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Topic: Digging into the Bass Strings |
Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 4 Mar 2014 6:30 am |
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I've always had an affinity for playing on the bass strings, which is probably one of the reasons I stuck with playing the C#m7 and E tunings for so long. Sol Hoopii played plenty of cool stuff on those strings and I definitely took notice.
Since I got my D-10, I have basically expanded the C6 tuning downward, adding bass strings instead of treble. I guess it's just what I naturally gravitate to, especially since coming from a guitar background.
It can be challenging to play in tune on the bass strings, maybe even a little more so. I think one of the things is getting the string gauges absolutely perfect. Here is a little something I am currently working out on my expanded C13 tuning--I've been wanting to play this for years, and now it's possible, although it is very challenging to play. It is Teen Town, a tune written by Jaco Pastorius and recorded with Weather report--one of my favorite tunes. Hopefully, I can get the whole thing together in time, but this a little clip.
http://soundcloud.com/ionahoopii/steel-town-a-k-a-teen-town
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links
Last edited by Mike Neer on 5 Mar 2014 7:22 am; edited 1 time in total |
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James Hartman
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 4 Mar 2014 7:24 am
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He sings!
Good stuff, Mike. Day Tripper, your bottom 5 strings are C, E, G, Bb, C? I just picked up another S-8, and can't seem to decide whether to add a high G or 2 low strings to the C6. Comfortable with having the 3rd on top so leaning toward extra bass.
Listening to Teen Town, immediately struck by how readily Jaco's fretless bass style comes across on the steel. Cool! |
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Mitch Druckman
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 4 Mar 2014 8:31 am
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| That's Teen Town on a different kind of fretless. Nice. |
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Jean-Sebastien Gauthier
From:
Quebec, Canada
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Posted 4 Mar 2014 11:41 am
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| Wow I like it a lot Mike. Its very nice to see you finding your own way, developing your own style, very inspiring! |
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Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
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Posted 4 Mar 2014 8:03 pm
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| nice!! only thing cooler would have been some real bass strings! string up a lap and do that! |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 6 Mar 2014 8:40 am
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Bill, I threw a .068 on the bottom for the low C since then and it sounds better than this, but I think that is about as thick as the tuners will accommodate. I've been pining for a lap steel bass, though, but it would be a distraction from getting good on steel. 
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Ralph Czitrom
From:
Ringwood, New Jersey
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Posted 6 Mar 2014 9:13 am
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| Great vibe Mike. Love the way you push the steel guitar envelope. That's quite a sonic range you've got on the Clinesmith. |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 6 Mar 2014 9:32 am
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Hi, Ralph. It isn't about pushing the "steel guitar envelope", but more about pushing my own. My main goal is to be able to play the music that I've always played and have wanted to play on this instrument only--I really don't play my guitars anymore. I can't be a part-time steel player.
I think it's important to learn the styles associated with the instrument (especially if you want to find work), but also to not give up on what you love outside of that. I record stuff and listen to where I need to focus on making improvements. Anything is possible!
And Jaco was the man!
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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David Yannuzzi
From:
Pomona , New York, USA
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Posted 6 Mar 2014 9:56 am
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Very cool Mike !
I always thought Jaco's tune Continuum would be cool to arrange on pedal steel
I hope to get to it some day .... |
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