My Chord Charts (E9 Fretboard Reference Booklet)

Jesse Leite · From: Ontario, Canada

UPDATE! I have received several emails asking where to download this booklet, so I've re-hosted and updated the download link below. Thank you all for your interest and happy playing!

DOWNLOAD DRAFT #6: https://jesseleite.com/e9

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS REFERENCE BOOKLET? The purpose of this booklet is to lay out the E9 fretboard in a simple and practical way. My goal is to cover everything from basic chord positions for rhythm playing, to various scale patterns for lead playing, and to tie these rhythm and lead concepts together to form a better understanding of the E9 fretboard. To attain this goal, I have created a simple chord chart that will be utilized as a reference on every page; and in doing this hopefully the player will begin to see how these chords and scales fit together on the fretboard in any given key.

PLEASE NOTE! I know there are other great methods and charts available, but I haven't really found a chord chart that focuses on using the nashville numbering system or roman numerals to identify chords. If there is such a chart available, I apologize as I am not trying to re-invent the wheel; but rather present the E9 neck in a logical fashion for other beginners like myself who are still learning their chords and scales. If nothing else, this is for my own learning. If others can find use in my charts, that's great too!

I think this will be the last draft... I couldn't have done all of this without your help, so thank you everyone for the input so far! Once again, all comments and suggestions are welcome!

Thank you!
Jesse
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Playing an '81 BMI SD-10 4&6 through a Peavey Delta Blues 2x10 all-tube amp.
E9 Fretboard Reference Booklet (Chords & Scales PDF)

Don Poland · From: Hanover, PA.

Looks great, Jesse, but I have a suggestion. It might be a good idea to have a legend that explains the "LKR", A pedal, B pedal, etc....

Some folks play Day setup and their knees and pedals are different. I have even seen a lot of difference in the way knee levers are set up for those playing the Emmons setup.

just my .02$

Jesse Leite · From: Ontario, Canada

Good idea. I take my setup for granted I guess. Will do. I have my own version of this chart which includes the pedal 4 change in my copedent. However, I decided to make a copy of the chart without these changes, as general as possible, for any other beginners who might just benefit from this kind of layout.
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Playing an '81 BMI SD-10 4&6 through a Peavey Delta Blues 2x10 all-tube amp.
E9 Fretboard Reference Booklet (Chords & Scales PDF)

Scott Swartz · From: St. Louis, MO

The chart looks good and learning where the basic chords are is important, but there are various positions using particular string groups such as 8,5 and 6,4 that are not show on the chart. For example, one fret up from open on 6,4 with the E-F lever. Also fret position IV on 8,5 with the E-D# is a I and same fret on 8,5 with B-A# is a V7.

Charting out all the two note harmonized scales on 8,5 and 6,5 and 6,4 and 5,3 and 5,4 (there are others also) will help to tie all the positions together. If you study tab of classic steel breaks you will see how important these harmonized scales are.
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Scott Swartz
Steeltronics - Steel Guitar Pickups
www.steeltronics.com

Jesse Leite · From: Ontario, Canada

Thanks. I don't want this chart to get too complicated though. I want it to show just the simple chord positions so that if I am in the middle of a song and I am wondering where the nearest IV chord or IIm chord is, I can take a quick glance at a simple chart like this. My complaint about the other chord charts I've found is that they require more than a glance to get what you need, and sometimes they contain too many voicings. If it gets too cluttered, I probably won't take the time to use it.

I definitely agree with you about these harmonized scales though. I just learned how to use my B+C pedals from a few folks in another thread (Joe Barcus and Paul Sutherland). Very useful! I have to agree that having a diagram or tab sheet of these harmonized scales handy ALONG with a chord chart like this would be very important, like you say, to tie these chord positions together. So although this chart will be just a map of basic chords only, my next chart can map out various harmonized scale runs, with a few nearby go-to chords thrown in for reference. I think I will take notes and compile all of these ideas and eventually have a poster printed that I can throw up on my wall by my steel for easy reference while I'm playing. If anyone else thinks this would be of benefit, I can eventually provide a PDF of this reference poster also.

Reed Ohrbom · From: Hemet, California, USA

Jesse; Great Chart !!!! Really helps us beginners get a feel for what we're gettin' into. i.e. makes it seem simple enough, but complete enough, that it gives me a feeling of "this is where I can start" and "I can do this".

