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Topic: Which tuning for which song? |
John Botofte
From:
Denmark
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Posted 15 May 2014 1:57 am |
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This is probably a foolish question, but I am wondering how others decide which tuning to use for which song. Of course all songs can be played on any instrument with any tuning, but last night I was trying to arrange "I'm Sitting on Top of The World" for C6 and it just didn't go anywhere. Then I tried the same tune in the same key (G) on my lap steel tuned to Dobro open G, and despite lacking dominant 7th's it suddenly sounded right on the spot. Those of you who also have different tunings available - do you decide after looking at the chords, the melody, the history of the tune, the genre, the feeling you want to communicate? When do you decide in favor of say C6th or any other open tuning. Any thoughts?
John
_________________
GFI SM10-SD 3x2 Pedal Steel,
Georgeboard 8-string, 6-string DL travel lap steel, Gretsch 6-string, Gretsch Jim Dandy Parlor Guitar, Peavey Nashville 112, Boss RV-5
Zoom R8
https://soundcloud.com/lapsteelin1965 |
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Stefan Robertson
From:
Hertfordshire, UK
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Posted 15 May 2014 2:56 am
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I would stick with your 8 string instrument from George boards.
Find a versatile tuning like:
Lo - Hi
E, G, B, D, F, A, C, E
OR
C, E, G, B, D, F, A, C
Then you have the flexibility to just play whatever. Forget retuning. But that's just me. Rock, Jazz, Pop, etc. Enjoy
Then learn the fretboard
_________________
Stefan
Bill Hatcher custom 12 string Lap Steel Guitar
E13#9/F secrets: https://thelapsteelguitarist.wordpress.com
"Give it up for The Lap Steel Guitarist" |
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John Botofte
From:
Denmark
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Posted 15 May 2014 4:39 am
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I wasn't asking which tuning to use for everything, but was curious what make other players with multiple tunings available choose a particular tuning for a particular song.
_________________
GFI SM10-SD 3x2 Pedal Steel,
Georgeboard 8-string, 6-string DL travel lap steel, Gretsch 6-string, Gretsch Jim Dandy Parlor Guitar, Peavey Nashville 112, Boss RV-5
Zoom R8
https://soundcloud.com/lapsteelin1965 |
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Tom Campbell
From:
Houston, Texas, USA
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Posted 15 May 2014 6:19 am
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| The melody line usually dictates what tuning may be more amicable than another...its a matter of experimenting. I usually try C6 or E13 first. The layout of those two tunings usually will accommodate most songs. B11, that's another story! |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Todd Weger
From:
Safety Harbor, FLAUSA
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Posted 15 May 2014 9:15 am Voicing for me
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| Certain tunings will have a different sonority to me, and will determine which tuning I use. The fifth, third or root on top colors the sound a lot to me, even when the intervals are the same. As a kind of rule-of-thumb, I like A6 for a lot of western-swing stuff, E13 for a more faux PSG E9, and C6 for honky-tonk and Hawaiian stuff. But that's me, and I'm sure there are those who do things quite differently! |
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Jack Aldrich
From:
Washington, USA
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Posted 15 May 2014 9:40 am
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I agree with Doug. In addition to C113 & B11, I've lately been using JB's C6/A7 tuning for "Adventures In Paradise".
_________________
Jack Aldrich
Carter & ShoBud D10's
D8 & T8 Stringmaster
Rickenbacher B6
3 Resonator guitars
Asher Alan Akaka Special SN 6
Canopus D8 |
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George Rout
From:
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 19 May 2014 11:54 am
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The only comment I can add is sometimes a song "doesn't lay well on the fretboard" in a particular tuning. Love Letters In The Sand is one that comes to mind. As all of you know by now, I'm from the dark ages and play in A Major E C# A E A E or E C# A E C# A and E Major.
Love Letters in the A Major tuning played in G, goes too high up the fretboard, whereas G in E Major is on the 3rd fret.
Geo
_________________
http://georgerout.com
"I play in the A Major tuning. It's fun to learn and so easy to play. It's as old as the hills....like me" |
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Stephen Rethmeier
From:
Nashville TN
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Posted 19 May 2014 5:22 pm
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I appreciate the question, John, and have often wondered this in relation to a double 8 console I have sitting in a case in my office. I currently have a Georgeboard 8 tuned to C6 and have been learning that tuning for a few months. I figured I'd string/tune one of the console necks to C6, but wasn't sure about the other neck. Just based on what has been said here, I'm leaning toward some type of E tuning.
Back to the actual point of your question, I have experienced the same thing you describe where C6 doesn't feel/sound right for a song, but when I grab my old Oahu 6, it sounds great. I just figured the genre of music is a good guide (heavy metal and C6? Probably not...) |
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Stephen Rethmeier
From:
Nashville TN
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Posted 19 May 2014 5:23 pm
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| Should have mention the Oahu is tuned to D... |
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John Botofte
From:
Denmark
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Posted 20 May 2014 12:55 am
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Thanks for the replies. I have been experimenting a bit more with "I'm sitting on top of the world" (Al Jolson's version) and though it sounds better to me on E9 pedal steel than on C6 lap steel, I think it must be the banjo sound of the GBDGBD tuning that in this case feels right on the spot for me. I'm still curious about what Doug wrote about the layout of the chords. Could Doug mention a particular song that wouldn't fit in C6 but works great in say B11 or A6?
Thanks
John
_________________
GFI SM10-SD 3x2 Pedal Steel,
Georgeboard 8-string, 6-string DL travel lap steel, Gretsch 6-string, Gretsch Jim Dandy Parlor Guitar, Peavey Nashville 112, Boss RV-5
Zoom R8
https://soundcloud.com/lapsteelin1965 |
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