Level: 3
Tuning: Dropped D

Tommy Johnson recorded "Big Road Blues" in 1928. It was one of the most influential recordings of early Mississippi blues. Many bluesmen learned either from Tommy's record or from seeing him in person. 'I ain't goin' down that big road by myself' became a classic blues line, sometimes changed to 'dark road' or even 'road of love' by other singers. Big Road Blues was Johnson's first record, and although he was not the first Mississippi blues artist to record, he was in the studio before Charley Patton, Son House, and Robert Johnson were and his records' success established him as the first big name recording artist in Mississippi blues.

Tommy's playing did not depend on an alternate bass. As most Delta musicians, his playing uses a more rhythmic right hand approach. The use of strums and brush strokes are very important in his playing. Make sure to study the directions of these brush strokes in the tab. These give the arrangement the drive and energy needed. The guitar is in a Dropped D tuning