Regarding Scott's idea of harmonized 2 note scales, that would be super also, but I agree with you, don't get your chord chart too complicated.

So my suggestion/question would be, would it be possible to do a separate chart for a harmonized scale, that woulod be a "companion" to the chord chart? So one could look at both charts together, and see the overall connection between the notes to use for playing the melody, and the chords that are behind them, or vice versa.

Thanks for your efforts; Reed

Bent Romnes · From: London,Ontario, Canada

Jesse, you might have something good going here. I like the idea of your un-cluttered chart. I haven't sat down and really studied it yet, but at first glance it seemed like pedal combinations were left out deliberately for the sake of clarity. This I like, since the beginner has more than he can handle just learning A&B ped positions. Then, when he/she gets familiar with chart #1, along comes #2 with different combinations and different scales, like Reed suggested, the harmonized scale. Great suggestion Reed!

Jesse, this chart should be included in our monday session. There's nothing that makes you learn faster than that: First you make the chart, then you explain to me how it works.

I can just see how chart# 2, then 3 etc is in progress in your head already.
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Craig Dains · From: Iowa, USA

Wow, thanks. This makes sense. Can't wait for the next draft.
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Chris Dorch · From: Wisconsin, USA

If it's home to home (root to octive), why are there 13 columns?

Otherwise, I think it's great...

Jim Eaton · From: Santa Susana, Ca

I like to teach students how to play the 6 most commonly used chords for any key based on where they are located in relation to a "pedals up" or "pedals down" home base/starting point.
Key - G
G -3rd fret - No Pedals (home)
Am -1st fret - Eb KL
Bm -3rd fret - Eb KL
C - 3rd fret - AB Pedals
D - 5th fret - AB Pedals
Em -3rd fret - A Pedal

G -10th fret- AB Pedals (home)
Am - 8th fret- A Pedal
Bm -10th fret- A Pedal
C - 8th fret- No Pedals
D -10th fret- No Pedals
Em - 8th fret- Eb KL

Later use of additional pedal & lever combinations brings in the areas of the neck not used in these two pockets of chords, but being able to play these six chords in a few frets seems to get my students playing music faster and that's what my job as a "teacher" is all about. IMHO.
JE:-)>
_________________
Emmons D10PP 8/4 -75'
Emmons S-10PP 3/4 - 79'
Emmons S-12PP 3/4 -78'
MSA Legend SD12 5/5 -06'
Mullen S-12 4/5 - 1986
Nashville 112 x2 W/Knob Guards - Don't leave home with out one!
Walker SS rack system - 12"BW's
Quilter Steelaire Combo

Jesse Leite · From: Ontario, Canada

Scott Swartz · From: St. Louis, MO

Here are a few (LOL) harmonized scales, key of G. I wrote this away from the steel, so if anyone see a mistake let me know

Jesse Leite · From: Ontario, Canada

Jim and Scott: That's awesome thank you so much! I will try playing through your stuff there and see where I can fit it into one of these charts! PS. Scott, how did you get the post to display the"tabs" window like that?

Also, I had another ideas I thought I'd present to you guys. For the sake of making this less cluttered what would you think of making an even simpler chart containing the green rows (the primary I, IV, V chords) for the very beginner; we would make this the new "chart 1". Then "chart 2" would be similar to the chart I've already uploaded; which would contain all the diatonic chords including the minor and diminished chords. A beginner steeler would move up to chart 2 once they feel pretty comfortable playing between the I, IV, V chords on 1. Do you guys think this would be useful?
_________________
Playing an '81 BMI SD-10 4&6 through a Peavey Delta Blues 2x10 all-tube amp.
E9 Fretboard Reference Booklet (Chords & Scales PDF)

Chris Dorch · From: Wisconsin, USA

Jesse Leite · From: Ontario, Canada

Chris Dorch · From: Wisconsin, USA

I understand... Call it a brain fart... I had to start to write my reply to your post when it hit me...

Jesse Leite · From: Ontario, Canada

Ron Adams · From: Texas, USA

I'm trying to practice scales. I don't understand the tabs showing 5a and 3 on the same fret.

Help

thanks

Ron

Brian McGaughey · From: Orcas Island, WA USA

Jim Eaton,

That's good advice. I think knowing where to go in terms of the Nashville notation can help a player pull anything together much quicker, especially in the goofy keys.

