C6 vs E9, picks and instructions?

Junior King · From: Osceola, Iowa, USA

I have played guitar for a long time, but new to steel. I just have a couple of 6 string lap steels. I have been doing C6th tuning. I plan to get a S10 or maybe a D10 psg. Just looking for now. Would Herbs Steiner's instruction books and DVD's on C6th do me any good beings I have only a 6 string?
Don't most psg players use a plastic thumb pick and metal finger picks? Any and all info would be helpful to be and other newbies.
If you were only going to have one S10 pedal guitar, would you do C6 or E9 tuning and why.

Thanks Junior King

Bobby Lee · From: Cloverdale, California, USA

All C6th pedal steel courses require pedals. Often you can't get to the second measure without pushing a pedal.

At least 95% of all S-10 pedal steels are tuned to the standard E9th. The standard C6th copedent has 5 pedals vs. 3 pedals for the E9th. Some people have "converted" an S-10 to C6th (there have been topics here on the subject), but most people who want C6th-like capability from a single neck instrument go for a 12 string "Universal" E9th/B6th copedent (often called a U-12).

The E9th is by far the most popular copedent in the pedal steel world. Steel players make albums for each other using the C6th, but at least 80% of the pedal steel parts that you hear on vocal CDs or one the radio were done on E9th.

The things that you learn on C6th lap steel will apply directly to the E9th or U-12 when you get a pedal steel. One knee lever changes the tuning to a B6th, with exactly the same intervals as your lap steel's C6th.

Many people play the back neck of a D-10 without pedals, playing exactly the same parts they learned on lap steel. Before I learned E9th, I would sometimes be asked to "sit in" on someone else's guitar at jam sessions. I always went straight for the comfort zone of the back neck, and didn't even think about the pedals.

------------------

Bobby Lee (a.k.a. b0b) - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Williams D-12 E9, C6add9, Sierra Olympic S-12 (F Diatonic)
Sierra Laptop S-8 (E6add9), Fender Stringmaster D-8 (E13, C6 or A6) My Blog

Junior King · From: Osceola, Iowa, USA

Thanks for the reply, Bobby. What about the pick question?
Also is there a trick or procedure for holding the bar. I have trouble picking up the bar off the strings. Am I holding it wrong? Do I need a bigger bar. Have 3/4 by 2 3/4 bar. I saw little Barbara Mandrel playing Neil Boggs steel on a 1971 Wilburn Bros TV show. She was picking the bar up and laying it down like it was glued to her fingers.

Thanks Junior

Joseph Meditz · From: Sierra Vista, AZ

Hi Junior,
Take a look at the way Bobbe Seymour lifts the bar in the Bigsby 1 Video.
http://www.steelguitar.net/

I'm a beginner and have been having trouble with this too. Seeing how Bobbe does it was a great help. The only finger that appears to be moving is his thumb. Btw, if you right click while the video is playing and select Play Speed you can slow it down to observe this sleight of hand.

To Bobbe: Thanks for those videos and the great playing as well as your other contributions to SG. You are one cool dude!

Joe

Junior King · From: Osceola, Iowa, USA

Thanks Joe:

I've been on that sight many times looking to find guitar to buy, never noticed the video clips. That helps, but I think I need bigger bar allso. What size bar do you use? Boy, that bigsby is a long neck?

Thanks Junior

Calvin Walley · From: colorado city colorado, USA

a 7/8 bar is big enough for 10 strings 15/16 at most. also most here will tell you that a bigger bar is slower.
best of luck with your playing

calvin

------------------
ZumSteel

Junior King · From: Osceola, Iowa, USA

Thanks Calvin:

Junior

Forum Index > Pedal Steel		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: