The Steel Guitar Forum

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

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

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.

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

Thanx.
Jim

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

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