Beaumont Rag- is there a standard key?

[SincereCorgi]

So far I've found versions in F, C, and D... is there a standard 'jamming' key for this one?

[Pete Martin]

With Texan fiddlers it is always in F.

[JJO]

In all the versions I've seen for guitar it's usually played in D -- C position, capo 2. Don't know if that differs for larger group jams.

[pglasse]

Both Pete and JJO are correct. When it ends up in C it's usually because the guitarist forgot (or was too lazy to use) his capo.

[foldedpath]

I was in a band lab workshop with Tim O'Brien where he taught the group to play it in F. Lays out real nice on the mandolin (and fiddle) fretboard that way. Just ignore any moaning from the guitar and banjo players.

[farmerjones]

Beaumont Rag's in F.

[ralph johansson]

I was in a band lab workshop with Tim O'Brien where he taught the group to play it in F. Lays out real nice on the mandolin (and fiddle) fretboard that way. Just ignore any moaning from the guitar and banjo players.

In fact, F is an ideal key for the guitar, because it offers a lot of nice closed three- or fournote chord forms not at all available in C or D (the guitar is my main instrument). It also offers an ideal range for soloing and melody.

Two guitars, one backing up in open position, the other soling in that position (or capoed II) in the key of D can create a very muddy and confusing sound. Not to mention the key of C.

[Fiddler3]

Only key I ever heard it in was D. My Dad was a fiddler and that's where he always played it....so that was the key.

[greg_tsam]

My banjo buddy plays in F citing that that's how it was first recorded and I first learned it in D. He's louder so he wins.

[Pete Martin]

He's louder so he wins.

Ain't that always the case

[swampstomper]

This was extensively discussed in this thread. The original E. Texas Serenaders did in C, but that was not all the tune we play now. Bob Wills (or maybe someone before him?) moved it to F, which is the standard fiddle key. Doc Watson decided it sounded good in C capoed up two positions on a 12-string guitar and all the guitarists from Clarence White on have stuck to that.

[AlanN]

John Baldry laid out some nice BR lines for mandolin in Niles' old Galactic Crossroads, think that was in key of D.

[SincereCorgi]

This was extensively discussed in this thread. The original E. Texas Serenaders did in C, but that was not all the tune we play now. Bob Wills (or maybe someone before him?) moved it to F, which is the standard fiddle key. Doc Watson decided it sounded good in C capoed up two positions on a 12-string guitar and all the guitarists from Clarence White on have stuck to that.

Thanks Swamp, I must have missed that thread.