Mississippi John Hurt Tabs posted

Subject: Mississippi John Hurt Tabs posted
From: khandu
Date: 15 Apr 08 - 05:38 PM

I have sent 20+ Mississippi John Hurt songs which I have transcribed to tablature to Frank Delaney, who has posted them on the MJH Museum website.

They include several of his "standards" and a few of his more obscure songs, including a number of his gospel renditions.

The tunes use the "RandyTab" Tablature/Midi Program which must be downloaded to open the files. It is a very small, free and quickly installed program. It is a very easy to use program which can be used to write one's on tablature. It is available HERE

I have transcribed these as accurately as I know how to play them. No doubt, there are mistakes; however, I think these will definitely help anyone wants to learn these songs.

They are:
Ain't Nobody Like You
Avalon Blues
Baby What's Wrong With You
Candy Man Blues
Casey Jones
Coffee Blues
Corinna Corinna
Do Lord, Remember Me
Just Over in the Glory Land
Here I Am, Oh Lord Send Me
I Shall Not Be Moved
Joe Turner Blues
Louis Collins
Three Song Blend (Avalon My Hometown, Moanin' the Blues, Lonesome Blues)
Let The Mermaids Flirt With Me
Monday Morning Blues
Make Me A Pallet On Your Floor
Nearer My God To Thee
Poor Boy, Long Way From Home
Hey Baby Right Away
Shake That Thing
You Are My Sunshine
Weeping and Wailing
What A Friend We Have in Jesus

This is the direct link to these tabs.

ken

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt Tabs posted
From: Peace
Date: 15 Apr 08 - 06:39 PM

Wow. That is great work, Ken.

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt Tabs posted
From: Peace
Date: 15 Apr 08 - 06:48 PM

Ken, how long did it take you to do each song?

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt Tabs posted
From: Tweed
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 06:33 AM

"Ken, how long did it take you to do each song?"

What a stupid question!
Sorry Peace, but it is.

One does not inquire of Royalty about such things. Know you not who KHANDU is?

And now he should be considered for a "Keeping the Blues Alive Award" for these transcriptions.

Please, Peace, go ye know with head bowed low and never look into the face of the King of All Things Mississippi as you exit the throneroom or face death from the teeth of forty marsupials with snaketails.

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt Tabs posted
From: Tinker
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 08:02 AM

I can't get my computer to open the files. It keeps telling me there is a parenthesis(sp?) missing in line 0.

UGH-- but I'll try again later. there are a couple of Gospel pieces I really want to see.

Thanks!

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt Tabs posted
From: khandu
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 08:57 AM

Tinker, did you download the RandyTab program before attempting to open the files?
Peace, transcription can be done rather quickly on most of the songs. Songs such as "Candy Man Blues" takes a bit longer since it is a rather complicated tune.
The simpler ones can be done in 15-30 minutes.
Of course, as with everything else, practice on the RandyTab speeds things up.

Tweed...you are to be commended for your lightning fast defense of the King. You are to be severely humiliated for your lack of understanding and compassion toward those who are not familiar with Royal Protocol.
Kk

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt Tabs posted
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 09:12 AM

King, I really need to hear MP3s of the gospel ones that are not already up there. We already use one of his regularly in church (Blessed Be the Name) and I'd like to add a few I have never heard. My computer is not liking RandyTab (puder's fault, not RandyTab's.)

Can you help me out?

~Susan

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt Tabs posted
From: Peace
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 09:53 AM

"or face death from the teeth of forty marsupials with snaketails."

Usually I have to pay for that. Cool.



I don't understand how this stuff works but I'm sure glad it does. Thanks, Ken.

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt Tabs posted
From: Chris in Portland
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 10:46 AM

Very nice job with the tablature.
Hope you will keep tabbing folk material.
Would really like to see some of Rev. Davis' songs - even if it is simplified.
Thanks, Chris

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt Tabs posted
From: PoppaGator
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 11:22 AM

Wow!

Last year, I contributed a (very) few Randytab transcriptions to Frank's MJH Museum site, and sort-of intended to continue working up more of them, but real-life problems have intervened and I failed to continue my project.

At least one of the many numbers on Khandu's long list of transcriptons duplicates a song I had contributed earlier: to wit, "Let the Mermaids Flirt with Me." I'll be checking the site soon enough, to see if there are any differences between our two interpretations. And also, of course, to learn a few new songs.

Over the years, I've studied and learned so many of John Hurt songs in the keys of C and D that when I hear a new song of his (or even one in his style) in either of those keys, I can pretty much picture and identify all the licks. But when I hear his songs in other keys (and especially those in other tunings besides "standard"), I have no idea what he's doing and can't begin to figure out how to play it. Ken seems to have covered a wide variety of Hurt's pieces, in a fairly complete array of the many keys and tunings used by this great master.

My first stab at writing out a guitar arrangement in Randytab took me no more than a half-hour, and the next was even quicker. (Those two efforts were the aforementioned "Mermaids" and the key-of-G version of "Chicken.") The software provides a blank staff, that is, a framework in which to work, so you can get right down to the task at hand with little or no "prep" time. As you put down each note, you hear it, which provides an instant check on your work, and after you write out a line or two, you can play it back and hear how it sounds, to further verify that you're on the right track. (I find it a little trickier to get the timing right ~ half-notes vs quarter-notes, etc. ~ than to put down the correct notes.)

