Idaho Bluegrass Association
  • Home
    • About
    • Join Us
    • Donate
    • IBA Newsletter
    • Our Logo
  • Articles & Podcasts
    • Podcasts >
      • ​Jeremy Garrett Interview
      • Keith Reed Interview
      • Jason Homey Interview
      • Becky Smith Interview
      • Marv Quinton Interview
      • Rue Frisbee Interview
      • Donna and Mike Bond Interview
      • Honi Deaton Interview
      • Dennis Stokes Interview
      • Gary Eller Interview
    • Articles >
      • Glen Garrett - The Golden Years
      • Sammie Bush - came to Weiser
      • Mark O’Connor - My History at Weiser
      • Barbara Lamb - Fiddler Extraordinaire
      • Charlie Simmons -The Idaho Bluegrass Association from 1975 to 1985
      • Idaho's 19th century Fiddlers
      • Weiser Fiddle Champions ​ 1950s & 1960s
      • ​Byron Berline
      • Dave Frisbee
      • Weiser Fiddle Champions from 1970s and 80s
      • Megan Lynch Chowning
      • Fiddle Champion ​in 1990s and 2000s
      • Tashina and Tristan Clarridge
    • Snap Shot - Videos from IBA members
  • Events
    • Calendar (BCBB)
    • Open Mic
    • SpringGrass 2023 >
      • Springfest 2022
    • Winterfest
    • IBA Concert Series
    • Virtualgrass
    • Other Bluegrass Events
  • Jam
    • Idaho Jams
    • Jason's Beginner Jam Blog 2021 - 2022
    • Jason's Intermediate Jam Blog 2021 - 2022
    • All of Jason's Songs
    • Old Blogs from Jason >
      • Jason's Beginner Jam Blog 2019 - 2021
      • Jason's Intermediate Jam Blog 2019 - 2021
      • Jason's Beginner Jam Blog 2017 - 2018
      • Jason's Intermediate Jam Blog 2017 - 2018
      • Songs in 2016
  • Camps & Contests
    • Idaho Bluegrass and Banjo Camp
    • Banjo Contest
    • National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest
  • Idaho Bands
  • Teachers
  • Classified
  • Links
    • General
    • Learning
    • Specific Instruments

Why Don't You Tell Me So

9/8/2019

0 Comments

 
Hi,
The song of the week is the Flatt & Scruggs classic 'Why Don't You Tell Me So' in the key of G.


Recordings
Here is the original Flatt & Scruggs recording of Why Don't You Tell Me So - key of F#
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=868sWKi1CWc  

Here is a good cover version of the song from Tony Rice - key of F
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgTiqz2X1Mg&list=PLJcseQaUtw9WQvE_F-tmDHRwhKTfOr6iz&index=5


Tuning
The Flatt & Scruggs recording is in the very rarely used key of F# (or Gb, if you prefer) instead of the much more common key of F only because the instruments were all tuned a half step higher in pitch than standard. To play along with the recording, I advise banjo, mandolin and fiddle players to either tune their instruments a half step higher and then play as if in F, or to tune their instruments a half step lower and then play as if in G. (Guitar players need not retune their instruments, for there is little advantage in doing so: either capo 4, and then play as if in D, or capo 2 and then play as if in E will work just fine for playing along with the recording.)


Note to Banjo Players
If the band had been tuned to standard pitch, Scruggs' playing on Why Don't You Tell Me So would be an example of playing in F without a capo (banjo tuned in G tuning with the 5th string capoed at the 7th fret so that the 5th string registers as an A note, a note that is part of the F chord).

For banjo players who wish to learn Earl's backup parts and break from the record, I point out that there is little difference in how it feels to play Scruggs' parts out of G (tuned down a half step from G tuning to be in tune with the recording: F#,C#,F#,A#,C#), or out of F (tuned up a half step from G tuning, with the 5th string capoed at the 7th fret: A#,D#,G#,B#,D#.  B#=C) since only in a couple of spots in his backup playing does Scruggs use an open string, and in his break, the only open string he makes use of is the 5th string. There are however, a couple of spots during the backup parts in which one will run out of frets if tuned down instead of tuned up, but an easy fix for this is to simply drop those spots a whole octave: i.e., play the notes 12 frets lower.

For banjo players who have little or no experience playing up the neck (besides vamping), I recommend working up down-the-neck breaks and backup parts out of G with the help of banjo tab melody sheet in the attachments. 

Finally, it should be observed that Scruggs' up the neck break that occurs after the second chorus of the song does not follow the melody closely enough to be used as an effective intro break for the song.


