[Musemaniac]

So I just bought a slide, and I'm really into that oldschool, Delta blues slide feel so I thought, what better song to learn than Riverside.
I'm just not sure what tuning he uses. I was told Open C is the best for slide guitar, is that correct ?

Thx for any advice.

[dadfad]

The tune was done in open-G DGDGBD (Johnson might have capoed to A or A# maybe, I forget) but anyway open-G and open-A are identical except that open-G is a step lower. The most commonly used open tunings for old style blues acoustic slide are open-G and open-D DADF#AD. (Open-E EBEG#BE is identical to open-D except again, two frets difference in pitch). Open-C is not commonly used in old-school pre-war acoustic blues (Except on 12-string slide, where open-D, tuned a whole step lower, is in effect then open-C).

I have a basic tab I did for Robert Johnson's Riverside awhile back. Not perfect (if I recall) but pretty close, and enough to get you playing it.

CODE

#-----------------------------------PLEASE NOTE-------------------------------#
# This file is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of the #
# music below. It's intent is for study or scholarship purposes only and is   #
# not intended for publication, nor for any other commercial use whatsoever.  #
#-----------------------------------------------------------------------------#

Traveling Riverside Blues
by Robert Johnson (Vocalion Records June 30, 1937)

Tabbed by Dadfad 11/11/04 Notepad Courier New 10 Font


I've done this tab in Open-G. Robert Johnson used
open-A, which fingers and plays identically to this
tab shown, just a step lower in pitch which I prefer.
Open-A is (low to high) EAEAC#E. (Actually I think his
guitar might have been tuned a bit sharp towards open-A#)

The first part of this is tabbed as close as possible
to the recording. There is a second part where I show
several improvised lines that may help as well.


D]-/12--12---\12----------/12-------3\2----0---
B]-/12--12---\12----/12---/12-------3\2----0---
G]------------------/12------------------------
D]---------------------------------------------
G]---------------------------------------------
D]---------------------------------------------


D]--------------------------------5v---(5)------
B]----------------------------------------------
G]----------------------------------------------
D]-----3-3-3----3-3-3----0---0------------------
G]-----0-0-0----0-0-0----0---0------------------
D]-0---3-3-3----3-3-3----0---0------------------


D]----------------------------------------------
B]----------------------------------------------
G]--------------------/3---0----3/5v------------
D]--0--0---/5----5----/3---0----3/5v------------
G]--0--0---/5----5------------------------------
D]----------------------------------------------

....If your man gets personal........want you to have your...


D]------------------------------------------------------------
B]------------------------------------------------------------
G]-3spo0-----0--/3--0------0--------0----0--/3--0-------------
D]-3spo0--0--0--/3----0------/5v------0--0--/3----0----/5--5v-
G]--------0-------------0-------------0-------------0---------
D]------------------------------------------------------------

.....fun.


D]------------------------------------------------
B]------------------------------------------------
G]--------------------/3---0------3/5v------------
D]--0--0---/5----5----/3---0------3/5v------------
G]--0--0---/5----5--------------------------------
D]------------------------------------------------

....If your man gets personal........want you to have your...

D]------------------------------------------------------------
B]------------------------------------------------------------
G]-----0-----0--/3--0------0--------0----0--/3--0-------------
D]-----0--0--0--/3----0------/5v------0--0--/3---------/5--5v-
G]--------0-------------0-------------0-------------0---------
D]------------------------------------------------------------

.....fun.


D]---------------------------------------------------------
B]---------------------------------------------------------
G]-0--/3--/5--5--5--5--5---/5---\3-------------------------
D]----/3--/5--5--5--5--5---/5---\3-------------------------
G]-0------/5--5--5--5--5---/5--------/5--\3---/7---/3------
D]---------------------------------------------------------

Jus' c'mon back to Friar's Point, mama, barrel-house all night...

D]------------------------------------------------------------
B]------------------------------------------------------------
G]-----0-----0--/3--0------0--------0----0--/3--0-------------
D]-----0-----0--/3----0------/5v------0--0--/3---------/5--5v-
G]----------------------0-------------0-------------0---------
D]------------------------------------------------------------
..long.......

