John Lover Is Gone, Part 1

This lesson is part of the course Old-Time Banjo with Bruce Molsky.

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Learn the tunes and techniques of some of the legends of old-time banjo, taught by one of the icons of contemporary old-time music.

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Mississippi Sawyer

Wade Ward’s solo version of the square dance tune “Mississippi Sawyer” is a little different than the way it would be played for a square dance, in that it drops a beat at the end of each part. It’s played in double-D tuning: aDADE, where the fourth string is D, third string is A, second string is D, first string is E, and fifth string is A. Bruce shows you the tuning, gives you advice on getting in tune. Then he starts showing you the first part of “Mississippi Sawyer,” which starts with a D chord shape at the fifth fret and a simple bum-ditty pattern. Bruce walks you through each phrase slowly, giving you lots of chances to play along with him as you learn the tune. You’ll learn a basic version of the A part of “Mississippi Sawyer” in this video.

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John Lover Is Gone

John Lover Is Gone, Part 1

John Lover Is Gone, Part 2: Play-Along Track

John Lover Is Gone, Part 1

Wade Ward recorded the square dance tune “John Lover Is Gone” (also called “Johnny Lover’s Gone”) with fiddler Glen Smith. It’s in the key of D and played in double-D tuning: aDADE, where the fourth string is D, third string is A, second string is D, first string is E, and fifth string is A. Bruce plays the whole tune through slowly and then breaks it down phrase by phrase, starting with a roll across the top two strings and a thumb note on the fifth string on the downbeat.

“John Lover Is Gone” Tab (Available to subscribers)

Previous Lesson

← Polly Put the Kettle On, Part 4: Variations and Embellishments

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John Lover Is Gone, Part 2: Play-Along Track →

Previous Lesson

← Polly Put the Kettle On, Part 4: Variations and Embellishments

Next Lesson

John Lover Is Gone, Part 2: Play-Along Track →

Previous Lesson

← Polly Put the Kettle On, Part 4: Variations and Embellishments

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