Steel Guitar Rag
Steel Guitar Rag
Performed By: Bob Wills
The Steel Guitar Rag as sung by Merle Travis
(G)Been travelin' around, seen many a town,
Maybe you'll find I'm the (D7)kind of guy that (G)brags.
But take it from me and (G7)see, if(C) you don't a(G)gree
No melody rolls, like that(D7) ole steel guitar(G) rag.
And when they(C) slide that thing, a(G)long the strings
It(A7) sounds so dawg gone heavenly, you'll(D7) hear them angels sing
When you(C) start your feet, you're(G) heart will beat,
A (D7)rhythm of that ole steel guitar (G)rag.
You maybe kinda choosy about the kind of songs you hear,
You may like them that's bluesy , make you(D7) cry right in your beer,
But(G) if you want a song that's bound to(C) drive away your tears,
Make happy your(G) soul with that(D7) ole Steel Guitar(G) Rag
STEEL GUITAR EDITION
(Second Version)
AUTHORS NOTES
This is a very simplistic version. You should add your own grace
notes, etc. and make it SWING. I haven't indicated any timing (anyone
know of a tab writing program for the Mac that can be adapted to the
Steel Guitar?). Listen to the many recordings for timing. My favorite
is the 1935 Texas Playboys' version, with Leon(at age 18) playing it.
I have indicated a few chords, so if you get people to play this
with you it will make it easier. Most people really like playing this
song regardless of their axe.
My Copedant:
F A B C D G E
# note LKL Ped1 Ped2 Ped3 LKR RKL RKR
1 F# _________________________________+G_________
2 D# ______________________________________-D/C#_
3 G# _____________+A_____________________________
4 E __+F_______________+F#___-Eb________________
5 B _______+C#_________+C#______________________
6 G# _____________+A_____________________________
7 F# ____________________________________________
8 E __+F_____________________-Eb________________
9 D _______________________________________-C#__
10 B _______+C#__________________________________
Notes: ^ = slide up
H = hammer on with the bar
Part 1(Played, basically on open strings, and using the tip of the bar
to "fret" the various notes.)
1 F# ____________________________________________________________________
2 D# ____________________________________________________________________
3 G# ____________________________________________________________________
4 E ________0_3^4________0_2^3________0_3^4_2_0________________0_3^4____
5 B _0_0H2________0_0H2________0_0H2____________2_0______0_0H2__________
6 G# ________________________________________________0___________________
7 F# ____________________________________________________________________
8 E ___________________________________________________0________________
9 D ____________________________________________________________________
10 B ____________________________________________________________________
1 F# ____________________________________________________________________
2 D# ____________________________________________________________________
3 G# ____________________________________________________________________
4 E _0_6^7__0_3_2_0__________0_3^4__2_0_________________________________
5 B ___________________0_0H2_____________2_0_____________________________
6 G# _________________________________________0__________________________
7 F# ____________________________________________________________________
8 E ____________________________________________0_______________________
9 D ____________________________________________________________________
10 B ____________________________________________________________________
Part 2(Parts 2&3 are played all on strings 4,5,&6, with the bar flat
on the strings. Part 2 is the only part using any pedals. Purists may
want to find a way to do it without the pedals.)
CHORD A E F# B
1 F# ____________________________________________________________________
2 D# ____________________________________________________________________
3 G# ____________________________________________________________________
4 E _4^5_____5___2F^3F______________2______2___________7_____7__6_______
5 B _____5_____________3A_____________2______2___________7______________
6 G# _______5______________3____1^2______2______2___6^7_____7____________
7 F# ____________________________________________________________________
8 E ____________________________________________________________________
9 D ____________________________________________________________________
10 B ____________________________________________________________________
CHORD A E F# B E
1 F# ____________________________________________________________________
2 D# ____________________________________________________________________
3 G# ____________________________________________________________________
4 E _5______5___2F^3F______________2______7__________12________12_______
5 B ___5_______________3A_______________________________12______________
6 G# _____5________________3___1^2_____6^7_____11^12________12___________
7 F# ____________________________________________________________________
8 E ____________________________________________________________________
9 D ____________________________________________________________________
10 B ____________________________________________________________________
Part 3
1 F# ____________________________________________________________________
2 D# ____________________________________________________________________
3 G# ____________________________________________________________________
4 E _______12_______12_______________12_______12________________________
5 B __________12_______12_______________12______________________________
6 G# _11^12_______12_______12___11^12_______12___________________________
7 F# ____________________________________________________________________
8 E ____________________________________________________________________
9 D ____________________________________________________________________
10 B ____________________________________________________________________
1 F# ____________________________________________________________________
2 D# ____________________________________________________________________
3 G# ____________________________________________________________________
4 E _______12_______12______________7______7____________________________
5 B __________12_______12_____________7_________________________________
6 G# _11^12_______12_______12___6^7______7_______________________________
7 F# ____________________________________________________________________
8 E ____________________________________________________________________
9 D ____________________________________________________________________
10 B ____________________________________________________________________
1 F# ____________________________________________________________________
2 D# ____________________________________________________________________
3 G# ____________________________________________________________________
4 E _______12_______12______________5______5____________________________
5 B __________12_______12_____________5_________________________________
6 G# _11^12_______12_______12___4^5______5_______________________________
7 F# ____________________________________________________________________
8 E ____________________________________________________________________
9 D ____________________________________________________________________
10 B ____________________________________________________________________
Ending (or add a turnaroun