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Topic: Tunings /Intonation |
Keith Hamm
From:
Three Rivers, California, USA
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Posted 14 May 2006 5:15 pm |
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| As a newcomer to steel guitar I have a few questions. I have noticed several 6th tunings listed with different arrangements of the same intervals. What are the deciding factors, timbre, register, familiarity etc. for going with one over the other. Am I missing something here. Also when tuning I tune the root and fifths, slightly flatten the thirds until it sounds o.k., then tune the sixths to the thirds as fifths. Does that make sense. Are other intervals closer to being in tune, for example are 7th tunings closer to equal temperment or 6th tunings. What happens when you add other intervals such as 9ths, or combinations such as 9 and 6. I hope this makes sense and I appreciate any replies. |
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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 14 May 2006 8:19 pm
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Maybe this will help:
JI JI ET Diff. Rel. to
fract. cents cents (cents) A=440
I 2/1 1200.0 1200 0 440
VII 15/8 1088.3 1100 -12 437
VIIb 9/5 1017.6 1000 18 444
VI 5/3 884.4 900 -16 436
8/5 813.7 800 14 443
V 3/2 702.0 700 2 440
Vb 45/32 590.2 600 -10 438
IV 4/3 498.1 500 -2 440
III 5/4 386.3 400 -14 437
IIIb 6/5 315.6 300 16 444
II 9/8 203.9 200 4 441
16/15 111.7 100 12 443
I 1/1 0.0 0 0 440
As you can see, the 3rd (actually the 10th) is a 5th above the 6th. So your method works pretty well. You can also tune the 6th as the relative minor root to the 1 and 3. The 9th can be tuned at a 5th above the 5. I'm not sure what to tell you to tune the 7th to. I just play a 7th chord and try to make it sound right with it.
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Student of the Steel: Zum uni, Fender tube amps, squareneck and roundneck resos, tenor sax, keyboards
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Dan Sawyer
From:
Studio City, California, USA
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Posted 15 May 2006 12:53 am
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| The main diff. in the tunings is whether you've got the 5th on top or the 3rd. So, in C6 tuning decide between having a G or an E as your first string. |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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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 15 May 2006 7:41 am
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| Ah yes, I see now. Rick's method works well. Also, I just realized that the b7 is a minor third above 5. So it can be tuned as the minor 3rd with 5 as the root and 9 as the 5th of the minor chord. |
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