Good solo songs

[abelville]

I'm new to mandolin, but not to guitar. Living out in the boonies and away from other musicians kind of forces me to learn songs that go well with a solo instrument. It has always worked well with my guitar. #I recently started learning "The Girl from the North Country Fair" by Dylan, but Sam Bush's version on mandolin.

Does anyone have suggestions of other folk songs that seem to go well with just a mandolin and vocal?

Thanks!!

Al

[Chippsta]

Check some old Ry Cooder records. I love "Goin' to Brownsville", "Ax Sweet Mama", and "Billy the Kid". Ry performed them solo and they're a lot of fun.

[JEStanek]

Old Joe Clark, Waltzing Matilda, Ashoken Farwell, Shady Grove. I think any old folk song will work on mando.

Jamie

[DryBones]

Wayfaring Stranger and Long Black Veil are fun

[psann]

And, of course,.......................A Place in the Heart

[abelville]

Thanks so much you guys! Love these choices. Anyone else out there, please keep'em comming.

BEST!!

Al

[bsimmers]

"Little Annie" in D
"Amazing Grace" in Am, to the chord progression of House of the Rising Sun (like the Blind Boys of Alabama). Lots of good open string chords!!! Experiment with the right hand!

[wigginsplayer]

I second "Amazing Grace" with the progression of House of the Rising Sun for guitar as well! #I first heard it on a CD of blues songs, and thought it was a great arrangement. #I could not believe how well the lyrics, melody and chord structure fit!

Pete

[Katie]

Some Eric Bogle songs work. He either just sings or plays guitar, but they lend themselves nicely to mandolin playing.
-Katie

[red7flag]

Honestly, any song can sound great on the mando when approached with the 3 Ts: Taste, Tone, Timing. Well unless the song stinks to begin with. I use "Scotland the Brave" on my cell phone as an answering tone. Came home one day and figured it out on the mando, and it sounds really good, well, except to the Irish.
Tony

[red7flag]

I was sitting here and the tune of Waltzing Matilda came into my head. Worked out a little arrangement in G. Sounds nice and the song has a good range. Not bluegrass, but a neet little tune.
Tony

[Oggy]

Does anyone have the tabs for "Girl from North Country", Bush's version?

[abelville]

I'm looking for Bush's (TAB) version as well. Right now, I just have the chords he used. I've heard Sam do it two different ways live. Man his lead and melodies are tasteful.

[Patrick Gunning]

Favorite solo song hands down...



Britney Spears' Toxic


*crowd gathers with pitchforks and torches*

well, at least it gets the most laughs at parties

[Aran]

Nickel Creek played Britney Spears' Toxic last Monday???

Obviously a popular choice.

Personally I am a bit confused

[Patrick Gunning]

*gets panicked expression*

I was just kidding around...

Seriously though, a cool folk song to play on solo mandolin is "Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning" (see Tim O'brien's Real Time for a cut - or if you want I can attach a live version). 2 chords (Am and G), and lots of easy ways to mess around melodically and rhythmically.

Best of luck with trying solo mandolin stuff - it's always a struggle but it is pretty cool when somebody compliments you on your "little guitar" or "ukelele" playing.

[bradeinhorn]

i agree on the tim obrien he's got a lot of good solo material.

also - on lamp trimmed and burnin - i like throwing in the Em-D-A at the end of the progression

[Aran]

Well I'm glad you were just kidding around cause after last Monday and then this post I was beginning to think this TOXIC thing was getting serious

I'm enjoying this thread but don't really have anything to contribute as I was thinking of asking a similair question

[Lane Pryce]

How bout Cattle In The Cane in A --- adlib/walk it up the neck ---- sweet!!! Lp