Uses for Ninth D string

[John Scanlon]

Wondering what all uses are out there in your collective bag of tricks for the 9th D string on a standard E9. It is by far my least played string. (Probably a good argument for an Ext. E9 or Uni.)

I see it as
1) a good low flat-7 for dom7 chords,
2) connecting all the low strings chromatically together (B-C(half pedal)-C#-D-D#-E-F), but I never use it for that other than in fretboard memory exercises.

I don't really use it to go a whole step low below the root during riffs, because I prefer simply to move the bar down for that so I can hear the slide.

I'm still a relative beginner/intermediate (that's part of the problem), and I'm still hacking away on my Carter Starter (I know, I know...) even at gigs, so changing copedent is not an option until I save up the dough for an upgrade.

Give me some good ideas for this string.

[James Wolf]

This got me going with it!

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=VoYf3fXn ... oYf3fXna90

[Mark van Allen]

For scales and riffs, notice that string 9,8,7 give you the same pitches as 8,7,6 a whole step lower. Some great whole-tone and chromatic moves between those two positions, and the 9,8,7 string position leads into a great ascending/descending sliding major, major pentatonic, or minor (various) patterns continuing up and down the neck. Speed picking central.
While it will take some thought and application, see what chords and patterns you get using the 9th string as a root, 3rd, 5th of a chord rather than just the obvious dominant 7 you've noticed relative to "no pedals" position. For example, there's a gorgeous major 9th chord available using the 9th string as root, again, a whole step above the "no pedals" position.
If you have the half-step lower on that string, there's a whole 'nother world of cool stuff.

[Ken Metcalf]

Try 9,6,5 on and off the A pedal to the Pedals down resolution with 8'6'5

[Bob Hoffnar]

I'm still a relative beginner/intermediate (that's part of the problem), and I'm still hacking away on my Carter Starter (I know, I know...) even at gigs, so changing copedent is not an option until I save up the dough for an upgrade.

Losing the 9th string would be a major downgrade in my opinion. That string is a key to the elegance of the E9 tuning. It is a built in tri tone which is the most basic tension and release function of western harmony.

One way I look at it is I use the 9th string as my root note instead of the 8th string. That way my B pedal is a #4 to 5th and my A pedal is a 6th to major 7th.

Try playing your scale patterns starting on the 9th string. Very very useful.

[Carl Mesrobian]

I discovered (newbie also) that 9-7-5 gives you the 5 minor of the fret you're on. e.g., on 3rd fret 9-7-5 is D minor triad.

Squeeze B and C on fifth fret with 9th string as root, you get some pretty cool G voicings using 9,7,6,5,4

[Bob Hoffnar]

Also the 9th string along with the B pedal in 2nd string lowered to D makes the entire neck into a B minor pentatonic scale.

The D string historically is from 13th tunings. Like what Joaquin Murphey used.

Having that string makes your basic Carter Starter E9 into a universal tuning once you know how to use it.

Eliminating the 9th string is like going into house you are building and deciding to get rid of all those poles that are in the way. You know, the ones that hold up the roof.

[Carl Mesrobian]

The more I fool with strings 1, 2,7, and 9 and away from the major grips, the happier I get. That's just the jazz guitarist in me

[Roual Ranes]

I have to agree with Bob Hoffnar on this. I cannot do without that 9th and I am just a novice.

[Rick Schmidt]

the D is also the minor 3rd of the 10th string (B)

If you look at the tuning from the bottom up, there's a strong Bmin triad on strings 10-9-7. Add string 6 and you have a minor 6...press the B pedal and viola, you have a great B minor 7.

[Mike Cass]

key of Eb, 1 measure each:
fret 6, strings 4,5,6,9(lower 1/2),
fret 2, strings 5,6,9(no lower) w/pedA,

fret 4, strings 5,6,9(lower 1/2)+2 beats and slide to:
fret 3, release 9 lower(hold for 2 beats only), resolve to:
fret 1, strings 5,6,9(no lower)w/pedals A+B.

Not most steel players favorite Ray Price tune but one of mine, nonetheless.
That little bit should give you an idea of what is available with string9 in the mix.

[Greg Cutshaw]

A bunch of the tabs on my "C6 on E9th" page use the 9th string. Maybe you could just click on each of the sound files and learn a few that interest you!


http://www.gregcutshaw.com/C6th%20On%20 ... 0E9th.html


Greg

[Jerry Jones]

I think I’d sooner dump my 10th string than my 9th.

