Gettin Up Stairs

Comment by Silas Tackitt on December 8, 2011 at 3:03pm

I recognized that page from the Daniel Emmett book mentioned in the Jim Crow thread.  I copied that same page yesterday before I left for work.  While sitting around waiting for my case to get called, I transposed it into G/D and tabbed it.  Played it last night and put the B part back into the original key as this part sounded a little too low. 

I found a copy of that book at my local library and have been having a pretty good time going through it.  I was pleased to find "Bow Wow Wow" in the book.  I'd seen it mentioned as the tune in some songsters.  I had looked for the tune, didn't find it, then gave up.  And now I've got it. 

Comment by Silas Tackitt on December 8, 2011 at 3:40pm

I tabbed two songs yesterday.  In reviewing today's song to tab, I noticed that it was Long Tail Blue from that book that I transposed and tabbed.  Nothing to transpose on the book's version of Gettin' Up Stairs because it's already in G. 

Now to tab Bow Wow Wow.

Comment by Tim Twiss on December 8, 2011 at 9:09pm

Rice gives us a version in A, (which parallels the G version). Glee Book is Bb. I am experimenting with a version down a P4 from the above key of G. Presents new opportunities, and a good vocal range. We'll see where it ends up. 

  Silas..you gonna play one?

Comment by Silas Tackitt on December 8, 2011 at 10:15pm

Lame excuse #1 : I don't have the video set up. 

Lame excuse #2 : You guys are great.  I'm not worthy. 

Lame excuse #3 :                              (Fill in the blank.)

Comment by Tim Twiss on December 8, 2011 at 11:27pm

maybe next time...we'll see what we get out of this forgotten nugget

Comment by Tim Twiss on December 9, 2011 at 10:55pm

I've been through about 10 scenarios with this tune....tempos, key, groove. Trying to find one thing that is my own interpretation....but thinking about how it was in the past. Well, we just can't have the past...but we can reflect on it as we bring it into the present.

Comment by Tim Twiss on December 9, 2011 at 10:56pm

I guess what I'm saying is....understand the tune...then, take the liberties.

Comment by John Masciale on December 10, 2011 at 12:04am

I went through much the same process.  I tried to imagine how it might have been performed on stage.

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