D]------------------------------------------------------------
B]------------------------------------------------------------
G]-----0-----0--/3--0------0--------0----0--/3--0-------------
D]-----0-----0--/3----0------/5v------0--0--/3---------/5--5v-
G]----------------------0-------------0-------------0---------
D]------------------------------------------------------------
(REPEAT THIS LINE AGAIN, FOR A TOTAL OF 3x AFTER THE WORD "long")





D]---------/12-12-12-12--/12-12-12-12--/12-12-12-12--/12v---(3)-
B]---------/12-12-12-12--/12-12-12-12--/12-12-12-12--/12v---\3-
G]-------------------------------------------------------------
D]-0---0-------------------------------------------------------
G]-------------------------------------------------------------
D]-------------------------------------------------------------

...I got women in Vicksburg......... n' clean on into Tenne.....


D]------------------------------------------------------------
B]------------------------------------------------------------
G]-----0-----0--/3--0------0--------0----0--/3--0-------------
D]-----0-----0--/3----0------/5v------0--0--/3---------/5--5v-
G]----------------------0-------------0-------------0---------
D]------------------------------------------------------------

.....ssee............

D]------------------------------------------------------------
B]------------------------------------------------------------
G]-----0-----0--/3--0------0--------0----0--/3--0-------------
D]-----0-----0--/3----0------/5v------0--0--/3---------/5--5v-
G]----------------------0-------------0-------------0---------
D]------------------------------------------------------------

(That 12-fret slide is repeated in 3 sets of 4 beats for the
vocal line. There is a (possibly accidental) 5th beat between
the first two quads I did not show. Last single 12-fret slide
is vibratoed to sustain it a bit longer than the other beats.)



D]---------/12-12-12-12--/12-12-12-12--/12-12-12-12--/12v---(3)-
B]---------/12-12-12-12--/12-12-12-12--/12-12-12-12--/12v---\3-
G]-------------------------------------------------------------
D]-0---0-------------------------------------------------------
G]-------------------------------------------------------------
D]-------------------------------------------------------------

...I got women in Vicksburg......... n' clean on into Tenne.....


D]------------------------------------------------------------
B]------------------------------------------------------------
G]-----0-----0--/3--0------0--------0----0--/3--0-------------
D]-----0-----0--/3----0------/5v------0--0--/3---------/5--5v-
G]----------------------0-------------0-------------0---------
D]------------------------------------------------------------

.....ssee............

D]------------------------------------------------------------
B]------------------------------------------------------------
G]-----0-----0--/3--0------0--------0----0--/3--0-------------
D]-----0-----0--/3----0------/5v------0--0--/3---------/5--5v-
G]----------------------0-------------0-------------0---------
D]------------------------------------------------------------


D]------------------------------------------------------------
B]------------------------------------------------------------
G]-----------0--/3--0------0--------0----0--/3--0-------------
D]-----0-----0--/3----0------/5v------0--0--/3---------/5--5v-
G]-----0----------------0-------------0-------------0---------
D]------------------------------------------------------------




D]-------------------------------------------------------
B]-------------------------------------------------------
G]-------------------------------------------------------
D]-------------------------------------------------------
G]--0--/3--/5-----5------5----5----3/5v------------------
D]-------------------------------------------------------

...but my Friar's Point mama now..... hops all over....


D]------------------------------------------------------------
B]------------------------------------------------------------
G]-----------0--/3--0------0-------------0--/3--0-------------
D]-----------0--/3----0------/5v------0--0--/3---------/5--5v-
G]-----0----------------0-----------0---------------0---------
D]--0---------------------------------------------------------

....me.......


D]------------------------------------------------------------
B]------------------------------------------------------------
G]-----------0--/3--0------0-------------0--/3--0-------------
D]-----------0--/3----0------/5v------0--0--/3---------/5--5v-
G]-----0----------------0-----------0---------------0---------
D]--0---------------------------------------------------------


Ending, from "....rockin' to my head...."

D]-------------------------------------------------------------
B]-------------------------------------------------------------
G]------------0--0--0-------0--0--0----0--0--------0------------
D]---------3--3--3--3---2---2--2--2----1--1-----1--0---------------
G]----------------------------------------------0--0--------------
D]---------3------------2--------------1--1-----0--0--------------

.....end (This is the walking end-tag Johnson used).