I like this little walk down....embellish as needed.....any fret.

strings 5 6 7 9 (pedal B)
strings 5 6 8 9 (pedal B + F lever)
strings 5 6 8 9 (pedal B + lower 9)
strings 5 6 8 9 (pedal B + lower 9 + Eb lever)
strings 5 6 7 9 10 (pedal B)
strings 5 6 9 (on and off pedal A)
strings 6 8 10 (pedal AB)

[Herb Steiner]

Mike's example was driving me crazy, so I called and talked to Mr. Cass, who informed me that the correct last chord in his example occurs at FRET ONE, not fret TWO.

I'm posting the corrected version here:

key of Eb, 1 measure each:
fret 6, strings 4,5,6,9(lower 1/2),
fret 2, strings 5,6,9(no lower) w/pedA,

fret 4, strings 5,6,9(lower 1/2)+2 beats and slide to:
fret 3, release 9 lower(hold for 2 beats only), resolve to:
fret 1, strings 5,6,9(no lower)w/pedals A+B.

The song in question is "I Won't Mention It Again."

[John Scanlon]

OP here.

Wow, great stuff, guys. Thanks! Please keep 'em coming. I'm now looking very forward (moreso than usual) to tonight's practice session after the kids go to bed.

Having that string makes your basic Carter Starter E9 into a universal tuning once you know how to use it.

Excellent. Please keep helping me learn how to use it. I'm greatly appreciative.

PS - Mike and Herb, I can't lower my 9th string. Carter Starter fixed copedent.

[b0b]

I mostly use it as the root of the maj7 chord (pedals down). It's a Gmaj7 at the 5th fret, strings 9,7,6B,5A.

[Herb Steiner]

OP here.

PS - Mike and Herb, I can't lower my 9th string. Carter Starter fixed copedent.

As Rhett Butler said to Scarlett O'Hara in the last scene of Gone With The Wind,...

"That, my dear, is your misfortune."

However, a 9-6-5 bar slant is a fairly easy one to accomplish. That would be my suggestion. Slant the bar so that the 9th string is one fret lower than strings 5 and 6. You'll need a moderate vibrato to keep everything in tune. It's a very common non-pedal manuever and *looks* way cool to the other steel players scoping out your mojo.

[Ron Pruter]

I agree with bOb. I use this in "Don't let the sun catch you cryin". I also like to resolve the 9th string with my RKR, when I'm holding down my A and B pedal chord.
I throw it in alot on my 5 chords and ad my A pedal, then LKV to drop 1/2 then to no pedal. RP

[mike nolan]

Also, pick

fret 5
10 9 7
10 9 7 with 10 lowered 1/2 if you have it, then
10 9 7 with 10 lowered 1 step, if you have that

fret 3
10 8 6 with 10 lowered 1/2

fret 1
10 8 6

fret 3

10 8 6 A&B
10 8 6


arpeggiate it....

[Mike Cass]

Thanx for pointing out my error Herb, but really I was just checking to see who's paying attention not!

[Billy Carr]

Hey John, if you get a chance, come to the Brandon Opry on one of the Saturdays when the Brandon Opry Band is playing. I'm the steelman over there. Just bring a small tape recorder and I'll load you up with 9th string uses from everything like Memphis, Color My World and even NightLife. On the Carter Starters, the 9th string, D note, won't drop to a C# because of the set up. That C# note can be found on the 10th string with the B to C# raise on pedal#1. Usually 4 or 5 steelplayers in the audience. Our last show we had three steels on the stage, playing together at times. See ya buddy!

[Hook Moore]

Thanx for pointing out my error Herb, but really I was just checking to see who's paying attention not!

Mike, you did good

[John Scanlon]

Hey John, if you get a chance, come to the Brandon Opry on one of the Saturdays when the Brandon Opry Band is playing. I'm the steelman over there. Just bring a small tape recorder and I'll load you up with 9th string uses from everything like Memphis, Color My World and even NightLife. On the Carter Starters, the 9th string, D note, won't drop to a C# because of the set up. That C# note can be found on the 10th string with the B to C# raise on pedal#1. Usually 4 or 5 steelplayers in the audience. Our last show we had three steels on the stage, playing together at times. See ya buddy!

Sounds good, Billy. Been meaning to do this for some time now, and meet you in person. May 18?

[Billy Carr]

18th it is. Gotta a favorite steel song? Let me know and we may do it. I get to play a couple of instrumentals each show. I'm a John Hughey fan but my song choices reach into all styles and I study every steelman I can. See ya buddy!

[Mike Cass]

yep Hook, saw the bobber go down