question about san antonio rose

[Butch Mullen]

I have been hanging around the forum for couple years listening and learning. Bob Wills playing San Antonio Rose starts out in the key of D with the chorus in A, then goes to the key of A with the chorus in E. What notes/chords does he use when he goes from the key of D to key of A. There are 3 or 4 notes/chords in it. Hope this is not too confusing. Thanks, Butch 28681

[Mike Kowalik]

D to F# to B(or B7th) to E and then to A

[Jeremiah Wade]

There are a couple of variations, the one Butch mentioned is common and sounds very hip. Another common version is to use D D# E with stops.

[Jim Bates]

Mike's version is what us western swing guys in Houston use when we want the 'original'.

Thanx.
Jim

[Jonathan Neher]

This question seems to be an endless topic
of conversation. The 40's recording is
out of tune by about 1/4 tone and makes people
hear what they want to hear. If you tune down
about 1/4 tone and listen to the bass and not the
horns, you'll hear:

|| / DD / | F F / / | / BbBb / | EbEb // ||

modulating to Ab

The D F# B E modulation is the one that
seems to be used if the fiddles can't play in
flat keys.

Here's a modern recording that does it the
original way (and you can hear it):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOGdMEemqWQ

[Jim Bates]

You have to be versatile! I have played in bands where key was in G (in fact I play it on dobro in G).
If you want to play copy-cat (or 'covers') for an original, then do it. But, I learned to play it in the key the band leader (who paid me!) said to play it. You can figure a way to get it into the key the singer needs - it doesn't have to be same as Tommy Duncan!

Thanx,
Jim