So basically that's it. The original recording is a bit muddled in
places, the vocals masking the slide-work, etc, but this tab should
be reasonably accurate. The other verses are repetitions or combined
repititions of the figures above. To be able to play the lines shown
on those two verses gives the ability to play all of the others. An
occasional note or so difference, or slid in a different location,
but that's about it. Generally (generally) the 6,5, and 4 strings
are played with the thumb and the 1,2,and 3-strings with the index
finger. There are exceptions. I tried to think of a way to note which
was probably used where, but I think it would add more clutter than
it would be worth. Just use whichever seems to be most convenient,
keeping in mind that sometimes the thumb might be used to add more
power to a note, or a rapid index-thumb-index (or thumb-index-thumb)
combination for a rapid triplet, etc, might be used. Although any
slid note typically has some vibrato, certain notes above need more
than the usual (to sustain it through an extended vocal-line, etc).
I have used a "v" after that note to show this.


I no longer try to play it identical to Robert Johnson. I use many
of the same figures, but I play it "my way" now, which includes
other locations and ways to slide notes.... figures borrowed from
other Johnson tunes and mixed with a few changes of my own. I favor
double-stop (two-note) slides more than he did. I like the added
tension the notes of the third-fret give and so tend to use it more.
I like to sort of "roll off" three successive notes quickly using my
index-finger, pullling that roll upwards in a single motion and then
my thumb. My end-tag, while very Robert Johnson-esque is more of a
combination of Johnson's using that similar end-tag in several of
his tunes. Below I'll tab a simplified version of how I might
typically approach the tune if I was doing it (it would be slightly
different every time I did it). Anyway, I might start it........


(Intro Line 1, 2, 3 and 4))

D]------12-12-12-12-12\-----------------------------------
B]--/12-----------------/12-------------------------------
G]--------------------------12---12--12--0--/3po0--/3--0--
D]-----------------------------------------------------0--
G]--------------------------------------------------------
D]--------------------------------------------------------

D]--0---3-----------2---------0-----------------/5v---5v--(5v)-
B]--0------0--0--------0--0---0--------------------------------
G]------------0-----------0---0---/3--0--/3--0-----------------
D]------3-----------2-------------/3--0------------------------
G]--------------------------------/3---------------------------
D]------3-----------2------------------------------------------



D]------------------------------------------------------
B]---------------------------------------------(repeat)-
G]---0-------0---/3---0-------0---/3----0---(0)-(line)--
D]-----0-----0---/3------0----0---/3----0------(0)------
G]-------0-----------------0----------------------(0)---
D]------------------------------------------------------

D]---------------------------------------------------
B]------------------------------------------(and)----
G]---0-------0---/3---0-------0---/3----0---(into)---
D]-----0-----0---/3------0----0---/3----0---(verse)--
G]-------0-----------------0-------------------------
D]---------------------------------------------------

..................................If your...........

D]-------------------------------------------------------
B]-------------------------------------------------------
G]--------3/5-----------------3/5------------------------------
D]-------3/5-----------------3/5-------------------------------
G]-------------------------------------------------------
D]-------------------------------------------------------

...... man gets personal...........want you to have your...

D]------------------------------------------------------
B]---------------------------------------------(repeat)-
G]---0-------0---/3---0-------0---/3----0---(0)-(line)--
D]-----0-----0---/3------0----0---/3----0------(0)------
G]-------0-----------------0----------------------(0)---
D]------------------------------------------------------

...fun


D]---------------------------------------------------
B]---------------------------------------------------
G]---0-------0---/3---0-------0---/3----0---(into)---
D]-----0-----0---/3------0----0---/3----0---(verse)--
G]-------0-----------------0-----------------(again)-
D]---------------------------------------------------

....................................if your....


D]-------------------------------------------------------
B]-------------------------------------------------------
G]--------3/5-----------------3/5------------------------------
D]-------3/5-----------------3/5-------------------------------
G]-------------------------------------------------------
D]-------------------------------------------------------

...... man gets personal...........want you to have your...

