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Topic: Just started playing laptop (one year) |
Richard Stoops
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 20 Dec 2016 11:15 am |
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| Hi, I'm relatively new to laptop steel playing, but have played regular guitar for many years. I'm currently using C6 tuning, but have been told that it is not very good for Country music. I have learned quite a lot from watching youtube, but would like to learn some of the E tunings. There was a lot of C6 info on youtube, but not much on E. Also, it would help a lot to hear the different tunings played by experienced players. Any suggestions of where to go on my computer to hear samples of the different E tunings? |
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Jeff Mead
From:
London, England
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Posted 20 Dec 2016 11:22 am
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Who told you that? If you're into old time country (eg Hank Williams) it's perfect. Don Helms who played and recorded with Hank for many years as wall as Patsy Cline and others, used an E6 on his top 6 strings on 90â„… of what he played which was exactly the same as the common C6 tuning moved up 4 frets.
C6 (or A6) is the tuning I would recommend to anyone who wanted to play country. |
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David M Brown
From:
California, USA
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Posted 20 Dec 2016 12:00 pm
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I agree with Jeff, all the 6th tunings are great for old-time Country and Western music.
Between some 6th tuning and a tuning based on E7 you'd be well covered for most material. |
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David Matzenik
From:
Cairns, on the Coral Sea
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Posted 20 Dec 2016 12:17 pm
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I don't play laptops anymore. They run hot and the fans burn out too quickly.
_________________
Don't go in the water after lunch. You'll get a cramp and drown. - Mother. |
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Stephen Abruzzo
From:
Philly, PA
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Posted 20 Dec 2016 1:21 pm
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As, the others have said, C6 is great for country music.
This is what I would suggest for an alternate tuning should you find you want/need a change. Lo-to-hi
C6--- C-E-G-A-C-E
E9--- B-D-F#-G#-B-E
The E9 will give you great rock/blues should you need it. Check out Mike Neer on YouTube as I think he did some stellar work using this E9. |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 20 Dec 2016 3:49 pm About those lap tops.
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To discover how well C6th works for country, give a listen to the tunes posted on the JerryByrd-FanClub.com
Let us know your impression after listening to it. |
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Wayne D. Clark
From:
Montello Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 20 Dec 2016 4:11 pm
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| Just to add another option Richard, I tune my 6th string top to bottom. E, B, G#, E, C#, B, the same on my 8 string with the 7th and 8th String G#, E. That also is off the E7th tuning of the 50's and 60's. It also plays well in Gospel music. |
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Chris Templeton
From:
The Green Mountain State
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Posted 20 Dec 2016 5:02 pm
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If you strum across the strings on a C6th tuning, that 6th note sticks out like a sore thumb, immediately making one think of tumbling tumbleweeds, etc.
Ray is quite right about there being so much to the C6th tuning.
I played with Dan Hicks And His Acoustic warriors for a few gigs, in the early 90's, and I chose to play a dobro with a C6th. That worked well for Dan's swing stuff like "I Got Mine", and when it came to a song that called for E9 style playing, the C6 tuning was great for Country.
Since you said you are relatively new to laptop style, Richard, It sounds like you have your work cut out for you, learning forward and reverse slants. They opened up E9 style playing on C6th for me.
_________________
Excel 3/4 Pedal With An 8 String Hawaiian Neck, Tapper (10 string with a raised fretboard to fret with fingers), Single neck Fessenden 3/5
"The Tapper" : https://christophertempleton.bandcamp.com/album/the-tapper
Soundcloud Playlist: https://soundcloud.com/bluespruce8: |
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Scott Duckworth
From:
Etowah, TN Western Foothills of the Smokies
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Posted 20 Dec 2016 5:55 pm
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Wayne, that's the same tuning I use and I love it...
_________________
Amateur Radio Operator NA4IT (Extra)
http://www.qsl.net/na4it
I may, in fact, be nuts. However, I am screwed onto the right bolt... Jesus! |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 21 Dec 2016 3:56 pm
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Hard to beat the C6th tuning for all-around playing, and old country stuff..  |
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Richard Stoops
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 22 Dec 2016 2:21 am
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| I'm convinced that you're right about C6 being a good tuning. It is a very straight forward tuning for playing. When I get better with this I will try some of the variations I've seen, but I enjoy playing just the way it is for now. |
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Frank Freniere
From:
The First Coast
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Posted 22 Dec 2016 12:10 pm
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| David Matzenik wrote: |
| I don't play laptops anymore. They run hot and the fans burn out too quickly. |
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Stefan Robertson
From:
Hertfordshire, UK
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Posted 22 Dec 2016 1:14 pm
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| Bill Creller wrote: |
| Hard to beat the C6th tuning for all-around playing, and old country stuff.. |
Still feel its missing a 9th and Dom7 voicings variations which means as an all rounder its lacking in my books.
And the dim7ths and 7b9
However make it a C# like Jerry Byrd and you get a lot of that.
Or welcome to E13 classic Western Swing
_________________
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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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 22 Dec 2016 1:30 pm
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Richard, you are in the fun time area of learning steel guitar!
Tuning-wise, everyone has an opinion, and will tell ya what to use |
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David M Brown
From:
California, USA
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Posted 22 Dec 2016 2:14 pm
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| Stefan Robertson wrote: |
Still feel its missing a 9th and Dom7 voicings variations which means as an all rounder its lacking in my books.
And the dim7ths and 7b9
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I'm sure you know there are "tricks" for getting those chords on the 6th tunings, without retuning.
Dom7 can be gotten by pulling behind the bar.
Let's say were are in C6 at the 12th fret
strings are high to low E C A G E C, with the top strings being used:
pull the 2nd string C to C# and it's an A7
pull the 3rd string A to Bb and it's a C7 chord
Some slants that need the tip of the bar to cover 2 strings give various dim triads and a 9th chord, and so on.
Also 2 options for Aug triads.....
But you are right about all the tunings, too. That's the beauty of this beast of an instrument. |
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Stefan Robertson
From:
Hertfordshire, UK
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Posted 23 Dec 2016 1:33 am
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True. This instrument is a beast but a jewel.
_________________
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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Jeff Mead
From:
London, England
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Posted 23 Dec 2016 3:58 am
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| Whatever tuning you go for, you won't have everything but you can often imply chords by just playing some of the notes from it - other instruments in the band will provide the missing notes and it'll sound fine. |
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David M Brown
From:
California, USA
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Posted 23 Dec 2016 5:07 am
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| Jeff Mead wrote: |
| Whatever tuning you go for, you won't have everything. |
Amen - there is NO tuning that does it all as well as possible. |
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