Description

This classic song predates bluegrass, referencing an an ornery character (“Salty Dog”) who just wants to have fun. The lyrics range from typical (“Standin on the corner with the low down blues, great big hole in the bottom of my shoes, honey let me be your Salty Dog”) to the more cheeky (“I like bacon, I  like grits, I like the gals with the real big eyes”). What’s fun for jamming is the chords, which depart from the usual G – C – D’s in favor of the jazz circle of fifths G – E – A – D, which makes for a wilder ride when improvising. This basic Scruggs Style lead will give you something solid to fall back on when you get called out in a jam, and when you get it up to speed be sure to jump over to our Backing Tracks for this one to get more time in.

We also have a really jazzy Single String style lead to add to your bag of tricks HERE, so you can be a double threat…go get ’em!