Pretty Little Dog Clawhammer Banjo tune

One of the standard Old Time tunes, not played nearly enough.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Tom
• MacKenzie
• Old
• Time
• Clawhammer
• Banjo
• Traditional
• music

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[Mandolinpossum]

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