J-Walk - Posted - 09/23/2010:  16:17:20

Does anyone know the tuning Richie Stearns uses on Last Train To Rajasthan?

At first I thought it was standard A tuning, with the fifth string tuned up to C# (he uses some kind of 5th string capo). The I saw this video, in which he says, "I'm gonna take a minute and tune this banjo in a weird tuning":

ithaca.wishingwellmagazine.org...rajasthan

Another Horseflies video of the same tune:
youtube.com/watch?v=WXP7QGUxpFU

Yet another, with Neils Bonefaas on banjo:
youtube.com/watch?v=347zFLBbi2w

If you haven't heard it before, be careful. The tune is really infectious.

Delfield - Posted - 09/23/2010:  18:02:22

It's also the first tune (solo banjo) of this Richie Stearns concert: youtube.com/watch?v=tUp034j7t8k

I'd really like to know the tuning too. I'd also like to know more about Neils. He plays with the same style (almost the same movements) as Stearns. I almost wonder if he was tutored by him - with the Bonefass/Stearns connection, and all.

Jeff

ndlxs - Posted - 09/24/2010:  07:13:33

Great tune!

I think I got the tuning: definitely high C# on the 5th string, capo'ed up.

Low A, otherwise open A tuning, so the net tuning:

c#A1A2C#E

(A1 is an octave lower than A2)

With this, the ending melodic tag would just be hammer 0->1 on 3rd, then 2nd, then 0->3 on 1st string.

Andy Alexis
Banjos? In Sacramento?

J-Walk - Posted - 09/24/2010:  07:56:31

Thanks, Andy. That's the tuning alright.

I'll definitely be working on this one.

bluemule_77 - Posted - 09/24/2010:  16:40:34

I tried really hard to not like this tune. But I like it.

Edit: I don't really mean I tried not to like it. I meant that at first listen it didn't grab me. By the Bonefaas video, however, I was hooked.

Brian

Edited by - bluemule_77 on 09/24/2010 16:51:16

wormpicker - Posted - 09/24/2010:  17:53:30

The first time I watched it, it didn't do much for me either, but I'm listening it again now. Not hooked yet, but it's starting to pull.

Paul

J-Walk - Posted - 09/24/2010:  19:07:19

I've listened to it about 50 times now.

I snagged the audio from the Niells video, and slowed it down. I've figured out the notes for the first part. Now it's just a matter of playing them so it sounds like that. Yeah, right. Give me a year.

un5trung - Posted - 09/26/2010:  15:54:34

That video of the Horse Flies is way cool -- thanks for sharing!

Edited by - un5trung on 09/26/2010 15:55:04

claybanjo - Posted - 11/05/2010:  19:20:27

Been hooked on this tune since the very first time I heard it

atleson - Posted - 11/06/2010:  11:44:30

I've always been impressed with Ritchie's genius and thankful for the times i've been able to see and hear him live. I like this tune a lot, but never thought i could figure it out. I'd love some hints, in addition to the comments already on the tuning----or even a tab.

jim

claybanjo - Posted - 11/06/2010:  16:51:40

me too jim

J-Walk - Posted - 11/07/2010:  07:15:24

Here's something to get you started, jim. It's the basic melody notes for the A part only. Probably not exact, but pretty close. The first number is the string, and the number in parenthesis is the fret:

1(5) 2(7) 1(5) 5 1(5) 2(7) 1(0)
2(0) 2(2) 2(0) 2(2) 2(3) 2(0) 3(1) 3(0)

1(5) 2(7) 1(5) 5 1(5) 2(7) 1(0)
2(0) 2(2) 2(0) 2(2) 2(0) 1(3)

1(3) 2(5) 1(3) 5 1(3) 2(5) 1(0)
2(0) 2(2) 2(0) 2(2) 2(3) 2(0) 3(1) 3(0)

3(0) 3(1) 2(0) 2(1) 1(0) 5 1(3) 5 1(0) 2(0) 3(1) 3(0) 4(0)

Every note that's preceded by an open string is a hammer-on. Drop-thumb is required. I omitted a few 5th sting plucks, which keep the rhythm going. Once the tune is firmly established in your head, those should be obvious.

A good way to learn it is to record the audio from this video, beginning at around 1:50

youtube.com/watch?v=tUp034j7t8k

Then use your slow-down software and work on one part at a time. And refer to this video to see where the fingers go:

youtube.com/watch?v=347zFLBbi2w

Edited by - J-Walk on 11/07/2010 15:25:43

Jim_R - Posted - 11/07/2010:  18:34:54

Thanks for that lesson, J-Walk. Great tune.

claybanjo - Posted - 11/08/2010:  06:05:16

Yeah thanks very much

conohawk - Posted - 11/09/2010:  19:33:35

I love straight Old Time. But the kind of fusion demonstrated in The Horseflies' Last Train to Rajastan sends chills down my spine. Delightful.

Makes me wonder what Cathy Moore is up to these days.

claybanjo - Posted - 11/09/2010:  20:52:55

me too, her site seems to have hit a stagnant spot. I hope she's well.

brokenstrings - Posted - 11/10/2010:  09:52:24

Intriguing.

Ephraim - Posted - 12/15/2010:  20:56:00

This tune is really great. Anyone else notice it is somewhat similar to West Virginia Girls?

Viper - Posted - 12/16/2010:  06:57:42

quote:

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Originally posted by conohawk

I love straight Old Time. But the kind of fusion demonstrated in The Horseflies' Last Train to Rajastan sends chills down my spine. Delightful.

Makes me wonder what Cathy Moore is up to these days.

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