Building a Traditional Tune Repertoire

Sally Goodin'

(Key of A)

The Tune:

Sally Goodin, also known as (aka) Sally Goodin', Sally Gooden or Sally Goodun, is often listed as one of the top American Fiddle tunes to know & play. Many different versions of this tune exist, with regional variations of melody, licks & even chords (Texas style).

Techniques:

• Overview of Tune: Though traditional tunes usually have 2 parts (A & B), each consisting of 8 measures, which are repeated before going on to the next part, Sally Goodin seems to be played with only 1 each of Parts A & B (unless you consider that there are 2 Parts A & B, each consisting of 4 measures). Each time the tune is repeated try adding some different variation of notes to the melody.



• Chords: This tune consists of only 2 chords: A (I) is the main chord, & E (V) is played as a turn-around 2 measures from the end of each repeated part. Other arrangements, such as Texas-style, will spice up the tune by adding multiple chord voicings, which change for each measure.



• Pick Strokes: Pick all 1/4 notes with Downstrokes & all paired 1/8 notes with Down/Upstrokes. A syncopated pick stroke occurs in measures 7, 8, 12 & 13, in which the last 1/8 note, played with an Upstroke, follows a 1/8 note rest after the initial 1/4 note Downstroke.

Variations:

1. Intro: Try different ways to start this tune: Use a traditional opening kick-off, to count in the rhythm before starting the tune, by adding 4 extra measures of strumming open A & E strings; Lead-in with a simple 2 note intro; In the first full measure, slide into the first note, from the 3rd to the 4th fret (C > C#) of the A strings.








2. Slides: When sliding up to a note, use the finger that would normally be used on the fret you end up on. In Measure 1, slide into first note; in the last Measure 8 of Part A, slide from the 4th to the 7th fret of the D strings; In Part B, Measure 9, slide up to 7th fret on the D strings, while playing the open A strings; in Measure 13, slide from the 4th to 5th, then up to 7th fret on the A strings.