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Thread: Uncommon songs (preferably in G)

  1. #1
    Registered User mbruno's Avatar
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    Default Uncommon songs (preferably in G)

    Hey all - I'm working on a workshop and I'm trying to find some uncommon songs ideally in the key of G, but not required. I'm doing my own search to get some - but searching for things you don't know about can be tough, so I figured I'd ask the crowd.

    What's a bluegrass song (or tune if we're splitting hairs) you play or have recently heard that you don't hear too often at jams etc. If it's not in G, that's okay - not the end of the world.

    Thanks
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  2. #2
    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Uncommon songs (preferably in G)

    Sorry, don’t know any Bluegrass songs.
    Last edited by Simon DS; Oct-23-2022 at 11:01am.

  3. #3

    Default Re: Uncommon songs (preferably in G)

    Louisville Breakdown

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    Registered User Marcus CA's Avatar
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    Default Re: Uncommon songs (preferably in G)

    Arlo didn't play this in G, but it works easily in that key.

    still trying to turn dreams into memories

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    Registered User Mike Buesseler's Avatar
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    Default Re: Uncommon songs (preferably in G)

    I’ve only heard two versions of this one by James Bryan:

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  8. #6
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    Default Re: Uncommon songs (preferably in G)

    Added a new fiddler to our band last year - he introduced us to this tune:
    Possum Up A Gum Stump
    It's a fun tune to play.

    Some songs that I sing in G that you may not hear everyday...
    Snowing on Raton
    I'm Just Here To Get My Baby Out Of Jail
    Whitehouse Blues

    Kirk

  9. #7
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    Default Re: Uncommon songs (preferably in G)

    Golden Eagle Hornpipe - Cole's 1001 fiddle tunes

    not G but Em

    Jackie Tar - Norman Blake Full moon on the Farm
    Queen's Polka - James Bryan the First of May
    Stormy Morning Orchestra

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    Lurkist dhergert's Avatar
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    Default Re: Uncommon songs (preferably in G)

    John's Waltz to the Miller

    (Tony Trischka, 1983, originally in A I believe, but could just as easily be done in G.)

    -- Don

    "Music: A minor auditory irritation occasionally characterized as pleasant."
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  12. #9
    Registered User Mandobart's Avatar
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    Default Re: Uncommon songs (preferably in G)

    I'm surprised it doesn't get covered more. It's NOT bluegrass but Eddie Vedder's rise works well in G on mando.

    Dark Hollow is not done a lot in jams.
    Beech Spring is a neat sounding old tune in G
    Sail Away Ladies (similar to Sally Ann). Cool chord progression.
    Swinging on a Gate

    Since you're in the PNW now if you don't have Gene Silberberg's "Fiddle Tunes I Either Did or Did Not Learn at the Tractor Tavern" you need to get it. Great collection of mostly old time and fiddle tunes.

  13. #10
    Confused... or?
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    Default Re: Uncommon songs (preferably in G)

    If you have Sirius XM satellite radio, the "Bluegrass Junction" channel plays a variety of new & old BG, most of which is uncommon =to me=, and any of which could be transposed to G.

    FWIW, whenever there was something particularly interesting (inherently "uncommon"), I'd make a voice note on my cell phone. Eventually realized that there were several dozen notes that I'd never have the time or initiative to track down when, hey, I could just turn on Bluegrass Junction!
    - Ed

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  14. #11
    Registered User Mandobart's Avatar
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    Default Re: Uncommon songs (preferably in G)

    Quote Originally Posted by EdHanrahan View Post
    If you have Sirius XM satellite radio, the "Bluegrass Junction" channel plays a variety of new & old BG, most of which is uncommon =to me=, and any of which could be transposed to G.
    Though I often transpose a song for my vocal range, the OP wants this for a workshop. IMO, it is a disservice to workshop attendees to introduce a song to them in a key other than the one it's commonly played in. They may think they've "learned" a tune in a workshop and eagerly await bringing it to a jam just to learn they're in the wrong key.

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  16. #12
    Stop the chop!
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    Default Re: Uncommon songs (preferably in G)

    Quote Originally Posted by mbruno View Post
    Hey all - I'm working on a workshop and I'm trying to find some uncommon songs ideally in the key of G, but not required. I'm doing my own search to get some - but searching for things you don't know about can be tough, so I figured I'd ask the crowd.

    What's a bluegrass song (or tune if we're splitting hairs) you play or have recently heard that you don't hear too often at jams etc. If it's not in G, that's okay - not the end of the world.

    Thanks
    Trouble in Mind (preferably in A or Bb)
    Crossing the Cumberlands (g minor)
    Twinkle Little Star (Bob Wills, G major)
    Sweet Dixie (Bill Emerson, D major)
    Them Time (also Emerson, G)

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