Lonesome John
Notation:
Standard Notation
ABC Notation
Banjo Tablature
Mandolin Tablature
Violin Tablature
traditional
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Transcription: by Darryl D. Bush
"Lonesome John" is an American reel in cut time and A Aeolian (Krassen), A Dorian (Reiner)<br> or A Mixolydian (Titon). It is played in Standard or AEae fiddle tunings. The parts are<br> played AAB (Krassen) or AABB (Reiner, Titon).<br> A popular east Kentucky tune, particularly in Magoffin and Morgan Counties.<br> Jeff Titon (2001) notes that his source, John Salyer (1882-1952) played his 'c' notes at an<br> intonation between a 'c' natural and a 'c' sharp. This is not a mistake or poor technique,<br> but a legitimate characteristic of the tonality of many old-time fiddlers. Salyer himself<br> called such intonation 'wild' notes. Mike Yates (2002) believes this tune to be related to<br> "Salt Creek",<br> "Salt River"<br> and Hobart Smith's "The Pateroller Song".<br> The banjo tablature is by John Letscher. His comment:<br> I think Ralph Stanley got a hold on this one and called it<br> "Clinch Mountain Backstep". Good tune either way. This from the playing of Rayna Gellert.<br> It was printed in Krassen's Appalachian Fiddle (1973),<br> Reiner's Anthology of Fiddle Styles (1979) and<br> Titon's Old-Time Kentucky Fiddle Tunes (2001).<br> It was recorded by John M. Salyer on"John M. Salyer, Home Recordings 1941-42" (1993) and<br> John McCutcheon on Fine Times at Our House (1982) (Learned from Scott Boatright, Fort Blackmore, Va.).<br> <br>
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