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Topic: Why are they called the chromatic strings? |
Jim Sliff
From:
Lawndale California, USA
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Posted 21 Jan 2017 9:34 pm |
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It's the same kind of terminology as "chromatic banjo", where alternating strings are used often for melodic runs as opposed to 6-string like single-string playing.
It's not a technically correct term, but it's in common usage.
Many terms are either somewhat unique in usage or specific to pedal steel. "Copedent" is a made-up word. "Blocking" has a steel-specific definition. "Cabinet drop" is a meaningless phrase unless you are familiar with pedal steel. "Universal" its own meaning - and not always an absolutely consistent one - in the pedal steel world.
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No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional |
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Jeff Harbour
From:
Western Ohio, USA
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Posted 23 Jan 2017 3:30 am Re: Lane I was thinking along the same lines.
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| Bob Bestor wrote: |
| Aren't both F# and D# in the major scale of E? I am theory-challenged but I had always heard players use the word chromatic when describing a run of consecutive half-tones (ie: E, F, F#, G). |
Bob... Yes, but the base tuning is E dominant 9th... Which is the 5-chord in the key of "A" (which doesn't have a D#). |
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Jeff Harbour
From:
Western Ohio, USA
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Posted 23 Jan 2017 3:34 am
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Okay, I know we'll never settle the discussion... but here's another attempt.
We call it the "E9 Chromatic Tuning". Without strings 1 & 2, chromatic playing becomes impractical... Therefore, we call them the "chromatic strings", because they allow you to easily play chromatic lines. |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 23 Jan 2017 5:14 am
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I don't know what it technically is. However I accept Chromatic and go on with business, doesn't make a damn either way.
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GFI Ultra Keyless S-10 with pad (Black of course) TB202 amp, Hilton VP, Steelers Choice sidekick seat, SIT Strings
Cakewalk by Bandlab and Studio One V4.6 pro DAWs, MOTU Ultralite MK5 recording interface unit |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 23 Jan 2017 6:15 am
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| Jeff Harbour wrote: |
Okay, I know we'll never settle the discussion... but here's another attempt.
We call it the "E9 Chromatic Tuning". Without strings 1 & 2, chromatic playing becomes impractical... Therefore, we call them the "chromatic strings", because they allow you to easily play chromatic lines. |
The discussion, I thought, WAS settled. We call them that because Shot Jackson called them that circa 55 years ago, despite the fact that the word doesn't fit the application. But it's stuck because Shot was the largest manufacturer of the machines.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Ian Rae
From:
Redditch, England
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Posted 23 Jan 2017 8:14 am
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| ...or as Jack Stoner wrote: |
| I accept Chromatic and go on with business, doesn't make a damn either way. |
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Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs |
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Brian Henry
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Posted 23 Jan 2017 8:17 am
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| I guess just because they are! |
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