If you're already "tab-literate," and you already know how to play the piece you're transcribing, it's really a piece of cake.

My only reservation about Frank's decision to use the free Randytab program is that readers need to download the program not only to enjoy all its features and listen to the transcription, they need the program to even see the tabs. Folks like Susan who, for one reason or another can't make Randytab work on their machines, should certainly have access to good old-fashioned printed tabs even if they cannot enjoy the full effect of listening while looking. It would be nice if the software had an export feature that would output transcriptions into readily visible text (or graphic) form accessible to all. Well, it's freeware, and beggars can't be choosers.

Recently ~ just within the last week or two ~ there was a Mudcat thread requesting tabs for Mississippi John Hurt's "Here I Am, Lord Send Me." I see that this is one of the motherlode of songs that Ken just posted.

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt Tabs posted
From: PoppaGator
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 11:32 AM

I just checked the MJH Museum website, and Ken's newest tabs haven't yet appeared; there are still only seven pieces credited to him as of this morning. His latest efforts will probably at least double the number of songs available, as soon as Frank is able to post them.

Frank is a volunteer webmaster located in Seattle who maintains the site for a Mississippi-based nonprofit outfit, and I assume he's occupied with a day job as well as his volunteer duties. It might take a day or two before this huge selection of tabs becomes available.

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt Tabs posted
From: Tweed
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 11:37 AM

"You are to be severely humiliated for your lack of understanding and compassion toward those who are not familiar with Royal Protocol."

It is my raisins-debt, My Liege, and aslo why I visit Mudcat upon occasion.

I will be in the Holy Lands this weekend on the western boundarys of the Khingdom of Mizippi in a place called Clarksdale. I invite you to join us in merrymaking and you could entertain some thoughts about transcribing the works of T-Model Ford and HoneyBoy Edwards who will be there performing their works for the publick at large.

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt Tabs posted
From: Cool Beans
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 03:07 PM

OK, I'll bite. Who are you, khandu?

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt Tabs posted
From: PoppaGator
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 04:13 PM

To Chris in Portland who is looking for Gary Davis tabs, and anyone else with similar interests:

The MJH Museum website provides tabs for MJH songs only, but the Randytab website (which you'll visit if you follow the links from MJHM in order to download the program) provides space for users to post their transcriptions. It's been a while since I visited, but I recall that there were several very decent renditions of folk/country blues pieces by iconic artists other than John Hurt.

Not all the tabs on the Randytab site are particularly interesting; the administrators don't seem to exercise any quality control, or at least they weren't doing so last time I looked. They are glad to post the work of anyone actually using their free product, apparently. I sent them one or two of my own (non-MJH) transcriptions a couple of years back; they were posted with no questions asked, and I got a form-letter-type thank-you note via email.

Don't be discouraged if the first sample you look at is disappointing; there are some real gems to be found there, if you're willing to sort through some other stuff.

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt Tabs posted
From: khandu
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 04:39 PM

Poppa gator, the tabs have appeared. Frank chose to put them on a different page. I have a direct link posted in the first message in this thread.

HERE IT IS AGAIN.

BTW, I'm sure our versions of "Mermaids" will be quite similar.


Susan, if I were more literate, I would gladly help you out; but, at the moment, I am dumbstruck. Perhaps some more savvy Catter will chime in to help you. If I figure out how, I will respond.

Can you let me know which songs you are interested in?

Tweed, check yore e mail soon.

Who you gonna bite, Cool Beans?
I am khandu, King of the Ethereal Kingdom of Mississippi.

RandyTab has some limitations which need mention. One of the biggies is that it is useless on a Mac.
Also, the "slides", "bends", "pull-offs" and "hammer-ons" are very difficult to tab in a manner that sounds good on the MIDI playback. To compensate I have added on the tablature "in-between frets" of the slide. For example, for a 2nd fret slide to the 12th fret, which should be tabbed as "2/12" is tabbed "2/5/7/9/12". It is a bit clumsy but it sounds better on the MIDI playback than standard tabbing. Keep in mind, I do the tabs to help someone who wants to learn. I do not do these to make pretty sounds on the playback.

A couple of good things about RandyTab...you can speed up or slow down playback. You can change the guitar "voice" to any one of many instrument voices available.

All the RandyTabs I have heard capture only the mechanics of how the tune is played. They do not capture the personality of the musician of the "life" he puts into the music. Each player must add that himself.

I have considered tabbing songs by other artists. At this point, I have tabbed only MJH and several of my own creations. Perhaps later I will try Rev. Gary.

ken

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt Tabs posted
From: PoppaGator
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 06:06 PM

Hey Ken,

Sorry I missed that link first time around. I see it now. I won't be checking out any of your songs until I get home from work and reinstall Randytab on my home PC ~ I've upgraded my hard drive since the last time I used the program.

