dhergert - Posted - 01/02/2016:  22:31:56

Hi,

The score that I originally purchased years ago for Ashokan Farwell has it written in D.

I've now seen the same score also written in C.

The recordings that I can find of Jay Ungar playing it have it in D.

Playing in C has the advantage of reaching the low G for fiddle and mando, which to me sounds nicer...

Playing in D usually satisfies the wishes of the banjoist, the guitarist and the bassist.  (Although I also play banjo and will happily play it in either key).

If this is a song you like to play, what key do you prefer to play it in?

Thanks,

-- Don

Texasbanjo - Posted - 01/03/2016:  04:40:59

Most times if it's played in a jam, it's in D so I'd learn it in D. 

UsuallyPickin - Posted - 01/03/2016:  05:57:02

D.... I've yet to hear it played in another key at a Jam... R/

dhergert - Posted - 01/03/2016:  12:22:46

Well, here's what my playing of this song sounds like in C... I do like getting that low G in.



But you guys are right, you really have to play what the rest of the jam knows.

Ashokan Farewell

 

UsuallyPickin - Posted - 01/03/2016:  13:06:26

Nicely done. Playing any fiddle tune in an odd key is a good exercise for learning the fingerboard more thoroughly. So play them in any key that suits your fancy. Just be remember what key is "usual" when in mixed company..... R/

Jandante - Posted - 01/03/2016:  21:37:01

We play Ashokan Farewell in D.  First off we had the lead sheet with no lyrics and it was difficult for everyone to keep together, but now with the lyrics as well, we can follow them silently, and no problems.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 01/04/2016:  04:49:19

I know this is probably heresy, but you could play it out of C and capo up to D.  (Okay, everyone, don't shout, I know you're not supposed to use a capo on a mandolin, but it would work). 

dhergert - Posted - 01/04/2016:  10:13:41

Funny you should ask that...   I was going to ask the same thing. 

I absolutely won't use a capo on a banjo (no time for tuning between songs on TV, and also I hate the banjo-tuning jokes).  And, I am trying to also learn the neck well enough not use a capo on mando... 

But I didn't know if using a capo on mando will upset the balance of the universe or not.

Thoughts?

-- Don

Donnie - Posted - 01/08/2016:  11:01:47

The problem with playing it in the key of C is your backup guitarist. In the key of D, there is a C chord involved in it, but in the key of C there is a B chord invoived.In afew of the circles I've played in, there are a few beginners, That B chord, barred or not, is a bit of a stuggle for them; C is easier for sure.
Love that tune, it became an instant classic didn't it!

dhergert - Posted - 01/11/2016:  18:16:48

Donnie >> Love that tune, it became an instant classic didn't it!

Yup, it's one of my favorite pieces too... 

I can play a different arrangement of Ashokan Farewell in D, but it's not as nice sounding as my C arrangement which reaches down to the low G.  

Sherry >> I know this is probably heresy, but you could play it out of C and capo up to D.

Well, I've picked up a capo for my mando. The capo does easily resolve that issue in D to reach down to the low A. 

I don't know if it's socially acceptable to use a capo or not, but I figure I'm already out in the wings anyway because I'm using taropatch C tuning, so for me, using a capo probably isn't going to make the social aspect any worse.

The capo is a nice, discrete Price capo and just sits about 3/4" behind the nut most of the time; I'll pull it forward for a few songs when it's worthwhile using the capo.  Using a capo at all isn't my preference but it gets the job done -- if I were using the mando in the studio like I do the banjo, I'd never use a capo, but I'm not there with the mando yet.

Thanks for the shared wisdom here...

-- Don

Edited by - dhergert on 01/11/2016 18:29:59

Donnie - Posted - 01/12/2016:  10:04:40

You may get a few "sideways," glances at using a capo on your mandolin, but you keeping on using it if that's your style. On the cover of one of the "Circle" recordings by the Dirt Band (possibly #2), theres a capo on a mando on the cover. Keep playing, enjoying, and furthering the MANDOLIN WAY OF KNOWLEDGE!

dhergert - Posted - 01/12/2016:  10:23:47

Thanks Donnie... 

And yes, there it is on the "Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Volume Two" album cover, a capo on a F style mando, possibly in the hands of Ricky Skaggs himself.

Fun stuff...

-- Don

mmuussiiccaall - Posted - 01/15/2016:  04:21:32

quote:

---

Originally posted by Donnie

 

The problem with playing it in the key of C is your backup guitarist. In the key of D, there is a C chord involved in it, but in the key of C there is a B chord invoived.In afew of the circles I've played in, there are a few beginners, That B chord, barred or not, is a bit of a stuggle for them; C is easier for sure.

Love that tune, it became an instant classic didn't it!

---

That chord is a Bb in the key of C which is a barre chord. In the key of D there is a Bm chord which is a barre chord also. I guess what I am saying is that this song is not for novice guitarists.

mmuussiiccaall - Posted - 01/15/2016:  04:26:44

quote:

---

Originally posted by dhergert

 

Well, here's what my playing of this song sounds like in C... I do like getting that low G in.



But you guys are right, you really have to play what the rest of the jam knows.

---

You are getting this done by "fudging" the melody ( nicely done matter of fact). The original key of D has a low open G in the melody five different times. So lowering the key a whole step to C would call for a low F which cannot be done on a mandolin or fiddle.

dhergert - Posted - 01/15/2016:  09:17:00

Rick >> You are getting this done by "fudging" the melody ( nicely done matter of fact). The original key of D has a low open G in the melody five different times. So lowering the key a whole step to C would call for a low F which cannot be done on a mandolin or fiddle.

Ohhh, thanks for mentioning that -- I didn't realize that at all...  Interesting how our minds generalize things when we're making our own arrangements of songs.  I'll have to review the original version.  I may end up leaving the arrangement as is, but I do care about where the major variations are.

-- Don

Edited by - dhergert on 01/15/2016 09:17:36