“If Teardrops Were Pennies” intro: Take 3

[Frank Freniere]

Talk about earworms in a good way, this is it: third and final attempt to get this Lloyd lick right. And yes, Tommy, it’s in C#.

If Teardrops Were Pennies

Cool Steve Fishell story about this song HERE.




No idea how Lloyd got that little lick in the second measure without a sixth string lower.

Dolly Porter teardrops

[Brett Resnick]

I was doing a little late night tab cruise and found this. Don’t think I’d ever heard this cut before. Frank’s tab got me thinking about how Lloyd approached it. Great intro per usual from Lloyd. Did some restructuring to Frank’s tab and this is how I think Lloyd might’ve played it. Don’t write tabs often so hopefully you can translate my chicken scratch.

[Frank Freniere]

I like the way it lays, Brett - thanks!

BTW it looks like this sweet intro was done by Stu Basore: https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=162500

[Sam Inglis]

A question from a beginner if you don't mind -- the basic outline of this intro is much easier if you play the first five notes at the ninth fret as shown in Brett's tab, then slide directly to the 16th and play the next two full bars there using just the A and B pedals. But I'm guessing you hear something in the performance that tells you it wasn't done that way -- what?

[Frank Freniere]

A question from a beginner if you don't mind -- the basic outline of this intro is much easier if you play the first five notes at the ninth fret as shown in Brett's tab, then slide directly to the 16th and play the next two full bars there using just the A and B pedals. But I'm guessing you hear something in the performance that tells you it wasn't done that way -- what?

Fair question.

I hear a tension or tautness in the first five notes that finally led me to choose the pedals-down position at fret 14. The heavier strings just don't sustain well at that altitude, giving it more of a pinched, clipped sound, which is what I wanted.

Ease of playing is often a major consideration in tabbing. But because this passage isn't particularly difficult technically, I kept trying different positions until I found one that synced up best with what's in my head and my hands. And Brett's take was brand new for me.

[Sam Inglis]

Thank you for the insight, Frank!