Del Hillier
From:
British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 16 Apr 2020 11:09 am |
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Hello,
I have a Carter 5x3 E9th set-up and I am teaching myself 'how to play'.
Based on my analysis of the tuning and the fretboard, my approach has been to focus on the 1,3,5 and 6,7,8 (B, E, G#) strings and find 'horizontal' scales along the neck with all those strings. So far this has worked out pretty good.
In terms of the 'up and down' scales (perpendicular to my body and across the fretboard), I have been discovering them by playing across all 10 of the strings. Also, by plucking multiple strings up (in sets of 2's) and maybe I will try in groups of 3 - or maybe go more onto chords in that case.
My main question involves strings 9,7,2, and 1 (D, F#, D#, F#). With the 1st and 2nd strings played together, I am finding great scales and playability up and down the neck. As for the 9th and 7th strings, I haven't really played much with them in the same way (up and down the neck), but rather I have been incorporating them with my vertical scales. But, for instance, I have also found that the 6th and 7th can be played horizontally very nicely with the Carter's split tuning feature. So, guess I see some areas of exploration there.
I guess my actual question is this: As I have come to structure my thinking around breaking down the neck visually, what could one deduce from my evolution of understanding the fretboard (is there a historical reason why it is designed this way)? And, going forward, what other combinations of strings would it be worthwhile to focus on? Sometimes I wonder if I am understanding this instrument completely wrong - so, it would also be nice guidance to get some no-no's in terms of which strings will not compute horizontally. Like, are some combinations not worth my time finding?
I understand that at the end of the day there aren't any rules, but besides being self-taught, I want to be able to play improvisationally alongside other musicians.
I also understand there are many learning resources out there. But, I much prefer a more personal and holistic way of understanding and learning the instrument. But, any good and free resources always welcome.
I hope everyone is staying safe!
Del H. |
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Spencer Luckey
From:
Connecticut, USA
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Posted 8 May 2020 10:30 am
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Del,
I approach the pedal steel the way that this wonderful armpit guitar teacher taught me, and that is to basically learn all your chords in all the positions and practice simple patterns of the same chord in different positions. This is very effective in steel playing I found in that it facilitates melodic chord playing and movement. I know this is unspecific advice, and while your grips etc are important, looking beyond that to understand how the levers, pedals and bar are all be part of a slippery system is what makes the instrument so unique. That said, I should take some of my own medicine more often...
Cheers |
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