Transcribing Notes From John Neil (Head Transcriber)
Rusty Cage – Johnny Cash
Melody
A great arrangement of the Soundgarden song. I first thought Soundgarden covered a Johnny Cash song, which is a great testament to how he made this song his own. The vocal range is G2 to D4.
Download the Melody Music Here
Keyboard
The only keyboard I hear in this song is piano in the main choruses – the accent of the low G and A notes. I had it do this, as well as follow the basic groove of the rest of the song, which makes it work for a vocal/piano performance as well.
Download the Keyboard Sheet Music Here
Rhythm/Lead Guitar 1
This part does the main acoustic riff that plays through the song, both sections – bars 1 to 39 & 40 to end (or the “alt” section).
Download the Lead Guitar Tab Here
Rhythm/Lead Guitar 2
This part does the accent riffs in the choruses (as an electric guitar, as that’s what the “alt” section consists of). Then in the “alt” section it does the electric guitar part
Download the Rhythm Guitar Tab Here
Strum/Ukulele
The actual strum guitar part starts at bar 22, and goes through to the end. I had it start at the beginning to make this part usable for a solo performance. I also changed it a bit – playing the G chords in the choruses, doing full chords in the alt sections, etc. Otherwise, it would be playing the same thing through the entire song sections (more than it already is). I did the same with the ukulele part.
Download the Strum Tab Here
Download the Ukulele Tab Here
Bass
A pretty repetitious part, that holds down the groove. Probably played with fingers.
Download the Bass Tab Here
Drums
Another repetitious part, but much needed to keep the groove going. It opens up more in the “alt” section to a normal rock beat.
Download the Drum Music Here
Download the Lead Sheet Here