"Tell Her to Come Back Home" by John Fahey
Added 2022-04-01 13:01:11 +0000 UTCWelcome back friends. Happy April 1st, I'm so glad to see so many of you back again, thank you.
Several people suggested this tune earlier in the month and it was a wonderful choice, so here we are. "Tell Her to Come Back Home" was originally recorded for The Transfiguration of Blind Joe Death in the summer of 1965. Only 50 copies of this record were originally pressed in August of 65, with handwritten and individually numbered labels (does anyone have an original copy??). The labels were titled John Fahey Vol IV, indicating that it may have originally been intended to fit in between The Dance of Death and Other Plantation Favorites and The Great San Bernardino Birthday Party and Other Excursions. It was, however, pressed a second time in February 1976 on the Riverboat Records label, this time bearing the title John Fahey, Vol. 5, The Transfiguration of Blind Joe Death.
The middle section of the piece is based on Uncle Dave Macon's "Tell Her to Come Back Home." Fahey's introduction and ending is a slight departure from the more conventional harmonies used in the middle section, rocking back and forth between C sus2 and an F sus2 chords.
This is a simple tune, yet the backwards bass in the middle section and nuance in the slid chords will present a few challenges well worth overcoming. I hope everyone enjoys this wonderful arrangement, and you'll be hearing from me again soon with some additional news I'd like to share and receive your feedback on.
YouTube recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO8eEDVfLWY
Tier 2 patron YouTube lesson: https://youtu.be/o1Pp-4uF6UY
Transcription attached!
Comments
For me playing with the fingers gives my hand more freedom of movement. I feel when I try to play with the ring finger my hand get too anchored to the strings, if that makes sense.
Josh Cleary
2022-05-29 01:28:33 +0000 UTCQuick question if you have the time: I play thumb, index, middle, ring on all tunes. I know many greats (like Fahey) play thumb, index, middle. I tried for a bit but I just prefer the former. Do you think its worth it scaling down to thumb, findex, middle? I might noticed it flows better that way for these kind of tunes. Im not sure though. I am wondering on your take on this. You seem to be very easily able to adapt between 1,2,3 fingers depending on the song. I play everything just thumb+ index, middle ring because that feels most natural to me. Really curious on your take on this. Thanks
Timo -
2022-05-14 09:47:16 +0000 UTCGreat transcription, thanks. Absolutely beautifull piece. Love playing Fahey tunes.
Timo -
2022-05-14 09:39:40 +0000 UTC
