Level: 2
Tuning: Dropped D

"Little Sadie" is a 20th-century American folk ballad in D Dorian mode. It is also known variously as "Bad Lee Brown," "Transfusion Blues," "Late One Night," "Penitentiary Blues" and other titles. It tells the story of a man who is apprehended after shooting his wife/girlfriend. He is then sentenced by a judge. The earliest written record of the song dates from 1922. Clarence Ashley recorded "Little Sadie" in 1930 and Doc Watson performed it on record and in concert until he passed away.

"Little Sadie" has a beautiful and unique melody. This lesson shows two different approaches. The first uses a strumming technique and is played using first position chords. It is then fingerpicked using an alternating bass and going up an octave.