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Topic: Tunings Question |
Robert Vardaman
From:
Mississippi, USA
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Posted 13 Jul 2013 7:46 pm |
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I hope not to offend anyone with ...such an amateurish ...simple minded question, but im wondering what is the exact difference between E9 and C6 and Universal Tuning?
I am currently trying to get my hands on everything i can read about PSG. I hope to get one in the near future, and am trying to learn what i can before hand. Ive been playing 6 string for 30+ yrs, and have decided to finally jump off the cliff and take the dive into PSG. I have loved the way they sound all my life, but always thought they might be too difficult to learn to play. Yet, when i told a buddy of mine i was thinking of trying to learn, his comment was "well...its kinda like learning how to work on a carburetor". I laughed to myself, well that does it...im all in...im a gear head who use to pull wrenches many years ago.
Anyway, i wonder, wonder should as a newbie total beginner, which scale, or tuning i should learn on?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts and again ..kinda embarrassed to ask such a simple question.
robert |
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Earnest Bovine
From:
Los Angeles CA USA
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Paul Sutherland
From:
Placerville, California
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Posted 13 Jul 2013 8:33 pm
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What styles of music do you want to play? If you can listen to some steel guitar music and report back on what music interests you the most, and what you want to be able to play, then we can probably figure out if you would do best on E9 or C6, or if you really should take on both.
It's probably easier to learn E9 first for most people, but some people take to C6 right away.
A universal tuning gives you a lot of the changes of both E9 and C6, but not all of them. If a smaller lighter steel is important (certainly less to carry) then you may want a universal. Also easier to transition from one style to another, as it's all on one neck. |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 14 Jul 2013 7:03 am
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The E9th is easier for many to learn. It's based around major chords, and some of these triads are grouped together, in both the pedals up and down positions. The major triads on C6th usually aren't together, and so you have the task of precisely skipping certain strings to form major chords, and this can be difficult for beginners.
The universal tuning is an attempt to combine the two popular tunings, but I don't advise it for beginners. There's tons of learning materials for the E9th, but far less for the C6th, and even less for the universal. |
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Robert Vardaman
From:
Mississippi, USA
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Posted 14 Jul 2013 10:48 am
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My first...exposure to PS, was the steel in Hank Sr's, songs....simple, but fluid.
For years my all time favorite Pedal Steel Lick, was in Blue Bayou, Linda Ronstadt.
I love the quickness of whomever played on Ricky Scaggs, Highway 40 blues.
Then i came by a song by Daniel Lanois, Transmitter. I absolutely love that sound.
I play primarily blues, and 60's, 70's rock and folk music. Try and complicate and jazz up some Praise music @ church. Im just not sure which or where would be the best place to start. I read the last post, and maybe since there is more instruction on E9, that is where to start. Though i love country, its not primarily where i play. ......that being said, yall stop me where im wrong. I think to start with a single neck, just not sure in which Tuning.
I do appreciate the replies, and thanks for directing me to Bobs archive of copedents. |
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Paul Sutherland
From:
Placerville, California
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Posted 14 Jul 2013 11:13 am
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Robert: Based on your response, I'd say go with standard E9th tuning. The early Hank Williams Sr. steel work was probably all played on lap steel, not pedal steel, and the tunings could vary but were probably mostly C6th or A6th.
The steel work on Blue Bayou was definitely E9th, and I believe the same to be true for Highway 40 Blues, but I haven't listened to that song on awhile. You can play blues and rock on E9th fairly well; it's mostly a matter of putting a bit of grit into your tone, and playing single note bluesy passages. I can't comment on Daniel Lanois as I've only heard one or two songs of his on YouTube. His playing is way outside the main-stream. I was not impressed.
When you start wanting to play more jazzy music, or if you wanted to play old country swing, the C6th would be more suitable.
All things considered, you can't go wrong starting on E9th. And has been said, there is a lot more instruction available for E9th, than for any other tuning.
On second thought: I think Sneaky Pete played the track on Blue Bayou, and his tuning is fairly unique, and not E9th. However, I remember learning that tune years ago on E9th, and I had no problem duplicating his licks on E9th. I still think E9th would be your best choice. |
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Posted 14 Jul 2013 11:27 am
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Almost all of the single neck pedal steels made in the past 30 years are tuned to E9th. It's the standard tuning. Single neck C6th guitars are fairly rare.
It's best to get a 10-string E9th with 3 pedals and 4 knee levers. They are easy to find. Most instructional material is for E9th.
12 string "Universal" guitars are pretty overwhelming for beginners.
_________________
-𝕓𝕆𝕓- (admin) - Robert P. Lee - Recordings - Breathe - D6th - Video |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 14 Jul 2013 8:58 pm
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Actually, I believe it was Dan Dugmore on Blue Bayou. And it was Bruce Bouton on Highway 40 Blues.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
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Ken Metcalf
From:
San Antonio Texas USA
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Posted 15 Jul 2013 7:09 am
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| b0b wrote: |
Almost all of the single neck pedal steels made in the past 30 years are tuned to E9th. It's the standard tuning. Single neck C6th guitars are fairly rare.
It's best to get a 10-string E9th with 3 pedals and 4 knee levers. They are easy to find. Most instructional material is for E9th.
12 string "Universal" guitars are pretty overwhelming for beginners. |
Yes it's best to get a 10-string E9th with 3 pedals and 4 knee levers. They are easy to find. Most instructional material is for E9th.
The trouble with the question is you can't really know what you prefer until you have a year or two in.
I would add in my opinion 12 String Universal is no more overwhelming for a beginner than a D-10 and maybe easier in some respects.
Learning PSG for most Newbies is overwhelming and local lessons are highly recommended this will influence your opinion by exposure.
_________________
MSA 12 String E9th/B6th Universal.
Little Walter PF-89.
Bunch of stomp boxes |
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Brint Hannay
From:
Maryland, USA
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Posted 15 Jul 2013 7:17 am
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| Richard Sinkler wrote: |
| Actually, I believe it was Dan Dugmore on Blue Bayou. And it was Bruce Bouton on Highway 40 Blues. |
That's correct, and both on E9th.
Another thing that hasn't been mentioned that makes E9th easier to learn for a guitar player is that fret positions for basic major chords correspond to those you know on guitar for barre chords: G and C at the 3rd fret, E and B at the 7th fret, etc. |
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