| Visit Our Catalog at SteelGuitarShopper.com |

Post new topic Newbe Help
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Newbe Help
Charlie Vegas


From:
Tampa Bay, FLA, USA
Post  Posted 17 Jan 2003 10:24 am    
Reply with quote

I'm fairly new to lap steel even though I've had a six string 1953 Gibson UltraTone in my custody for some time now.

I'd like to start woodshedding and incorporate this in my current band. We play a hybrid of Blues, Jump, Rockabilly & Swing. I'm looking for opinions on tunings and instructional videos.

I could go with the obvious slide guitar tunings like open G, D, or E. I'm thinking maybe a Texas Swing tuning, although we don't play any Cowboy cords. We mostly shuffle in E or swing in A with lots of 7ths & 9's.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Gene Jones

 

From:
Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)
Post  Posted 17 Jan 2003 10:45 am    
Reply with quote

Charlie, I'm trying to follow your thread, but my friend you are off base when you equate western-swing with "cowboy" tunings. Cowboy is Gene Autrey and Roy Rogers and Sons of the Pioneers...(Riding Down the Canyon" etc),.....western-swing is more kin to improvisational jazz!

You won't be able to play it unil you "feel" the difference!

[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 17 January 2003 at 11:23 AM.]

View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Doug Beaumier


From:
Northampton, MA
Post  Posted 17 Jan 2003 10:49 am    
Reply with quote

Check This Post for lots of good info on 6 string tunings. Everyone has an opinion. Mine is... go with C6 for western swing, pop, rock, and all round stuff (there is a fair amount of instructional material for C6). Go with E for blues and rock.

------------------
My Site - Instruction | Doug's Free Tab | Steels and Accessories


[This message was edited by Doug Beaumier on 17 January 2003 at 10:51 AM.]

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Charlie Vegas


From:
Tampa Bay, FLA, USA
Post  Posted 17 Jan 2003 11:56 am    
Reply with quote

Gene, point well taken. Although I wasn't trying to equate western-swing with "cowboy" tunings. I was trying to equate the key of the songs. All my experience with different tunings is with slide guitar in which the tuning is the key of the song. If the song is in a different key, you retune or capo. In my thinking (flawed or not), "C" is Cowboy key. I play very little in "C". I was trying to say that a C6 tuning may not work for me. Now if you's guys tell me that the tuning has no relation to the key of the song when playing lapsteel, then this whole point is moot.

By the way, I have no intention of playing Cowboy music, but think Western Swing licks would fit in well with some of our material. I'm thinking along the lines of Bill Haley or Big Sandy.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Bill Leff


From:
Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Post  Posted 17 Jan 2003 2:42 pm    
Reply with quote

E13 would be a good place to start. Easy to sound swingy and since it's in E you won't get lost on the neck if you play guitar in standard tuning.

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Ron Randall

 

From:
Dallas, Texas, USA
Post  Posted 17 Jan 2003 2:48 pm    
Reply with quote

Charlie,

FWIW
I have played guitar and bass for a lonngggggg time. Have been picking up non pedal and having lots of fun.

I assume your are not talking about dobro, or bluegrass.
The 6th tuning, is very versatile, whatever key you want to tune the guitar to. You have the capability of minor chords and that sweet 6th chord.
Also, since you play with a band, think about what keys you would be playing in. Just because a steel is tuned C6 does not mean you will play in the key of C. The bar is always(almost) on the strings. You can't slide below the first fret.

A good playing position is frets 4 to 11 for your song keys. From fret 4, you will have room to back up 3 frets, have a full four chord at fret 9 and a full five chord at fret 11. If you have a choice, stay off the 12 fret for your song keys. This is the harmonic fret, and more difficult to get a good sound there.

The group I play with uses the key of Eflat alot. The guitars and bass detune down to Eflat. I tune the 8 string to B6. This puts my Eflat position on the 4 fret, my Aflat on the 9 fret, etc.

I hope this helps.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  
Please review our Forum Rules and Policies
Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction, and steel guitar accessories
www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

The Steel Guitar Forum
148 S. Cloverdale Blvd.
Cloverdale, CA 95425 USA

Click Here to Send a Donation

Email SteelGuitarForum@gmail.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for Band-in-a-Box
by Jim Baron