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Topic: Can't get away from a 6th |
Stefan Robertson
From:
Hertfordshire, UK
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Posted 5 Sep 2016 5:28 am |
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So in starting my studies I am starting to see such a value in a 6th tuning.
Example when playing at speed lots of string bending on lap steel just isn't cutting it.
So added 2 extra strings which gives me a full C6th essentially Tom Morrell tuning for the first 8 strings.
Which means my beautiful low end C# and E root notes had to be sacrificed. Dang.
_________________
Stefan
Bill Hatcher custom 12 string Lap Steel Guitar
E13#9/F secrets: https://thelapsteelguitarist.wordpress.com
"Give it up for The Lap Steel Guitarist" |
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Webb Kline
From:
Orangeville, PA
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Posted 6 Sep 2016 12:38 pm
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My parents swing danced when Mom was pregnant with me. Mom loved big band and Dad loved western swing and introduced me to Wills, Williams, Cooley era music early on, which really, the steel tuned to a 6th tuning took the place of the big band in the western bands. I was almost literally born to swing, so I can't do without the 6 th tuning.
But, I got a way from pedal guitar because I'm also a piano player, and I needed a way to play both in the same songs, and so I started playing non-pedal guitars, which I mount on 2 second tier keyboard stand above my piano.
McAuliffe used E13 quite a bit, and I've seen Asleep at the Wheel live a and have talked with Eddie Rivers, and I noticed that he would go back and forth between the C6 and E13 necks a lot even in the same song. So, I got another steel and tune it to E13. Man, now that I've really gotten on to it, this is a blast. At first, I didn't think I would use E13 all that much, but I am using it almost as much as the C6. Once you understand the correlation between the two, they become an extension of one another. It gives me a lot of options that I haven't been able to get without pedals, from both necks. |
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Michael James
From:
La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 7 Sep 2016 9:02 am
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Hey Stefan,
I've seen you go through several tuning over the past several months. I always hear from you how each tuning will expand your options or make things easier.
I think at this point you may consider playing piano or guitar or pedal steel with as many strings, pedals and knee levers as you find. It doesn't seem like you're finding what your looking for.
If you want to have all common harmonic and melodic possibilities easily at your disposal I suggest you play an instrument that can easily do that.
For my self, I play a lot of jazz guitar and for 20 years I have enjoyed the speed and easily accessible harmonic possibilities of guitar.
When I came to lap steel I wasn't looking for it to do same things that I can on guitar. I wanted it to do the things I can't do on guitar. I think you need to embrace the tuning you choose. Don't see your tuning of choice as having limitations, but see it as a personality. A personality that is an extension of your own personality. In that you will be content.
Now I must go and do some Yoga and meditate. LOL 
mj |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 8 Sep 2016 6:29 am
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| Michael James wrote: |
Hey Stefan,
I've seen you go through several tuning over the past several months. I always hear from you how each tuning will expand your options or make things easier.
I think at this point you may consider playing piano or guitar or pedal steel with as many strings, pedals and knee levers as you find. It doesn't seem like you're finding what your looking for.
If you want to have all common harmonic and melodic possibilities easily at your disposal I suggest you play an instrument that can easily do that.
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I'd rather think that he's open to experimenting and maybe hasn't had the experience you've had yet. There isn't one standard tuning for steel guitar that everyone uses.
I do agree that starting with a common tuning is probably the best way to learn, but his tuning choice is part of his journey.
_________________
Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars
Last edited by Brad Bechtel on 8 Sep 2016 11:55 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Michael James
From:
La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 8 Sep 2016 7:00 am
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Hey Brad, You probably right. I guess we all take different paths to get to our destination.
Again, I must go do some Yoga and meditate for a while. LOL |
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Jack Aldrich
From:
Washington, USA
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Posted 8 Sep 2016 3:40 pm
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As I have posted several times in the forum, since the 6 note and the 1 note above is are the 3 and 5 notes for the IV chord, there is a "pocket" around the 1 chord, e.g., in C, the F chord is on the same fret as the 1, and the 5 chord, G, is 2 frets up. IMHO it doesn't matter whether you us a C6, D6, E6, or G6, you can use the same patterns.
_________________
Jack Aldrich
Carter & ShoBud D10's
D8 & T8 Stringmaster
Rickenbacher B6
3 Resonator guitars
Asher Alan Akaka Special SN 6
Canopus D8 |
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David Mason
From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
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Posted 9 Sep 2016 3:05 pm
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Well, I can't live without a 6th-er around, but then, I was trying b0b's hybrid thing for a while, which was
E
B
G#
E
C#
A - Only I stuck another couple down low:
E
C#
And I couldn't "get it." So, as solves so many other problems, the solution is:  TOO MANY GUITARS! So now my happy 8-string Foulke(r) is at:
E - 5
C#- 3
A - 1
E - 5
C#- 3
A - 1
E - 5
C#- 3
Roar, snarl, howl... And the MSA tenner is holding down an A6th, identical to the pedal steel C6th only lower:
E - 5
C#- 3
A - 1
F#- 6
E - 5
C#- 3
A - 1
F#- 6
D - 4
A - 1
don't practice harder, don't practice smarter, practice LAZIER... if thine 6th note fricketh thou up, yee CAST IT OUT! The top tuning is still just a twist or two away from warping off anyhows. |
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Wayne D. Clark
From:
Montello Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 9 Sep 2016 4:07 pm
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| Dave, I have the first 5 strings on my "8" tuned E,B,G#,E,C#. But I just repeat 6,7, & 8 to match 2,3 &4 B,G#,E,. Like they say every one has their favorite Tuning. Tune to what you like and get the most mileage. |
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Jim Davies
From:
Charlottesville VA
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Posted 9 Sep 2016 5:12 pm
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| My 9 string is e6 165316532 the 2 is 1 step up from the second 1. I've using the play little Walter harp licks. |
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Stefan Robertson
From:
Hertfordshire, UK
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Posted 12 Sep 2016 12:52 am
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True I've decided to forego my root notes and accept that its not needed. But I do miss them.
I am starting to piece together ideas on a C6th.
How would you approach a 2-5-1 on a C6th? I've figured out a few voicings but have noticed though correct aren't traditional what Tom and others play on C6th.
So Dm7-G7-CMaj7
What is your approach?
_________________
Stefan
Bill Hatcher custom 12 string Lap Steel Guitar
E13#9/F secrets: https://thelapsteelguitarist.wordpress.com
"Give it up for The Lap Steel Guitarist" |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Brian McGaughey
From:
Orcas Island, WA USA
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Posted 13 Sep 2016 5:31 am
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That's the meat and potatoes of it right there Brad. Couldn't be any more concise.
It's wonderful that some folks are willing to document and share what they've learned. |
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