Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

I'm On My Way Back to the Old Home tab

#1

As is often the case, I went looking for tab of this song played in the style of JD Crowe, but everything I could find fell short of what I thought was right. So, I made my own. I figured I’d share it here in case anyone else wants to try it. This song is BLAZING fast. I clocked it at 304 BPM. I don’t know if I’ll ever play it as clean as JD at that speed. It amazes me how clear and separated his notes are, especially when I slow them down to hear what he’s doing.

Some things to pay close attention to. In measure 14, I thought for a long time he was playing 2 hammer ons on the 3rd string, but he’s not. He plays then mutes the 3rd string on the 2nd fret, then plays it again and slides to the 4th fret. It’s a subtle difference, but I actually tabbed it out wrong the first time around and it didn’t sound right.

On the last half of the 15th measure, I thought for a while he was playing another hammer on on the 3rd string, but it was another gotcha. He just lets that A note hang for a bit, and it really changes the feel if you hammer it.

Have fun, and post a video if you decide to try it.

On My Way Back to the Old Home.tef (8.1 KB)

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#2

Well, a couple more hours and I got it up to speed. Still need to clean it up, but I’m feeling pretty good about it.

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#3

Good job. Eli Gilbert put out a good tab on several songs of JD’s stuff. You and he are matched very close on this one.

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#4

Thanks! You know, I did find his video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAzF3_4rYig

Thing is, I don’t think he’s playing it right in the 14th and 15th measures like I mentioned above. To be honest, I played it the way he’s playing it in that video for hours before I realized it was wrong. I slowed it way down and found my mistakes, which is actually what got me to tab it out in the first place.

#5

Killer stuff! Am I sensing a project to learn all the songs on Vol. 1?

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#6

Thanks! That would be quite a project. I’m very much digging JD right now, so who knows?

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#7

awesome2 Now I know why you haven’t been a frequent flyer on the forum this past year @Mark_Rocka that was BRILLIANT!

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#8

Thanks Archie!

Yeah, life has had me super busy, especially with work. Last year I set a company record for most hours billed. Makes for great paychecks, but doesn’t do much for personal pursuits.

It feels good to be fired up about playing again.

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#9

I know that feeling I worked for Xerox and clocked up so many hours in one week I met myself getting up as I was going to bed, 24 hours standby. Glad to be retired. I now find myself on another 24 hour cycle but nowadays is mostly Zzzz time. gif Eat sleep & banjo.

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#10

Ahhh, I see. Good catch. Been a “student” of JD’s style and “licks” since I started back playing again. Many nuances in his playing most folks don’t catch but sets him apart. Enjoy the JD journey.

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