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Files For April

Smiles - transcription PDF (116K)

Smiles - full speed MP3 (888K)

Smiles - half speed MP3 (1.7MB)


ACD-15
Swing Low, Sweet Mandolin
Jethro Burns



Transcriber’s Table with John McGann's notes
Jethro Burns on Smiles


Jethro had a wonderful view of the mandolin as chordal as well as melodic. He often used double, triple and quadruple stops as well as his beautiful single note lines. This transcription will give you a good overview of his approach to arranging.

I have included tablature to show specific fingerings, but I strongly encourage you to use the standard notation to understand the note choices as they relate to the chords. This kind of understanding can really help you in arranging your own music.

As always, use the music as a 'road map' to find your way. Your eyes can assist your ears, but in the end your ears are the most important sense in perceiving music.