Connie Mack
From:
phoenicia, new york
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Posted 23 Mar 2008 8:40 am |
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hi folks,
i got myself an old 12 string beater that i've switched over to a basic sierra u-12 tuning after being curious about u-12 tuning for years(there's a couple of strings that i couldn't do because of lack of proper holes in the changer). i just started trying to understand the difference in playing today(going from a standard d-10/e9/c6 tuning). obviously, one does not do this overnight and after an hour i started to see some of the correlations. what i'm looking for is some helpful words that might make this jump easier. tricks, tab, advice. anything that helped you make the switch.
i always love how everyone on this forum is so helpful. so thanx a whole bunch in advance. c |
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David Doggett
From:
Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)
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Posted 23 Mar 2008 11:03 am
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The extra strings move the center line of the neck (where the fret marker symbols are) from between strings 5 & 6 to between strings 6 & 7. At first that threw me off, and my thumb had trouble finding the E root on string 8. So I took a red marking pen and ran it down the side of string 8 facing me. That worked like a charm. The marking wore of and I had to remark it a time or two. Finally, it wore off and I didn't need it anymore.
From the top down, strings 1-8 are exactly like E9. Just keep thinking that when you are up there.
From the bottom up (with the E-lower lever), strings 12-4 are exactly like strings 10-2 on C6, only the pitch is a half-step lower. The extra three strings on top give you the equivalent of both the D and G of C6, plus another A.
Unlike on D10, the E9 and B6 modes of a uni relate to each other very closely in simple music theory terms. So when switching from E9 mode to B6 mode, the new B6 root fret for the key is where the V chord was in E9 mode. For example, if you are playing in the key of E in E9 mode, and you want to go to the E6 chord in B6 mode, you go to fret 7 (B chord) and hit the E-lower lever to get an E6 chord. And then you can keep playing with that as the new E6 root chord for playing in E in the 6th neck mode. So the cycle of 5ths always tells you where to go.
When switching from B6 to E9, the new E9 root fret is where the IV chord was in B6 mode. So going backwards in the cycle (which is the cycle of 4ths) tells you where to go. So, if you are playing in the key of C in 6th neck mode, go to the F fret and release the E-lower lever to get the C chord in E9 mode.
This all may sound complicated to explain, but if you play around with it a little, you begin to get the feel of it.
There are some neat transitions between the two modes. If you are playing in 6th neck mode, you can play the IV chord, release the E-lower lever, and it resolves to the I chord.
It may seem like rough going at first, but within a month your thumb adapts to the missing D string and you will be playing like a uni veteran. |
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Micky Byrne
From:
United Kingdom (deceased)
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Posted 24 Mar 2008 12:59 pm
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Connie, my Sho-Bud S-12 was an extended E9th from 1977 until 1981 when I decided to have the extra hardware made to convert it to a universal tuning. On the day I picked it up, I had to go straight to a gig and get accustomed to the whole new concept right there on stage. I got through it no problem. The only slight headache was that missing "D" string. I can assure you that you'll get used to a uni tuning in no time at all. Too many people are afraid of it.....it's only 2 extra strings, and with some carefull thinking will enable you to play a unique "Big" tuning. Forget of thinking "two" tunings, think of it a a big single tuning, and you'll be delighted at how you can alter your chord voicings without have to switch necks.
Micky Byrne United Kingdom www.mickybyrne.com
Sho-Bud and Carter universals |
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