A7, B7, C7, D7, E7, F7, G7 Chords on 6 string lap steel C6

[Kurt Kikendall]

Since this thread started, I have been playing with changing tunings, etc. I pulled out my Scotty tab books and found Tennessee Waltz with tuning C# E G A C E. I am playing an 8 string CruzTone so I have
A C# E G A C E G
This has been a lot of fun. Big fat major triad on the bottom strings, Full 4 note 7th chords. Still have all my minor and minor 7th chords on the top strings. Also some great 1/3 harmonized scales with very easy slants open up using the C# string as the 3rd.

I'm glad I happened across this thread... got me out of a rut and experimenting and having fun.

[Stephan Miller]

Kurt, that's a cool tuning. And if you're willing-- temporarily-- to give up the fat major triad on the bottom, you can extend it further by tuning the low A to Bb. This will give Billy Hew Len's A13b9, only up 3 half steps to C13b9.

Gives you a 4-string diminished chord on the bottom, and the 13th chords are a blast once you start working out the grips.

I think of this as the "JB Combo"...blends the benefits of Jerry Byrd's C6/A7 with Junior Brown's C13.

Maybe not a tuning to use all the time, but since you were only a tweak away...

From high C6 (lo-hi) Bb C# E G A C E G
From A6 (lo-hi) G Bb C# E F# A C# E

[Kurt Kikendall]

That sounds interesting. I'll have to give it a try.

I'll admit, I can wrap my brain around major and minor triads, 4 voice chords( maj7, 7, min7, m7b5), dim, aug, but when we start getting into the 9ths and 13ths, I start to glaze over a bit....

[Twayn Williams]

That sounds interesting. I'll have to give it a try.

I'll admit, I can wrap my brain around major and minor triads, 4 voice chords( maj7, 7, min7, m7b5), dim, aug, but when we start getting into the 9ths and 13ths, I start to glaze over a bit....

It's a little easier if you think of the 9th as the 2nd and the 13th as the 6th in tandem with the 7th of the chord

CM9 = C-E-G-B-D or E-B-D
C9 = C-E-G-Bb-D or E-Bb-D
Cm9 = C-Eb-G-Bb-D or Eb-Bb-D

C13 = C-E-G-Bb-A or E-Bb-A

(hmmm, can't say as I've really seen a Maj or Min 13 chord in common usage before...)

[John Nigel]

This is from John Ely's site, the MOST useful device for beginners and advanced players alike..
A SUPERB device :-
http://www.hawaiiansteel.com/chordlocator/generic.php

AND a VERY advanced version :-
http://www.hawaiiansteel.com/chordlocator/advanced.php

You can even define your own special tuning here:_
http://www.hawaiiansteel.com/chordlocator/addcustom.php

If you use it don't forget to thank John for his work..
Baz

This is so useful \. Everyone should have a look.

[Michael Kiese]

A "real" dom 7 has the 3rd and b7th in it, root is usually negligible because the bass player will be covering it.

^^^THIS^^^

Most of the important things have already been addressed.

I'd just like to kindly and respectfully remind people that the point is to help Mr. Steve Duke who just recently began his journey on steel. We're trying to help this guy, not argue over music theory.

Steve: Added bits of general advice in order to be helpful to you since you're new to steel:

1) Find a mentor who is an honest broker that will guide you with no ulterior motive. They exist.

2) Judge with your own ears. Don't pay no mind to anybody else if it sounds good to you.

3) Don't judge with your pocket book. Cheap doesn't always equal terrible, and expensive doesn't always equal great.

4) Don't take other people's advice solely upon their words. Test it out for yourself. Make the journey. Most people just repeat what an authority source tells them without understanding the material.

5) The key to unlocking Steel guitar is understanding how to super impose triads over bass notes. Everything you need is there, you just have to REALIZE it's there. Chords and voicings have many "faces" depending on how you look at them. There are many inter-relationships in music. You don't need to theoretically understand "why" something works if it works. Anything you learn, apply it and use it right away to your repertoire. Understanding comes later. Get through the gig.

6) If you can't make 6 strings work, adding 2 extra strings won't help. It will just add complexity and confuse you. Most steel guitar work can be done with 4 strings. More strings does not equal better. That said, if you just want an 8 string guitar, go for it and have fun!

7) ENJOY!!! Music is supposed to be fun! Don't let hard headed and opinionated people ruin your fun and enjoyment. They're EVERYWHERE!!!

[Michael Kiese]

Wait a minute!!! I didn't even realize this thread is from March 2009??? What the heck? LOL.

Steve the OP is probably a master by now. lolz.

This steel guitar forum sure is a different beast.

[Jack Hanson]

I have a Fender 6 string lap steel C6 tuning, CEGACE low to high. I'm new at this. How do you make these cords on a steel, the easy way if possible?

Merely play the 6th chord with a straight bar, and with the third finger of you bar hand, reach behind the bar and pull the third (A) string up a half-step. It will seem awkward at first, but with a little practice it becomes second nature.

For example, on the 7th fret, a straight bar will yield a G6 chord. Pull the third string up, and voila! Instant G7!

[Bob Shilling]

Jonathan: I don't know, maybe I need to take Michael's advise and turn loose of some money and get an 8 string. If not, I've got to add some more memory to my head. I've spent all day trying to learn Mansion on the Hill, and haven't got that down yet.

Doug Beaumier's "25 More Songs for Lap Steel Guitar" has a simple version of "A Mansion on the Hill" for C6. It mostly follows the melody with single notes and double stops. A good place to start. The A7 chords are more sequential than all-at-once.

[HowardR]

I didn't even realize this thread is from March 2009???

Steve the OP is probably a master by now. lolz.

Well, either that or check the Gone Home section........

[Jerry Overstreet]

I thought it was another version of the ABC song.