wabash cannonball help

JoeVela80 · #1 07-16-2003, 10:51 PM

I am new to fingerpicking and am trying to learn this song. I have been playing with the Merle Travis style of fingerpicking and am getting descent at it. My question is for this song (Wabash Cannoball) what are the chords and is there a pattern to picking this song. I am trying to finger out the chords and the pattern and determining the pattern if there is one is hard. So if anyone has any pointers let me know please.
Joe

Chip · #2 07-17-2003, 06:36 AM

I have chets version in dropped d but am at work and cannot remember where i got it. I wiill check and let you know later.

JoeVela80 · #3 07-17-2003, 09:37 AM

thanks

rcr · #4 07-17-2003, 02:21 PM

Hi Joe:
I'm not a fingerpicker, so I'm no help with patterns, but the chords couldn't be much simpler: I, IV, V, in that order. No bridge; the song just repeats endlessly.

Bob

Chip · #5 07-17-2003, 03:59 PM

go to www.frettedinstrumentsnyc.com and click on music then click on Chet. They have quite a few arrangements.Hope you find this helpful.

sharon conley · #6 07-17-2003, 04:28 PM

All I can tell you about Wabash Cannonball is: if you have someone singing the song, pick a key they they can sing it in and roll with it. Like one of the previous replies, it's basically a 3 chord song. Find where you want to play it, then consult a bluegrass expert. They will probably play it in G. I sang it for many years in the key of E with an amazing intro that went from E to D to C, then kicked into the E - A - B pattern. We also did a break in the middle of the song with the same E - D - C. Just a new little twist on a great old tune. Sorry I can't help with the picking part.

guitarbob · #7 07-18-2003, 05:31 AM

If you want a great solo arrangement (that unfortunately is probably far beyond the ability of moral men) take a look at the new Doyle Dykes songbook. His version is in there. The book also comes with a CD of Doyle performing all the songs.