My new 8 string tuning

Michael Papenburg · From: Oakland, CA

I bought an 8 string lap steel at the end of last year and have been experimenting with a number of different tunings. I've been playing 6 string for many years and found that I was getting lost with many of the tunings or found that they were too similar with my 6 string tunings. Here is one that I just came up with that seems to be working out:

E
F#
D
A
F#
D
B
G

I'm calling it my D add 9 over G tuning. The top strings allow me to get harp tones similar to a pedal steel. I had a higher sixth in there for a while but it kept throwing me off and I didn't love the sound of it so I put it down an octave. The bottom portion of the tuning is very similar to Greg Leisz's E over A tuning but down a whole step. This is something that I've been doing for years and found it interesting that he used to like that tuning as well.

Anyway, just thought I'd share.

Edward Meisse · From: Santa Rosa, California, USA

This is a common experience, I think. It took me a year to finally settle into an 8 string tuning. My 6 string tuning was low C6. I tried every related tuning that about anyone had ever thought of. Several times I thought I had it.
It looks like your 6 string tuning was open D. Is that right? That will no doubt help other players make suggestions.
_________________
Amor vincit omnia

Michael Papenburg · From: Oakland, CA

I actually haven't used open D for 6 string. I usually use G6 or open E. I mainly posted the tuning because I thought other people may find it interesting. I'm going to live with it for a while and see if it sticks Smile

.

Edward Meisse · From: Santa Rosa, California, USA

That's the way I did it, too. Good luck. Very Happy

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Amor vincit omnia

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