Get Up John

**Dennis Schubert** · Dec-17-2004, 11:55am

I need to re-learn "Get Up John" in a hurry, and I can't remember the tuning. Is it...

F#A DD AA AD (lo to hi)?

**Tbone** · Dec-17-2004, 12:23pm

yes.

**Moose** · Dec-17-2004, 12:47pm

Interesting & FYI : Monroe recorded this number twice(that I can document) - First: November 28, 1953 ; Bill Monroe:mandolin ; Jimmy Martin:guitar ; Charlie Cline:fiddle ; Rudy Lyle:banjo ; Ernie Newton:bass. - Second time: December 3, 1970 ; Bill Monroe:mandolin ; James Monroe:guitar ; Bobby Thompson:banjo ; Kenny Baker:fiddle ; "Red" Hayes:fiddle.(Rosenberg,pgs. 63&93) - Also recorded at the December,1970 session were Lonesome Moonlight Waltz and Tallahassee ; the last two included fiddler Gordon Terry ; (so, TRIPLE fiddles on these "Classics" WHEW!!)

**Dennis Schubert** · Dec-17-2004, 2:25pm

What a great neighborhood! Thanks!

**evanreilly** · Dec-17-2004, 3:31pm

Moose:
There are three releases of 'Get Up John' by Monroe. In addition to the two Decca/MCA recordings you reference, it also appears on the Smithsonian 'live' collection, where Monroe is playing Ralph Rinzler's Fern F-5 mandolin.

**Moose** · Dec-17-2004, 3:35pm

Thanks Evan,...didn't know about that one. You da' man!

**blugrassboy** · Jan-11-2005, 9:53am

Hey I need some help about-Get up John-
Is it tuned in those cords from the 1 to 4th strings?

**Moose** · Jan-11-2005, 10:07am

Bluegrassboy : see "tuning" above - I think you mean 'strings' - not chords - I don't think you can really chop "chords' on a/your mando with THAT tuning in place - maybe some double stops! AS has been alluded to on other posts.., Monroe and others use(d) a separate mando for that tune - unless you wanna' "re-tune" after the "performance'!!?## - Don't forget..., the "thinnest" string(A) is considered the "FIRST" string - heaviest is forth(G) - Good luck!

**ShaneJ** · Jan-11-2005, 11:18am

It plays an open D chord. You can chop at the 5th fret (straight across) for G and 7th fret for A -- even 12th for D again. You can also hit 7th and 12th harmonics and comp it a little for a cool sounding chop.

**Moose** · Jan-11-2005, 11:25am

Right on!!!

**Tom C** · Jan-11-2005, 11:56am

F#A DD AA AD

Is the 'A' on the 'E' string tuned up or down? if up isn't that a ton of tension?
If down, isn't it too loose?

**Moose** · Jan-11-2005, 12:09pm

naaa... do it... - it'll check the warranty

**Dennis Schubert** · Jan-11-2005, 1:12pm

Dropped down & floppy is how it's supposed to be. Or, if you were rich and famous, maybe you could have a git-up-john mandolin with a 0.016" and 0.011" strings for the first pair. No floppin' around.

**Moose** · Jan-11-2005, 1:18pm

Yeah buddy!! - "...dropped-down and floppy!! - that'll git it! -

**ronlane3** · Jan-11-2005, 1:50pm

Ironweed, just gave me another excuse to buy another mandolin. "Hunny, I NEED this mandolin for all of those time when we play Get Up John on stage." Her response, "Well okay then, but not a Loar, you'll have to settle for a DMM."

Okay so maybe I'm dreamin' about her response.

**evanreilly** · Jan-11-2005, 6:18pm

Once again, to answer the perennial 'GUJ' thread...
All you need to know:

**Dennis Schubert** · Jan-12-2005, 6:38am

ROn, you don't know Mrs. Ironweed, do you? That doesn't sound much like her. She thinks that I don't get much wood for my money. I buy a mandolin, she buys a deck. I buy another mandolin, she orders new wood flooring.