Pretty Little Dog Clawhammer Banjo tune

[MrRozzers]

it looks like 4 years ago there was some discussion about what key this song is played in. The answer was "G modal." But, G modal is a banjo tuning, not a key. What key is it in (and what scale is used)? It looks like it might be G mixolydian. Any thoughts?

[banjodulce]

@MrRozzers You are right that G modal is the tuning. Its basically the key of G minor (G scale with a flatted 3rd). Sometimes players will tune down the 2nd string a half step which would give you a true G minor tuning. To add to the confusion, most fiddlers would play this tune in A but I like the way the Banjo sounds down in G.

[MrRozzers]

@banjodulce Thanks for the information. I ask because I found sheet music for Pretty Little Dog on traditionalmusic.co.uk, but it is written in C major, which I know is not the right key. I'll transpose into G minor and see what it sounds like. I'm not playing by ear, yet, so I rely on sheet music and tablature, which is remarkably hard to find for the old-timey tunes I like to play.

[duececaboose]

i used to know this tune but forgot it long ago. thanks for reminding me!

[noeszigi]

sounds sooo great !!!!

[littleegg]

I really enjoyed your video.  Like your style. I too have never heard this tune, but I have now. Thanks man!

[echoapparaat]

Nice clean style & perfect nice tone as well !Most recorded banjo`s are too sharp and too loud !...........Thanks !Welldone!

[thelittlestthing]

outstanding. <3

[picknngrinn]

That's beautiful!!

I'd pretty well forgotten about frailing for at least 25 years... re-strung the old gal last Saturday night and have been having a ball!

Thanks for posting this. I've never heard this beautiful tune before. I'll be learning it and pasing it on.

[guywolff]

I have to learn this one .. Thanks Tom . All the best , Guy (The potter in Connecticut )

[melvinseatsoup]

i love this tune. its one of those ballad type/ songs that turned into songs like goin acraoss the mountains and shady grove. what tuning are you in there brother. im just startin out on clawhammer. so id appreciate the info

[earthgriot1]

Also, are you "clucking" with the banjo there?

[earthgriot1]

Oh, speaking of which, could I get a tab file for this?

[WmAnnis]

Dwight Diller's web site (google is your friend) has a version of this tune. "The Banjo Picker's Fakebook" (a useful mess o' tunes) has a different version.

[earthgriot1]

Wow Buddy, good for you.. I'm not sleepin til I learn this song!

Phenomenal!

[PhilArpi]

It sound so sweet what is the name of your banjo?

[emmie54dave49]

great i would love the tab for it, if you could find it in your heart to sendit to me , i promise i would learn it as good as you

[NXavier787]

Wow, this guy. He's sooo relaxed - makes it look effortless. It's precisely this sound that I love.

Five stars!

[Sonofsoil]

That sounds great, brother!

[boshi44]

isn't that shady grove?

[OldAndBlue]

Boshi: No, it is indeed Pretty Little Dog, and a 5***** version at that!.

[Mandolinpossum]

I'd like to know the difference. This melody is identical to Shady Grove to my ears.

[banjorappindave]

very good tune and very well executed. would like to learn this one myself. what key is it in ? minor i suppose or even a modle. i have heard this tune before and i think it had a different name.

[AussieSteveBoyle]

Hey B.D. I give you much kudos for your playing. you are an exceptional musician.

[giggleblaggle]

Um, I was just wondering, what is the point of the longer neck banjo if the fifth string peg isn't moved at all. It doesn't make any sense. If you played this without a capo, wouldn't the fifth string be tuned to a G, and the other strings lower than that? I'm very confused.

[banjodulce]

You tune the fifth string down according to the key you are going to play in. Open, the banjo is in the key of E so the fifth string is tuned down to an E. Just the opposite of tuning the fifth string up when you use a capo. The long neck allows you to use an open G tuning but really be in a different key. Kind of a minus capo.

[giggleblaggle]

Oh, I see. But then if you wanted to do chords on the upper frets and fret the fifth string, you would have to fret the fifth string at 3 frets closer to the head than usual, wouldn't you? I just don't understand why if the four string are added three frets, why wouldn't the same be done to the fifth string. It just doesn't make any sense.

[berrendacreek]

The 5th string is a drone string. As b.d. says, it's tuned to fit whatever key you are playing in, depending on how you're tuned and where you're capoed. In clawhammer banjo, if not other styles, the 5th string is generally never fretted (can be, but it isn't real common). So it's always there, tuned to fit they key of the tune regardless of note or chord.

[giggleblaggle]

I don't know about that, I play banjo and I fret the fifth string all the time, watch my movie "Arkansas Traveler" and see.

[berrendacreek]

Very cool video, g.b. But note that I said, "In clawhammer banjo, if not other styles..." because I really have no experience with Scruggs-style picking and so I was allowing for such use of a fretted 5th. I have to assume that there ain't many long-neck banjos being played by bluegrassers, so it all works out.

[giggleblaggle]

Yeah, I guess you're right. It does all work out.

[suimeikai]

I'm a fiddle and I just started on banjo. Mine's a cheapie and it's hard to play. This is one of my favorite tunes, and I'm glad people are playing it outside of west virginia. You sound fantastic.

[FallingDownMountains]

How much did you pay for a banjo like that?

[banjodulce]

This banjo has had a lot of work done on it by me so I don't know what it's worth but you can usually find long necks for around 1000.

[mjtracy]

wow great! I'm just getting interested in learning banjo, and you video definitely inspires me to learn clawhammer style. Thanks.

[zencaper]

Nice playing Bro!

R Stone

[lazystrings]

Good rolls, I like your style.

[knsmare1]

Terrific playing & tune. Are you playing in G modal?

[banjodulce]

G modal it is even though a fiddler would probably play this in A modal. Just thought it sounded sweeter in a lower key.

[knsmare1]

Well, I agree with you there. I am a beginner but I have a very strong craving for G modal tunes. Hope I can learn to play as smoothly as you do.

[lasht2monyon]

yeah i'm going to learn this as well, thanks

[UncleMacJug]

Great tune, and very nice playing, especially those rolls. I've been playing along and learning lots.

[YoppyKyabetsu]

Yep. Thats going on my learning list

[bilbo60]

I haven't heard that tune for a long time, nice job

[zeppmusic]

Really sweet, Tom!

[sparkyfiddle]

nice playing - like the rolls