D]------------------------------------------------------
B]---------------------------------------------(repeat)-
G]---0-------0---/3---0-------0---/3----0---(0)-(line)--
D]-----0-----0---/3------0----0---/3----0------(0)------
G]-------0-----------------0----------------------(0)---
D]------------------------------------------------------

...fun


D]--------------------------------------------
B]--------------------------------------------
G]---0-------0---/3---0-------0---/3----0-----
D]-----0-----0---/3------0----0---/3----0-----
G]-------0-----------------0------------------
D]--------------------------------------------

........................................but...


D]-----------------------------------------------------
B]------------------------------------------------------/3-
G]-----------------------------------------5---5----/7--/3-
D]--0------7------------7-----7--0-------/5---------------
G]------/7-----------/7--------------------------------
D]-----------------------------------------------------

.....back to Friar's Point where we'll barrel-house all night..

D]-----------------------------------------------
B]-----------------------------------------------
G]------0-------0---/3---0-------0---/3----0-----
D]--------0-----0---/3------0----0---/3----0-----
G]----------0-----------------0------------------
D]-----------------------------------------------
...long....................(etc, etc, etc)........


And that's basically how I'd approach the tune. That little figure
that starts and repeats in several of the "theme-lines" is a sort
of a roll, done like this....... (below it means Index-Index-Thumb)
D]---------
B]---------
G]--0------
D]----0----
G]------0--
D]---------

..I..I..T. (Pulling up with the index and then down with the thumb.)



And sort of keep that bounce throughout more or less. Robert used
Open-A. I prefer Open-G which sounds a little more "brooding" and
darker to me. Less stress on your strings and neck too.

Anyway, just an after-thought. I hope this tab works for you.

Later!



Traveling Riverside Blues
by Robert Johnson
Recorded in Dallas, Texas June 20, 1937.

If your man gets personal, want to have your fun.
If your man gets personal, want to have your fun.
Just come on back to Friar's Point, mama, and barrelhouse all night long.

I got womens in Vicksburg, clean on into Tennessee.
I got womens in Vicksburg, clean on into Tennessee,
But my Friar's Point rider, now, hops all over me.

I ain't gon' to state no color, but her front teeth is crowned with gold.
I ain't gon' to state no color, but her front teeth is crowned with gold.
She got a mortgage on my body, now, lien on my soul.

Lord, I'm goin' to Rosedale, gon' take my rider by my side.
Lord, I'm goin' to Rosedale, gon' take my rider by my side.
We can still barrelhouse, baby, 'cause it's on the river side.

Now you can squeeze my lemon till the juice run down my...
(Spoken: till the juice run down my leg, baby, you know what I'm talkin' 'bout)
You can squeeze my lemon till the juice run down my leg
(that’s what I’m talkin’ about now)
But I'm goin' back to Friar's Point, if I be rockin' to my head

[okiejohn]

Well, my reply is somewhat irreleveant as to the old school Robert Johnson version, but I'm just crazy about the Led Zep version. I often cranked that tune up on the way to work...it got my heard started.

[Musemaniac]

Thank you. Great tab Dadfad! I also heard a song from a slide player in a bar I went, he kept repeating Highway 61. Although it's a recurrent concept in blues songs, I don't know of any slide song carrying that name. It was very slow and used a lot of silence. Any idea what it was ?

[dadfad]

Like you said, Highway 61 is a recurrent reference in a number of blues tunes. Many years ago my very first slide teacher was an old bluesman named Mississippi Fred McDowell. I hung out near his farm for a week or so to try to pick up a little bit from him if I could. He had a tune he did he called "That 61 Highway." It had several lines in it that referenced Highway 61, like...

Lord, that 61 Highway is the longest road I know
Lord, that ol' 61 Highway may be the longest road I know
She run from New York City, down ta' the Gulf of Mexico

and... (I forget the whole verses, but)...

I want you ta' bury my body out on ol' Highway 61

and...

When ya' see me comin' mama, it'll be down ol' Highway 61


And probably several other references to it in there as well. And he did it in a pretty slow, "broken" style (where he used foot-taps to maintain the... er... continuity of the tune). A lot of his tunes (and other guys as well) were often amalgams of lyrics common to more than one individual tune. Possibly that tune, or another arrangement of that tune is what you heard.