You're right about Randytab's limitations regarding hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides. If you notate a series of notes in the traditionally correct manner for printed tabs (and according to Randytab instructions), the midi playback sounds all wrong. I found, pretty much like you did, that simply depicting each note (even each quick little hammered-on or pulled-off note) as a separately-played note works best.

In my few stabs at transcribing in Randytab, I have tried to make the playback sound right. I think that's part of providing learning-materials that people can understand and use. I'm sure we don't really disagree about this, or at least not very much, but I'm expressing my viewpoint a bit differently than you.

Yeah, I agree that our respective takes on the same song will prove to be very much the same.

I hope all is well in your Etherial Kingdom...

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt Tabs posted
From: NormanD
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 12:49 PM

Somewhat frustrating that you can't download RandyTab to a Mac. I have it on my Windows laptop, but unfortunately that won't now connect to t'internet for the MJH tabs. I did pick up some of P-Gator's MJH tab transcripts in the past - for which, thanks very much.

Norman

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt Tabs posted
From: khandu
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 05:45 PM

No, Poppa, there is no disagreement. Because of the MIDI playback, I added the extra slide notes to make it sound better. But even with the added notes, the slides sound a bit odd, due to RandyTab limitations. I was saying that, regarding this oddness, I am more interested in presenting a file that would help someone wanting to learn, even if the playback sounds odd at the slides.

ken

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt Tabs posted
From: PoppaGator
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 06:20 PM

Norman: You're welcome!

Ken: Understood. Of course, weird as those faked slides might sound, it's not like there was any way you could have made 'em sound any better, given Randytab's limitations. (And I can certainly live with limitations in freeware. I'm still amazed at what Randytab CAN do, and how much fun it can be, just the way it is.)

I've tried in the past to promote some awareness and enthusiasm for Randytab among Mudcatters, and was surprised and a little disappointed at the response (and lack thereof). Maybe this HUGE contribution of new Randytab tabs will prompt a few more folks to consider it this time around.

I did learn that there are other programs that do the same thing, and presumably better, but at a price. I certainly understand why a person already conversant with such software would want to stick with the program they know, and that they bought. The only problem is, these tabs can be shared only among those who have installed the same software as each other, and a freeware alternative would seem to be the best choice for wide distribution.

IF it would run on the Mac, that is...

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt Tabs posted
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 06:42 PM

KK--

Just Over in the Glory Land
Here I Am, Oh Lord Send Me

~S~

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt Tabs posted
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Apr 08 - 10:52 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt Tabs posted
From: GUEST,YourFriendlyNanook
Date: 24 Jun 08 - 01:40 PM

Is there anyway to post the tabs in a txt format? I am a Mac user and cannot install RandyTab. I would love to read some of the tabs to learn these great MJH songs, but I do not have access to a Windows machine... is there any way to view these elsewise?

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt Tabs posted
From: The Sandman
Date: 25 Jun 08 - 08:02 AM

http://www.soundlantern.com/UpdatedSoundPage.do?ToId=3828&Path=gotthebluescantbesatisfied2.mp3not as good asMJH,but gives you an idea of the style.Dick Miles

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt Tabs posted
From: GUEST,Jenn
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 10:53 PM

Searching for waiting for a train tab. I have searched for hours on end, does it exist out there?

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt Tabs posted
From: pavane
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 06:47 AM

Re emulation of slides, hammers etc.

My program HARMONY (Not compatible with RandyTab notation) has facilities for applying user-defined MIDI effects, but I don't know if anyone has tried using them. Unfortunately I don't have the time to make up examples at present, except the few Bends which are already included.

Ideally, you could find, for example, a hammer that sounds good in a MIDI file, and use that as a template. (Maybe one recorded directly from a MIDI guitar). But this strategy does need software tools to examine the MIDI file code directly, to extract the information.

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt Tabs posted
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Dec 09 - 07:29 PM

My computer can't open RandyTabs either! Man! I got really excited when I saw that someone had tabbed out some of MJH's songs (The gospel oens in particular) But I can't view them at all.. :( Big bummer.

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt Tabs posted
From: GUEST,Eyolf Østrem
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 08:22 AM

Same problem here. If I try to open any of the .rat files in randytab, there is an error message that "This is not a valid RandyTab file". I can see that the copyright in the current version (1.1) is from 2000, and that the website that is indicated in the "about" window does no longer exist. I also notice that if I try to save a file from within RandyTab, the only available extension is ".rtab".
So, a question to all of you who have a working copy of randytab, could you please tell us which version you are running, perhaps also if you have an old installation file lying around (if it's some other version than 1.1)?

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt Tabs posted
From: GUEST,Kelley
Date: 05 Sep 11 - 08:36 PM

I have a mac computer. I tried downloading the RandyTab application (windows) and was not successful in getting it to work. Is there a mac equivalent? Or is there another place I can get tabs for "Here Am I, Oh Lord, Send Me"?

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt Tabs posted
From: The Sandman
Date: 06 Sep 11 - 01:19 PM

O

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt Tabs posted
From: The Sandman
Date: 06 Sep 11 - 04:08 PM

dont woorry about tab try thishttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7O-kOOhZQrs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvRxA8gR7bw&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-GN-BP_Qlk&feature=related