Come on up to the house, Sarah Jarosz

**micall5** · Nov-21-2010, 4:13pm

OK, so I'm trying to get the chords to this song down and when listening to Tom Waits, I believe it's in a different key than the version on Jarosz album. I can match the Tom Waits version with a capo, and come close to Jarosz version without, but I feel like I'm missing a few. Anyone know the chord progression for this song? And what key they play it in?

Another question from a beginner at theory... what does it mean to play in a key with a mandolin? When I chop to a song in say.. A, I can also take a break all over the fretboard. So this is a confusing topic for me.

Thanks in advance for the help.

**Mike Bunting** · Nov-21-2010, 4:46pm

Google is your friend.

http://www.google.ca/search?client=s...JoainAf1-uHyDQ

**jaycat** · Nov-22-2010, 12:04pm

Boy, that is a cover version that DOES NOT work. Not that most covers of Waits' stuff do.

**doc holiday** · Nov-22-2010, 1:26pm

Jaycat...different strokes for different folks...I though "Come on up the the house" was one of the strongest songs on Sarah J's first CD and showcase a great singing voice...
To each his own...

**Ed Goist** · Nov-22-2010, 1:37pm

I think Sarah Jarosz's version is killer.
I'd also love to see the key/chords for her rendition.
-Ed

**John Hill** · Nov-22-2010, 9:30pm

Yeah, I'm a huge fan of Waits but I actually prefer Jarosz's version much more than ol' gravel voice's. Maybe she should cover Rain Dogs...or Filipino Box Spring Hog.

**JeffD** · Nov-22-2010, 10:03pm

Originally Posted by micall5

Another question from a beginner at theory... what does it mean to play in a key with a mandolin? When I chop to a song in say.. A, I can also take a break all over the fretboard. So this is a confusing topic for me.

Thanks in advance for the help.

The condenced version - if you play in A, besides the A chord, the E chord and the D chord will be useful to you, and you'll want to remember to play C# instead of C, and F# instead of F, and G# in stead of G.

Each key will have a handful of chords that predominate, and the notes that work, usually the notes of the scale in that key.

For the key of C, besides C, the G and F chords are important, and there are no sharps or flatted notes.

Its a whole lot more involved than that, of course, but there are a lot of references available for learning the basics of music theory, lots of web sites and books. Some of them are kind of encyclopedic - trying to present everything at once instead of what you want to know now and what else you might want to know later. So poke around but don't get discouraged. You don't need to know everything right away.

Others can chime in and recommend favorite sites and books.

There is a "Music Theory for Dummies" book I have looked at, in which it looked fairly easy to find the particular topic you want.

**thirdstation** · Nov-23-2010, 9:42pm

Originally Posted by JeffD

Others can chime in and recommend favorite sites and books.

I've found Edly's book to be the most useful re: theory.
http://www.edly.com/mtfpp.html

**Loretta Callahan** · Nov-23-2010, 11:09pm

Did anyone catch Sarah's great rendition of this on Austin City Limits a few weeks ago? She was wonderful!

**Mike Bunting** · Nov-23-2010, 11:16pm

Originally Posted by Loretta Callahan

Did anyone catch Sarah's great rendition of this on Austin City Limits a few weeks ago? She was wonderful!

Yes I did, and you are correct, she is terrific, of all the young folk, she's my favourite.

**Ed Goist** · Nov-23-2010, 11:31pm

Originally Posted by Loretta Callahan

Did anyone catch Sarah's great rendition of this on Austin City Limits a few weeks ago? She was wonderful!

For anyone who missed this fine performance on ACL, here is a link to the video for the entire episode (Steve Martin with Steep Canyon Rangers & Sarah Jarosz).

**micall5** · Dec-06-2010, 4:03pm

Thanks for the great help JeffD and Thirdstation, I'm going to check out that book. I really need to get a good teacher. I live in Bellingham WA, anyone know of any? Mandolin or theory?

As for the Sarah Jaroz song? Anyone have any tips?

**Markus** · Dec-06-2010, 4:12pm

I very much liked the ACL version as well. Still have it on DVR, god I love that thing [Steve Martin too!]

Originally Posted by JeffD

Others can chime in and recommend favorite sites and books.

If you play guitar, I found the Skeptical Guitarist series to be very useful as an introduction, Vol 1 gets a lot of the basics out of the way and I found a good way to jump in.

If you don't play guitar, that's just going to confuse you with 6 strings.

**Rob Gerety** · Dec-06-2010, 5:17pm

I agree Sarah is terrific. She really has it. My favorite young progressive bluegrass type player. Great stuff. I can't imagine what she will become as she matures.

**tallmike** · Dec-08-2010, 9:28pm

Originally Posted by micall5

Thanks for the great help JeffD and Thirdstation, I'm going to check out that book. I really need to get a good teacher. I live in Bellingham WA, anyone know of any? Mandolin or theory?

As for the Sarah Jaroz song? Anyone have any tips?

It just so happens that I worked this out when the album was released. The key is A, and the chords are very close to (if not exactly) what are listed here: http://www.guitaretab.com/s/sarah-jarosz/255975.html

It's a pretty great solo (the album version) that covers a good amount of the fretboard. I've recorded a slower version for you here...please excuse the flubs:

**Loretta Callahan** · Dec-08-2010, 9:52pm

Very nice and soulful, Mike!

**Ed Goist** · Dec-08-2010, 10:08pm

Mike, that's some sweet playin'! Thanks for posting.
Oh, what type of mandolin are you playing, and how did you make the recording (equipment)? It sounds great!

**tallmike** · Dec-08-2010, 10:15pm

Thanks, guys!

Ed - I'm playing a Collings MF-5 (thread here) and recorded the video through the built-in mic & camera on my MacBook Pro (using Quicktime Pro).

**Ed Goist** · Dec-08-2010, 10:28pm

Mike, that Collings MF-5 is just stunning (sounds awesome, too). Congratulations.
Boy, good sound for a built-in mic.

**xntric** · Dec-09-2010, 12:17pm

Mike, you have a great ear (and fingers)! Any chance you also worked out "Mansinneedof" while you were at it? I could sure use a s-l-o-w video of that one . . . or tab . . .