I had a request from a guy called Andrew Christie to do an instructional video on Brownie McGhee's "Sporting Life Blues" I haven't played this for years, but thought it would be good to reacquaint myself with it. So here it is - in the key of E, using normal speed, slowed-down speed and chord diagrams.

It's at: How to play "Sporting Life Blues" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN9jOBbKTus)

Free music, tab and chords of my arrangement available as usual from:

My tabs web page (http://www.mjra.net/WillFly/tabs.shtml)

Regards to all,

Will

Thanks as always Will. I recently started playing that one myself as it's on that J.J. Cale and Clapton album that came out a year or 2 ago. You gave me some good ideas to work on.. :thumb

thanks Will   :donut :coffee

I was wondering......
while you have the equipment set up......
could you perhaps....
also do an instructional video for ' Life is Like a Mountain Railway '
using the Travis pattern  ???
I'll buy it from you.

- Larry

Quote from: lw216316 on May 17, 2009, 01:54:57 PM
thanks Will   :donut :coffee

I was wondering......
while you have the equipment set up......
could you perhaps....
also do an instructional video for ' Life is Like a Mountain Railway '
using the Travis pattern  ???
I'll buy it from you.

- Larry

Don't know it, offhand - but I'll investigate...

Will

thanks Will-
It is titled
Life is Like a Mountain Railway
or
Life's Railway to Heaven

here's a version by Johnny Cash ==>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ-T_tryaE0

here's a Pasty Cline / Willie Nelson version at slow tempo ====>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezuCEkcOV9E&feature=related

here are the chords and lyrics
===>http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/m/misc_traditional/life_is_like_a_mountain_railway_crd.htm

It is a very famous old time bluegrass / gospel / country song-
Along the lines of your cover of "There will be a happy meeting'

There are many versions on youtube.

I'm having trouble with the phrasing and syncopation while doing it as an instrumental in Travis style.

- Larry

Will, this was great.  What I like is that the tabs are simple, but your performance of the tune shows the artistry with which it can be embellished.  A nice study to go back and forth between playing it straight and unadorned and learning your techniques to make it so musical.  Youtube is a fabulous thing.

Thanks for dropping this one our way.

Just checked it out on YT - it's "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" with a middle 8...

OK - I'll see what I can do.

Will

QuoteJust checked it out on YT - it's "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" with a middle 8... 

Hi Will,
Is this your response to my post ?
If so,
the song "Will the Circle be unbroken" is a DIFFERENT song than Life's Railway to heaven.
Johnny Cash made an album called "Will the Circle be unbroken" - it was the featured song on that album.
Life's Railway to heaven is another cut on that same album.

....just wanted to avoid any confusion.
In the link I provided you, Johnny is singing "Life's Railway to Heaven".
The video was made during the actual live recording of that album.

Johnny's version is my favorite of those I've seen on youtube.

-thanks for looking at it.
IF you can provide an instructional video using Travis style alternating bass - I'll buy it from you.
Its a very popular tune and I suspect others would be interested also.

cheers,
Larry

Great stuff Will.  Thank You!!

Quote from: lw216316 on May 18, 2009, 07:13:10 AM
Hi Will,
Is this your response to my post ?

No - not at all - I was merely commenting that the structure is very similar to the "Will The Circle..."! I actually sat down last night and jotted down the music for the melody, using a version by Patsy Cline. Her voice was very clear and always on the melody. Then I added some lower notes according to the chord structure. I shall try it on guitar tonight and see how it works out. She sings it in D, but it might work out more interesting as an instrumental in a different key...

Cheers,

Will

Quoteit might work out more interesting as an instrumental in a different key...

I'm currently working on it in C.
The phrasing is giving me problems,...
seems like the phrases are starting on the 3rd beat rather than 1st -

Since I've just recently learned the Travis style....this is a lot for me to digest at this time.
I'm an advanced beginner - so I'm still learning this stuff...
thats why I like your instructional videos so much - very good teaching.  :thumb

- Larry

Quote from: lw216316 on May 19, 2009, 07:45:00 AMThe phrasing is giving me problems,...
seems like the phrases are starting on the 3rd beat rather than 1st -

Yes - each phrase of the song actually starts on either the 2nd or 3rd beat of the bar before the main pulse of the phrase. That's why - quite apart from the similarities in the melodies - it's so like "Will The Circle Be Unbroken". So, for example:

- - Will the | CIRCLE | - - be un | BROKen | - - by and | BYE, Lord, etc.

Will

QuoteYes - each phrase of the song actually starts on either the 2nd or 3rd beat of the bar before the main pulse of the phrase. That's why - quite apart from the similarities in the melodies - it's so like "Will The Circle Be Unbroken". So, for example:- - Will the | CIRCLE | - - be un | BROKen | - - by and | BYE, Lord, etc. Will

AHHHHH  HAAAAA !
that's why I'm having trouble, couple that phrasing with Travis style and this will be
a 'NEXT LEVEL' for me......
It's a stretcccccccccccch , but "I think I can.....I think I can.... :bgrin:

"2nd OR 3RD"  - well, at least I caught on to the 2nd - I'll have to look for the 3rd -

You've been a great help already, can't wait to see a demonstration video ! :thumb

- Larry