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User Name Thread Name Subject Posted
CarlZen Tune Req: Foggy Mountain Breakdown (10) RE: tab request:Foggy m.Breakdown 04 Sep 99


qrs - Earl Scruggs book has been through several printings, and I wouldn't be surprised if it is still available. Of course, I wouldn't be surprised if it isn't available, either. A good music store should be able to let you know if it's in or out of print. The title is "Earl Scruggs and the Five String Banjo". My copy (dated 1968) was published by Peer International. It has Foggy Mtn. Breakdown in it, as well as lots of other great Scruggs stuff.

An interesting side note on the book is that Bill Keith had been such a banjo fanatic that he'd tabbed out everything he could by Scruggs. Eventually Earl found out and invited him out to Nashville to work on the book with Earl. It was while in Nashville that Keith met Bill Monroe. Kieth was just developing his "melodic style" of playing fiddle tunes on the banjo. Monroe heard the medley of Sailor's Hornpipe and Devil's Dream and asked Bill Kieth to join up with the Bluegrass Boys.

Bill Kieth accepted, and Bill Monroe, being Bill Monroe, made him use the name Brad (I believe), since there could only be one Bill in the band.

If you've ever heard any of Bill Kieth's early melodic picking, especially on tunes like "Lola", "Auld Lang Syne", and my favorite, Duke Ellington's "Caravan", you can hear musical history ringing out from his resonator.

Sorry for getting side tracked. I also meant to say that a search of used book sites might lead you to the Scruggs Book. Good Luck!


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