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Post new topic Classic Country licks on Open E tuning??
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Author Topic:  Classic Country licks on Open E tuning??
Steve Green


From:
Gulfport, MS, USA
Post  Posted 2 Dec 2016 8:16 am    
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When I got my first lap steel several years ago, I chose to go with C6 tuning, and have PRETTY MUCH stuck with ever since. The only exceptions being a few brief periods of trying alternate tunings available on the same string set, i.e. A6, B11, Leavitt, etc.

I got my first Dobro a couple of years ago, and started learning open G (1-3-5-1-3-5), and have gotten somewhat used to it, as well.

I’ve never really been into rock-steel or blues-steel, so I’ve basically stayed away from open E (1-5-1-3-5-1).

I am now; however, thinking about getting one of Ted Smith’s Melobar double necks – with a standard Tele style neck over a six string steel. With it, I may want to delve into some rock flavored blues style stuff, so I’m considering open E. The problem is, I don’t want to give up the classic country licks and fills I’ve learned on C6. I’m basically talking about the Don Helms / Little Roy Wiggins type stuff.

I guess my main questions are:

Have any of you played classic country music on six-string open E tuning?
How complicated is it?
Can you point me to any YouTube examples of classic country on open E?
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David M Brown


From:
California, USA
Post  Posted 2 Dec 2016 8:21 am    
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I'd suggest looking at the old E7 tuning, B D E G# B E, there's a lot of cool stuff that you can play in old-time country in that tuning.

Also from the E B E G# B E tuning, you can use an E7 like E B D G# B E or the classic E B E G# C# E by raising the B to C3.
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Doug Beaumier


From:
Northampton, MA
Post  Posted 2 Dec 2016 8:55 am    
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Steve, I've been playing E tuning lately, and there are some nice Country sounds available if you use bar slants. There's a convenient slant on strings 1 & 3 that sounds good. You can hear/see it in my recent demo of the Epiphone Electar reissue lap steel, E tuning ---> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkCZbCcFzy4
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Jim Wilmoth

 

From:
California, USA
Post  Posted 2 Dec 2016 11:23 am     E Tuning and cournty licks
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I found this guy on youtube who I found to be very impressive with the faux pedal steel country sounds with an E based tuning.

https://youtu.be/iw6XvISAPjQ
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David M Brown


From:
California, USA
Post  Posted 2 Dec 2016 12:00 pm     Re: E Tuning and cournty licks
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Jim Wilmoth wrote:
I found this guy on youtube who I found to be very impressive with the faux pedal steel country sounds with an E based tuning.

https://youtu.be/iw6XvISAPjQ


He's good with the behind-the-bar string pulls!
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Roy Thomson


From:
Wolfville, Nova Scotia,Canada
Post  Posted 2 Dec 2016 12:21 pm    
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Hi Steve,

I have lots of tab and files for E major tuning.
On my sound clip here under using a Resonator
straight E Major. Nine Pound Hammer, Boogie Progression,
Crying Time. All are short and may prove to be helpful??
Link to MP3.....

http://picosong.com/U5Lk

Best Wishes
Roy
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Robert Allen

 

From:
Tennessee, USA
Post  Posted 2 Dec 2016 6:55 pm    
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Steve, I have one of my lap steels tuned low to high E B E G# B E. I just mailed you some tabs of Tennessee Waltz, Georgia Steel Guitar, and Long Black Veil.
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Terry VunCannon


From:
Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
Post  Posted 3 Dec 2016 7:05 am    
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Although I don't go for the traditional country sound, I do use the open E(EBEG#BE), and have found so many great sounds with straight & slants.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8r387iGCCc
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Andy Volk


From:
Boston, MA
Post  Posted 3 Dec 2016 7:33 am    
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Raphael McGregor does some really nice string pulls here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNxsk7Yqdlk
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b0b


From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
Post  Posted 3 Dec 2016 10:19 am    
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I used D over G for my Stella album, and was able to get all of the country and blues licks that I needed. For electric lap steel, I recommend raising it a step to E over A: A C# E G# B E.
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Bill Leff


From:
Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Post  Posted 4 Dec 2016 6:22 pm     Re: E Tuning and cournty licks
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Jim Wilmoth wrote:
I found this guy on youtube who I found to be very impressive with the faux pedal steel country sounds with an E based tuning.

https://youtu.be/iw6XvISAPjQ


This guy is using bOb's E tuning. Very impressive indeed!
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Rick Abbott

 

From:
Indiana, USA
Post  Posted 4 Dec 2016 6:28 pm    
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b0b wrote:
I used D over G for my Stella album, and was able to get all of the country and blues licks that I needed. For electric lap steel, I recommend raising it a step to E over A: A C# E G# B E.


b0b, I've never heard the "D over G" terminology. The example you spell out means "an A chord on the low strings, and an E chord on the high strings?" It looks like a cool way to compress related tunings. Hmmm.

AND, what a cool album! Who is singing? I really like the album, it reminds me of stuff recorded by folks way back. Simple, direct and honest.
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b0b


From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
Post  Posted 4 Dec 2016 8:28 pm    
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Thanks, Rick. That album is all me in my garage studio. No overdubs - I sang while I played and stomped my foot. I'm very proud of it.
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