Dave Dube
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Posted 22 Aug 2016 3:24 pm |
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As you know some 6-string PSG players use B-E-G#-B-E-G# "E tuning," while some use "Inside 6" (E-F#-G#-B-E-G#) E9th tuning. I would like to give you a few reasons why the inside 6 will be worth learning and using.
Reasons to have an F# string on your 6-string...
1.) If you eventually wish to play ten-string, it will be helpful to use inside 6 because the inside 6 is exactly the same as the middle 6 strings on a ten-string. You will get used to skipping a string on grips. This is something you will need on a ten string. Everything you learn will transfer directly.
2.) Playing "inside 6" will allow you to easily play walk-ups on your 6-string such as found in many songs.
3.) This is the real prize for using "inside 6." You can use it right now to increase your versatility. If you have an F#--the reason why the tuning is called E9th--you will be able to get a pedals-down 6th chord and a pedals up 9th chord. These are useful western swing type chords and along with your E lower and your A pedal, both of which also can be used to give you a 6th chord, you can get "that sound" which is useful for western swing, rockabilly and recreating a "vintage" sound. This works on your 6-string and will transfer to a ten-string and make you that much more versatile. What follows below will demonstrate how you can add this sound to your skill set.
This sample of Faux C6th is provided courtesy of Mr. Mickey Adams. If you don't know who he is, you need to. He has made countless teaching videos available on you tube (see Mickey Adams index below), he has written a book for beginners (see book.html below), he is a Mullen guitar dealer (See Mullen dealers page below for contact info) and he is presently working on a steel guitar mechanics video here:
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=305275
Mickey Adams resources:
http://www.richardsinkler.net/_mickey_adams/index.html
http://www.richardsinkler.net/_mickey_adams/book.html
http://www.mullenguitars.com/Dealers.htm#.V64b5E0rK70
Anyway, this Mickey Adams who has been so busy in the steel guitar world is the one we have to thank for this youtube video lesson showing the kick off for "All My Exes Live in Texas:"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD_91pec6aY
Now one thing you are going to notice is that the C6th chord sound is fat and Bass-y and your little 6 is a bit short in the bass department. That being said, fatten up your sound however you can. Obviously you can use electronics to do a little bit, but I am not going to go into that here, you can search it on the forum if you are so inclined. Your best way to fatten up your sound will be to pick hard while controlling your volume to keep it even and use three finger grips whenever possible. In this example we only miss the bass on the first grip.
You can find more Faux C6 lessons from Mickey on the index page given above.
For More Info...
Finally, if you care to learn more about playing in this style using your 6 string PSG, you might have a look at this video of Eddie Rivers, from asleep at the wheel. Now Eddie isn't playing a PSG--actually he is playing a lap steel tuned to A6th (the same as pedals down on inside 6 tuning)-- but that's OK 'cause he is showing you a way to play when you have the pedals down (A6 inside 6) or E's lowered (B6). When you put those changes on you are in a 6th tuning just like he is in this video. When you are in this mode you can play just as though you were on an A6 tuned guitar and you can apply what Eddie is teaching in the following video. Give it a look and see if you can put together some swing sounds of your own.
Eddie Rivers A6 Lesson:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rARCcW3I0K4&list=PLrXRuisvVrPk_cqaNUyynPPSz_VzRpW7E |
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Harry Dove
From:
Michigan, USA
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Posted 26 Sep 2016 9:27 pm
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| When I play lap steel I use the E7 tuning, (B,D,E,G#,B,E). This teaches you the 10 string E9 from the bottom up and lets you use that 5th string for 7th chords. It's also very easy to slide the bar up two frets on string 4 to get the F#. |
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