version in Drop D.
While this tuning/key idea is very cool and makes for nice harmonies, Ry's magic is based on good songs, syncopation, relentless rejection of repetition, and, of course, the "big note."
Yes, but I'm playing a Fender Bajo Sexto, which has a 30"+ scale and heavy strings, so my 8th fret probably isn't the same as yours. I'd say it's the G tuning "shape", i.e. the 1st, 5th, and 6th strings are tuned down a whole step from standard intervals.
I don't know about the other two songs, but I'll check them out in the next few weeks.
@Baci302 I've now worked out the first half of I Think It's Gonna Work Out Fine, at least the fingerstyle guitar, bass, and main slide part. It's in E. The finger-style intro and its continuation through the song can be played with a D or G tuning shape capoed at the 2nd fret. I can't figure out which way is better, but I've put most of my effort into the D tuning version. You can also combine the tunings by using a G tuning shape but tuning the 5th string up a whole step from G tuning.
@lonkelly You are a freaking genius. "Combining open tunings .... " Yikes. You're an inspiration, my friend. Can't wait to hear it! Don't keep us waiting.
@Baci302: In "I Think It's Going to Work Out Fine" at least the guitar that plays the intro sounds like it's using this tuning/key idea. In "Trouble..." I can't tell. It can be pretty hard to figure out tunings, particularly when there's little or no slide. I know of no evidence that Ry plays slants, and he generally doesn't fret behind the slide, so any chords or double-stops with the slide tell the intervals, and the open strings stand out too.
That's how I play it too. But I knew Ry was playing it in an open tuning, so that always bothered me. And I could never find anybody who knew what it was .... that is until now. Ta da.
And "thanks" lonkelly for figuring that out and posting Ry's quote. You just opened up another part of the guitar universe to me.
From looking at you play this it seems it's actually in a dropped D tuning ie bass E down to D. Am I right on this? Anyway ..really nicely played.
mlongley777 1 month ago
@mlongley777 You are correct about the 6th string, but it goes farther than that. The 1st, 5th, and 6th strings are all dropped a whole step. So, if you started with a standard-tuned guitar (EADGBE) this tuning would be, low to high, D, G, D, G, B, D. If you're playing a song in G, that would be V, I, V, I, III, V. For a song in D, like in this example, the same intervals would make I, IV, I, IV, VI, I. Banjos are commonly tuned G, D, G, B, D.
lonkelly 1 month ago
@lonkelly . Thanks for getting back to me and yes I see what you mean. So probably it could be played in both dropped D and open G...mmm interesting. Gonna give it a try. Happy Trails.
mlongley777 1 month ago
Nice tone, nice playing.
EddieBeakney 6 months ago
I'd be willing to live as a floorboard in your house so I could hear you playing this in real life. That was just beautiful..... Instead I'll have to settle for trying to learn how myself. Thanks for the "banjo tuning" idea.
Bumptiously 8 months ago
...never mind..got it..but I don't understand your comment "I'm playing a bajo sexto" ...looks like a tele to me :>)
JoeGancher 1 year ago
@JoeGancher It's a _Fender_ Bajo Sexto: basically a Tele with a neck 3 frets longer, made in the custom shop. They must have made quite a few. If you Google "Fender Bajo Sexto" you'll find lots of info. I don't have any idea why Fender named it as they did, when there already was a different instrument with that name.
lonkelly 1 year ago
... What exactly is a bajo sexto ?
JoeGancher 1 year ago
awesome
muopos 1 year ago
Thank you for posting! Nice job. This song has been a favorite of mine from way back when. I have worked out a version in drop D based on the Cooder/Titleman arrangement that I will post as soon as I have video capability.
bonedaddy144 2 years ago
Thanks for the kind words. I look forward to seeing your version in Drop D.
While this tuning/key idea is very cool and makes for nice harmonies, Ry's magic is based on good songs, syncopation, relentless rejection of repetition, and, of course, the "big note."
lonkelly 2 years ago
lonkelly, so are you just playing in open G cap'd up to the 8th fret?
Also, do you know if is this the same tuning that Ry used to play "I think it's going to work out fine" and "Trouble You Can't Fool Me"?
Baci302 2 years ago
Yes, but I'm playing a Fender Bajo Sexto, which has a 30"+ scale and heavy strings, so my 8th fret probably isn't the same as yours. I'd say it's the G tuning "shape", i.e. the 1st, 5th, and 6th strings are tuned down a whole step from standard intervals.
I don't know about the other two songs, but I'll check them out in the next few weeks.
lonkelly 2 years ago
Thanks for getting back to me on that. Wow, never knew about that guitar. I was only familiar with the standard baritones. Very cool.
Baci302 2 years ago
@Baci302 I've now worked out the first half of I Think It's Gonna Work Out Fine, at least the fingerstyle guitar, bass, and main slide part. It's in E. The finger-style intro and its continuation through the song can be played with a D or G tuning shape capoed at the 2nd fret. I can't figure out which way is better, but I've put most of my effort into the D tuning version. You can also combine the tunings by using a G tuning shape but tuning the 5th string up a whole step from G tuning.
lonkelly 2 months ago
@lonkelly You are a freaking genius. "Combining open tunings .... " Yikes. You're an inspiration, my friend. Can't wait to hear it! Don't keep us waiting.
Baci302 2 months ago
@Baci302: In "I Think It's Going to Work Out Fine" at least the guitar that plays the intro sounds like it's using this tuning/key idea. In "Trouble..." I can't tell. It can be pretty hard to figure out tunings, particularly when there's little or no slide. I know of no evidence that Ry plays slants, and he generally doesn't fret behind the slide, so any chords or double-stops with the slide tell the intervals, and the open strings stand out too.
lonkelly 1 year ago
That's how I play it too. But I knew Ry was playing it in an open tuning, so that always bothered me. And I could never find anybody who knew what it was .... that is until now. Ta da.
And "thanks" lonkelly for figuring that out and posting Ry's quote. You just opened up another part of the guitar universe to me.
Baci302 2 years ago
wow I have always tried to learn this one but it has been daunting trying to figure out. you are awesome the first person Ive ever seen do ry justice
Bravo and thank you
rufieoud 2 years ago
Ry is a big league MVP and I'm still playing T-ball, so thanks for the kind words.
lonkelly 2 years ago