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Sugarfoot Rag Banjo Tabs

Traditional

Sugarfoot Rag Banjo Tablature: One Song, Many Styles

Recomended level: Intermediate

Tags: #instrumental, #fiddle tune, #up-tempo

The "Sugar-Foot Rag" or "Sugarfoot Rag" (however you choose to spell, it is fine) was definitely filled with sugar as at the time it was composed/written by the talented Hank Garland. Sugar-foot rag was quite popular among its audience and turned 18-year-old Hank Garland into a millionaire. This song sold over a million records. However, Hank Garland didn't write this song that was going to be a masterpiece years later alone. He had a little help. The New York-based songwriter, Vaughn Horton, wrote this song with Hank. However, on Red Foley's record label, Vaughn Horton was simply referred to as George Vaughn. Unlike old, classic tunes, the Sugarfoot rag song has an author, and it was originally recorded by Garland. Although it was first released in its genuine form in 1949, a lot more artists after Hank have rebirthed the song in their own way and also made money from it as a result. Following Hank's official release of the Sugarfoot rag song, a couple of other country music artists recorded the song. Some of them include American country music artist, Red Foley who recorded the song again in 1950, American country music artist Red Foley, Jerry Reed, who also recorded his version of the song and released it in November 1979 as the lead single from his album Texas Bound and Flyin. The song did make history as it peaked at number 12 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and number 13 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart. Jerry Reed wasn't the last person to release another version of this song, as in his 1993 album titled Guit with it, Junior Brown did another cover of the song.

Learn how to play Sugarfoot Rag on Banjo with this selection of tablatures:

  • Banjo Sugarfoot Rag Scruggs Style

    Scruggs Style

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      G
    • Tempo
      120 bpm
    • Tuning
      gDGBD

    Up the neck and down the neck. Who says you can't play both in the same break?

    Learn
  • Banjo Sugarfoot Rag Melodic Style

    Melodic Style

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      G
    • Tempo
      105 bpm
    • Tuning
      gDGBD

    The A part in this arrangement of Sugarfoot Rag is fairly standard, but the B part is not-check out those unique melodic licks. Remember to use the lick switcher for even more goodies!

    Learn
  • Banjo Sugarfoot Rag Backup

    Backup

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      G
    • Tempo
      110 bpm
    • Tuning
      gDGBD

    Some simple but solid backup for a fiddle player. Because this tune is so short you will play the entire tune twice before trading off at a jam.

    Learn



Practicing Tips

Learning Overview:
'Sugarfoot Rag' is an instrumental, fiddle tune, up-tempo song, now available in bluegrass banjo tabs for intermediate players. Using Scruggs, Melodic, and Backup Styles, this educational tool provides a transformative learning experience. It gives students the opportunity to comprehend and interpret the song uniquely with its characteristically upbeat tempo. This song is an excellent choice for those looking to enhance their bluegrass understanding and skills.


Features of the Tunefox platform:
The Tunefox learning platform offers some distinct features that make the learning process not just easy but enjoyable. Key among these are the 'Lick Switcher' and 'Arrange Slider'. The Lick Switcher is an indispensable feature that lets you add new licks to your tabs, changing how you view and interpret the song. This creative flexibility leads to countless variations and personal arrangements, encouraging you to play around with the tune.


On the other hand, the Arrange Slider is an equally innovative tool that lets you control the difficulty level and tone of the song, adjusting it according to your comfort and level of learning.


Practicing tools:
Our platform also provides various tools designed to aid your practice sessions. By adjusting the tempo, playing along to backing tracks, using the Speed Up Function, and hiding notes for learning by ear, you can add dimensions to your learning process. These options provide you with a comprehensive learning experience, facilitating an understanding of the song in depth.


General Practice Tips:
When learning a new song or technique, it is advisable to start slowly. This approach will give you room to understand the details of the tune and prevent any mistakes that can become habitual with speed. Use the tools provided effectively, adjusting tempo and tone, and exploring different interpretations using the Lick Switcher and Arrange Slider. Remember that practice is the key to perfection, and consistent engagement with the song will foster improvement over time.