Progression
The chord progression for the verses and breaks is the very familiar progression:

1111
1155
1144
1511
(Prog. V2 on the basic chord progressions chart)

The chord progression for the choruses is the most common progression for choruses in songs in which the verses use Prog. V2 while the choruses use a different progression. Only the first line differs from V2:

4411
1155
1144
1511
(Prog. X2)


The Mercury Sessions
Why Don't You Tell Me So was the 8th song that Flatt & Scruggs recorded together after leaving Bill Monroe's band. It is one of 28 songs that Flatt & Scruggs recorded together on Mercury Records between 1948 and 1950 (before they went to a different record label: Columbia). This collection of 28 songs is commonly referred to as 'the Mercury Sessions', and I consider it to be essential listening for students of Bluegrass music. 

Most of these 28 songs have become Bluegrass standards and have been covered by numerous Bluegrass artists.

In the order in which they were recorded, here are youtube links to the 28 songs of the Mercury Sessions. Songs that I especially recommend listening to several times over are marked with an asterisk

*1. We'll Meet Again Sweetheart
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT7rowwR_lA  

2. God Loves His Children
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BEd1UVqdoY  

*3. My Cabin In Caroline
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zy_KcA-1yM  

4. I'm Going To Make Heaven My Home
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KkvX1Ovzqw

5. Baby Blue Eyes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4C9-yPOnC8 
 
*6. Down The Road
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q40vZj20E4I

7. Bouquet In Heaven
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGm0U6Izb6k  

*8. Why Don't You Tell Me So
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=868sWKi1CWc  

*9. I'll Never Shed Another Tear
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtk7XyiuCXU  

*10. Foggy Mountain Breakdown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_Y3mnj-8lA

*11. No Mother Or Dad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DG16hKUlo1k  

*12. Is It Too Late Now
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQvdadVsvmo  

*13. My Little Girl In Tennessee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aNuUybrAq4  

14. I'll Be Going To Heaven Sometime
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nqp9bSoSwQ  

15. I'll Never Love Another
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rElItBdIq8I  

16. So Happy I'll Be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjS0TH05Xhw  

*17. Doin' My Time
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InFTCQfri9w  

*18. Pike County Breakdown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HioToEDKl_E

19. Preachin' Prayin' Singin'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNdaHDHgwCc  

*20. Cora Is Gone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJkTaX2Li2I  

*21. Pain In My Heart
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meazeajPSP0    

*22. Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riHYkRKXydU

23. Back To The Cross
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yciZzg3rQTE  

*24. Old Salty Dog Blues 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQdkmY3-egE  

25. Will The Roses Bloom (Where She Lies Sleeping)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUzt_7fBV_4  

*26. Take Me In A LIfeboat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFMbmJ7Sov0  

*27. Farewell Blues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McvTz0j_Pt0  

28. I'll Just Pretend
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuXpNYYR4cw  


Song List
14 songs were played at last night's jam:
Ashes Of Love (played twice) - B & G
Cherokee Shuffle - A
Clinch Mountain Backstep - A
Gold Watch And Chain - D
Homestead On The Farm - A
Little Cabin Home On The Hill - A
Turkey In The Straw - G
We'll Meet Again Sweetheart - A
Why Don't You Tell Me So (played twice) - F & G
Wreck Of The Old '97 (played twice) - D & A
Golden Slippers - G
The Girl I Left Behind Me - G
99 Years And One Dark Day - A
Hand Me Down My Walking Cane - C

Happy Pickin',
Jason

Why Don't You Tell Me So - banjo tab
Download File

Why Don't You Tell Me So - guitar tab
Download File

Why Don't You Tell Me So - mandolin tab
Download File

Why Don't You Tell Me So - melody in G
Download File
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    ​Jason's Intermediate Jam Blog 2019 - 2021

    Was weekly on Thursdays
             6:30pm
    at Pioneer Building in downtown Boise
    ​

    started Jan 2017
    ​as  Beginner jam 
    (click to see Beginner blog 2017-18)

    ​with Jason Homey

    Picture
    ​Songs regularly called at the Beginner Bluegrass Jam and links from Jason's "Song of the Week" emails.  (from Renee)

