B11 variation - Waipio Beyond the Rainbow

Steve Atwood · Post by **Steve Atwood** » 4 May 2016 4:48 pm

We need more arrangements in B11. Here's one I stumbled on experimenting with Bobby Ingano's C6 version of Waipio Beyond the Rainbow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DRrAlXjeVI).

My version is in A C# D# F# A C# E F (lo-hi):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxbQjxg ... e=youtu.be

Some mistakes, but it's listenable. Hope you enjoy it.

Tab here: http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... 96#2514096

Any suggestions of other songs this tuning would be good for?

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 4 May 2016 5:23 pm

Here are my arrangements in B11. http://www.volkmediabooks.com/products- ... 1th-tuning

B11th is really under explored IMHO. It's close-voiced harmonies can give you a sound that's really different than other lap steel tunings. It's not as strong as an all-around tuning as say, C6th or A6th but for the right song it can be magical.

Can you have a B11th tuning with no B?

Tom Campbell · Post by **Tom Campbell** » 5 May 2016 5:26 am

I like B11 so much I put it on my pedal steel using an O pedal and my A pedal to get the necessary pulls for a 7 note B11.
Try B11 playing "Canadian Sunset" it's a terrific tuning for this song.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 5 May 2016 6:01 am

Here are some pages introducing and explaining B11th tuning from my book. Free download.

https://www.dropbox.com/home/Public?pre ... +B11th.pdf

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 5 May 2016 7:23 am

I have some free B11 info on my blog. Check these pages:

---> http://playsteelguitar.com/2015/12/

---> http://playsteelguitar.com/2016/03/

I have tablature and audio for three B11 classics in my 16 Song book/CD ---> http://playsteelguitar.com/book3-16-songs/

Here's a video demo featuring B11 tuning I did a while ago ---> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCbmbUQbLN8

Can you have a B11th tuning with no B?

Interesting question, Andy. Some 6-string versions have no B string. Without the B it's not a B11 chord... but in the quirky world of steel guitar we still call the tuning B11. When I play 6-string B11 I tune string 6 to either C# or B, depending on the song I'm playing. In my 16 Song book I use C# (no B), but I only pick string 6 one time in the three B11 songs in the book, I believe. With 8-string steel there's no reason not to include B, in my opinion.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 5 May 2016 7:28 am

I use a low B for my 6-string version of B11th, Doug, but sometimes also lower string 6 to C#. The question never even occurred to me before. Let's just say the spirit of B11th hovers over the tuning even when there's no B!

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 5 May 2016 7:49 am

Yes, the signature sound of B11 is the rich 9th chord in the tuning (B9 open). That lush chord can be heard within the context of a song even without the root (B). And in a band situation... the bass player and the guitarist will play the B!

Steve Atwood · Post by **Steve Atwood** » 5 May 2016 11:25 am

Tom, Thanks for suggesting Canadian Sunset. I've never heard it before - nice! Here's a good version of it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6VTlLTdNrY

Andy and Doug, you were all over this thread! No disrespect intended - your work is great - I appreciate all you contribute, but I think everybody knows about your books by now. We still need more arrangements. And I was looking more for something new that might fit into this tuning with the high F. I've never seen that variation used and this song just happens to lay out really well in it - lots of slides possible from one position to the next. Maybe listening to this song someone might be reminded of something similar.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 5 May 2016 11:57 am

"Canadian Sunset" lays out very well on B11 lap steel. Much of the melody is available with full chords too, without slants.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 5 May 2016 1:04 pm

Point taken, Steve, and no disrespect felt. The high F is an interesting choice. How about ...????

Moonglow
Tunes with Ragtime chord progressions like Walk Right In and Aliceâ€™s Restaurant
One Mint Julip
Beautiful Kahana
Manor Des Mes Reves (Django's Castle)
Stolen Moments

Steve Atwood · Post by **Steve Atwood** » 5 May 2016 4:51 pm

Doug, I'm sure your fans, including me, would love to see you do a video of that.

Andy, Thanks for the suggestions. Your familiarity with different kinds of music is amazing. I found some videos and they're all fun to listen to, but the only one I would attempt would be a simple version of Beautiful Kahana.

This has been an interesting diversion into Hawaiian music again and learning how to use my new recording interface. Time to get back into the classical pieces I've been working on for a year on my 12-string. Haven't practiced in three days and I have to keep at it.

John Ed Kelly · Post by **John Ed Kelly** » 5 May 2016 6:45 pm

Sounds interesting!

Can some one post a 6 string version please? low to high.

ta,

jk

Keith Glendinning · Post by **Keith Glendinning** » 5 May 2016 11:25 pm

Hi John,
The common B11 tuning for 6 String is: Lo to Hi : C# D# F# A C# E. The Lo C# can also be tuned down to B. Andy Volk uses both tunings in his book "18 Arrangements for B11 Tuning".
Keith.

John Ed Kelly · Post by **John Ed Kelly** » 6 May 2016 7:20 pm

Thanks Keith.

I will probably muck about with the B11 and make it a higher or lower chord depending on what my current string gauges will permit.

I already broke my top top F string last week (on another guitar) by injudicious experimenting.

Jack Aldrich · Post by **Jack Aldrich** » 7 May 2016 10:38 am

I learned Jules Ah See's B11 from Alan Akaka. From low to high it's: B F# B D# F# A C# E. The bottom 5 strings are B7, and the top 4 strings are an A6. Jerry Byrd's B11 is similar, replacing the 6th string B with a C# and the 7th string F# with an A. IMHO, Jerry wanted to play more notes with the fundamental A than Jules's tuning. I play the Jules tuning - it gets some fantastic low chords for tunes like "Sand" and "Mapuana".

Andy Costigan · Post by **Andy Costigan** » 10 May 2016 4:49 pm

Anthony Locke is an absolute master on B11 (with no root). here's his beautiful work on Wayne Hancock's rendition of "Midnight, The Stars and You"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFGBYxEJ0xQ
and here he is discussing his tunings then playing "Stardust".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zLYfhyIfKI
Check out Youtube clips of him playing behind Wayne Hancock. He often jumps onto his B11 neck.

Steve Atwood · Post by **Steve Atwood** » 10 May 2016 8:04 pm

Tony's incredible. You have some nice videos too Andy -- in B11?

I remembered the list of Jerry Byrd tabs from Scotty's Music (don't know if they're still available since Scotty passed away):

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... ippery+elm

10 are in B11:

Carefree
Crossroads to Paradise
Hana
Harbor Lights
Mapuana
Rainbows Over Paradise
South Sea Moon
Sweet Lei Lehua
Waipio
Rhythm of the Islands

I have Roy Thomson's version of Mapuana and Kuu Maka, maybe he has others.

Andy Costigan · Post by **Andy Costigan** » 12 May 2016 9:06 pm

thanks Steve. the only tune I play in B11 is "Midnight, the Stars and You". I've spread myself thin trying to learn songs in lots of tunings. Al Bowly's version from 1934 is beautiful too. great piano! and strings!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJ9aT-Wa_tE