For example, the Sunday choir I play pedal steel with has had a lot of songs in Eb and Ab lately. I can't think fast enough to look at the chords and think about where they are on the neck. So I've been writing the scale degree number above the chords, then starting at the tonic no pedals and moving relative to the tonic. It's the only way to fly, tonic, 2m back 2 w/e's lowered, 3m at tonic w/e's lowered, 6m A pedal, etc, etc, NO MATTER WHAT THE KEY!

I'm going to take your tonic at AB advice to heart and work on that.

Scott Swartz · From: St. Louis, MO

I fixed the typos pointed out by Ron Adams
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Scott Swartz
Steeltronics - Steel Guitar Pickups
www.steeltronics.com

Paul Sutherland · From: Placerville, California

Scott: Your harmonized two note scales are GREAT! I'm seeing relationships/patterns that I've been overlooking. Thanks.

Scott Swartz · From: St. Louis, MO

As Paul points out there are various ways to play the same notes, ie B+C versus F lever on strings 4 and 6.

They do sound a little different, and it is often more convenient to use one over another when ascending or descending. Example - When playing a descending line on strings 8,5 I almost always use D lever rather than A+F.

These scales are for the 3+2 setup, depending on your other changes there are many others available.
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Scott Swartz
Steeltronics - Steel Guitar Pickups
www.steeltronics.com

Jesse Leite · From: Ontario, Canada

I am really enjoying all these harmonized scales too Scott. Yes, the way the notes are harmonizing changes the flavour of some of these patterns. I'm particularly thinking of the 4th and the 9th tabs you've listed. Very cool though, these will definitely be part my practice routine! There are also a couple cool harmonized scale patterns in the book "Pedal Steel Guitar" by Winnie Winston. Have you guys seen these ones?

Jim, I've also tried playing through your method and I think learning these two "zones" is a great approach. I've covered all of these chord positions in my chart, but I like the simplicity of zoning out areas like this. I think I am going to make an identical copy of my chart highlighting these two zones.

...on that note, with my teacher I've learned you can also play a nice big G major scale using only fret 3 and the A+B pedals. He also taught me that at fret 10 you can get the same major scale pattern if you lower 2nd string half a step. My RKR has a feel stop (thanks to Bent) that allows me to lower my 2nd string half a step very easily. How common is this change? Anyway, these two scales fit nicely into the two "zones" Jim is speaking of... maybe I can include them on one of these reference charts as well.

Thanks again everyone for the ideas! It looks like draft #2 is going to be 5 pages long Shocked

_________________
Playing an '81 BMI SD-10 4&6 through a Peavey Delta Blues 2x10 all-tube amp.
E9 Fretboard Reference Booklet (Chords & Scales PDF)

Jim Eaton · From: Santa Susana, Ca

Having played lots and lots of "talent" nights over the years and having to wing-it through lots and lots of songs that I may have only heard once or twice before the contestant calls out the tune and what key they "think" they are going to sing it in has taught me the value of have those tightly bunched chord pockets ready to go on "auto-pilot".
JE:-)>
_________________
Emmons D10PP 8/4 -75'
Emmons S-10PP 3/4 - 79'
Emmons S-12PP 3/4 -78'
MSA Legend SD12 5/5 -06'
Mullen S-12 4/5 - 1986
Nashville 112 x2 W/Knob Guards - Don't leave home with out one!
Walker SS rack system - 12"BW's
Quilter Steelaire Combo

Jesse Leite · From: Ontario, Canada

Here we go. I spent the last few hours designing draft #2, and have incorporated a bunch of your suggestions. Let me know what you guys think so far...

DRAFT #2: http://www.jmlmusic.ca/_misc/Pedal%20Steel%20Guitar%20E9%20Fretboard%20Reference%20_DRAFT2.pdf

The last step (I think) is to add a few more pages encompassing all of those harmonized scales. I think this would really tie these chord positions and chord zones together.

Once again, I know there are other chord charts and tabs for these harmonized scales available. The purpose of this "reference booklet" if to relate all of this to my basic chord chart so that we can see nearby chord relationships as we're learning and playing.

Again, suggestions are welcome... and please let me know if you find errors! I couldn't have done all of this without your help, so thank you everyone for the input so far. If nothing else, this is for my own learning! Thank you!

Jesse
_________________
Playing an '81 BMI SD-10 4&6 through a Peavey Delta Blues 2x10 all-tube amp.
E9 Fretboard Reference Booklet (Chords & Scales PDF)

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