    ​

    All of Jason's Songs
    in alphabetical order

    ​

    Categories

    All
    0 - Basic Chord Progressions
    0 - Nashville Number System Charts
    0 - Song List 2020 Jan
    5 - Song List 2019 Sept
    7 - Song List 2019 April
    8 - Song List 2019 Jan.
    9
    Angel Band
    Are You Missing Me
    Ashes Of Love
    Auld Lang Syne
    Banks Of The Ohio
    Beautiful Brown Eyes
    Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem
    Bill Cheatham
    Black Mountain Rag
    Blue Night
    Blue Ridge Cabin Home
    Cabin In Caroline
    Canaan's Land
    Can't You Hear Me Calling
    Cherokee Shuffle
    Clinch Mountain Backstep
    Cold Corn
    Columbus Stockade Blues
    Cora Is Gone
    Cry
    Cry Cry Darlin
    Cry Darlin'
    Cryin' Holy
    Dark Hollow
    Devil's Dream
    Diamonds In The Rough
    Don't This Road Look Rough And Rocky
    Dooley
    Down In A Willow Garden
    Down The Road
    East Virginia Blues
    Feast Here Tonight
    Fireball Mail
    Foggy Mountain Breakdown
    Foggy Mountain Special
    Footprints In The Snow
    God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
    Gold Rush
    Gold Watch And Chain
    Hallelujah
    Hard Hearted
    Hard Times Come Again No More
    Head Over Heels
    Homestead On The Farm
    Home Sweet Home
    Honey
    Hot Corn
    How Mountain Girls Can Love
    I Can't Feel At Home In This World Anymore
    I Hope You've Learned
    I'll Never Shed Another Tear
    I'm Ready To Go
    I Never Will Marry
    In The Pines
    In The Sweet By And By
    I Saw The Light
    I Still Miss Someone
    It's Mighty Dark To Travel
    I Wonder Where You Are Tonight
    John Hardy
    John Henry
    Joy To The World
    Keep On The Sunny Side
    Last Train From Poor Valley
    Liberty
    Life Is Like A Mountain Railroad
    Little Cabin Home On The Hill
    Little Darling Pal Of Mine
    Little Darlin Pal Of Mine
    Little Georgia Rose
    Little Liza Jane
    Little Maggie
    Little Willie
    Lonesome Feeling
    Long Black Veil
    Love
    Love Of The Mountains
    Love Please Come Home
    Man Of Constant Sorrow
    Mountain Dew
    Nellie Kane
    Nine Pound Hammer
    No Mother Or Dad
    Old Home Place
    Old Joe Clark
    Ole Slew Foot
    O Little Town Of Bethlehem
    On And On
    Over The Hill To The Poorhouse
    Please Come Home
    Red Haired Boy
    Red Wing
    Reuben
    Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms
    Roving Gambler
    Sally Goodin
    Salt Creek
    Salty Dog Blues
    Shady Grove
    Sitting On Top Of The World
    St. Anne's Reel
    Steel Rails
    The Lone Pilgrim
    Think Of What You've Done
    Thirty-Two Acres:
    Tiny Broken Heart
    Turkey In The Straw
    Two Little Boys
    Wabash Cannonball
    We'll Meet Again Sweetheart
    We Three Kings
    What Child Is This
    Whiskey Before Breakfast
    Why Don't You Tell Me So
    Wildwood Flower
    Will You Be Loving Another Man
    Wreck Of The No. 9
    Wreck Of The Old '97
    You Don't Know My Mind

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018

ConTACT US!


ADDRESS:
​Idaho Bluegrass Association
PO Box 6074
Boise, ID 83707

Email

idahobluegrassassociation@gmail.com
Copyright © 2021 IBA.
  • Home
    • About
    • Join Us
    • Donate
    • IBA Newsletter
    • Our Logo
  • Articles & Podcasts
    • Podcasts >
      • ​Jeremy Garrett Interview
      • Keith Reed Interview
      • Jason Homey Interview
      • Becky Smith Interview
      • Marv Quinton Interview
      • Rue Frisbee Interview
      • Donna and Mike Bond Interview
      • Honi Deaton Interview
      • Dennis Stokes Interview
      • Gary Eller Interview
    • Articles >
      • Glen Garrett - The Golden Years
      • Sammie Bush - came to Weiser
      • Mark O’Connor - My History at Weiser
      • Barbara Lamb - Fiddler Extraordinaire
      • Charlie Simmons -The Idaho Bluegrass Association from 1975 to 1985
      • Idaho's 19th century Fiddlers
      • Weiser Fiddle Champions ​ 1950s & 1960s
      • ​Byron Berline
      • Dave Frisbee
      • Weiser Fiddle Champions from 1970s and 80s
      • Megan Lynch Chowning
      • Fiddle Champion ​in 1990s and 2000s
      • Tashina and Tristan Clarridge
    • Snap Shot - Videos from IBA members
  • Events
    • Calendar (BCBB)
    • Open Mic
    • SpringGrass 2023 >
      • Springfest 2022
    • Winterfest
    • IBA Concert Series
    • Virtualgrass
    • Other Bluegrass Events
  • Jam
    • Idaho Jams
    • Jason's Beginner Jam Blog 2021 - 2022
    • Jason's Intermediate Jam Blog 2021 - 2022
    • All of Jason's Songs
    • Old Blogs from Jason >
      • Jason's Beginner Jam Blog 2019 - 2021
      • Jason's Intermediate Jam Blog 2019 - 2021
      • Jason's Beginner Jam Blog 2017 - 2018
      • Jason's Intermediate Jam Blog 2017 - 2018
      • Songs in 2016
  • Camps & Contests
    • Idaho Bluegrass and Banjo Camp
    • Banjo Contest
    • National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest
  • Idaho Bands
  • Teachers
  • Classified
  • Links
    • General
    • Learning
    • Specific Instruments