Oh the Joy of the Jazzy, Jumping Sixth tuning!

Dom Franco · From: Beaverton, OR, 97007

I am having so much fun playing lap steel in A6th (sometimes C6th also) Mostly Swing Era Jazz and Standards, Western, Hawaiian, Gospel, and a few rock songs.

It just sort of hit me the other day how much I love the 6th chord. So much great music was built around the 6th tuning.

It sounds Hawaiian, especially sliding strumed chords, The sixth tuning is also a major player in the Cowboy songs and early Country Western recordings.

Also I began noticing the close harmonies of the Big Bands, namely Glen Miller and Benny Goodman, where the Sax and Clarinet sections are playing sixth chords... and sound amazingly like a steel guitar at times.

Then You have the Vocal sounds of the Modernaires and the Chordettes! Check out the old songs on YOU TUBE. It's Sixth chords (and of course some major 7ths as well)

Early Rock and roll, Chuck Berry, Elvis, and even the Beatles (who often ended their early songs with a sixth vocal chord)

CAUTION: MUSIC THEORY CONTENT...
Yes I love the sound of the sixth chord, and all the various extentions including substituting a II minor for the IV chord and IV minor for the V chord. (This is easily facilitated by the fact that these variations are located on the same fret, just by moving up one string.

Also the beauty and simplicity of being able to play Minor or major triads just by picking different strings. (all without slants)

For years I avoided slants, and resigned myself to limiting my chord palette, while playing lap steel. If I needed diminished, augmented or other intervals, I would, have to use my pedal steel.

But now since I decided to tackle slants, and use them regularly when playing out. I have fallen in love with tuning again! I can now grip 2, 3 and even some 4 string chords, slanting and applying pressure to the nose of the bar to "coax" the chord into perfect tune. It's not easy, but I am getting better all the time. I LOVE THE A6th TUNING! Razz

My pedal steel gathers dust...

Dom

Edward Meisse · From: Santa Rosa, California, USA

Yup. But I sold my pedal guitar long ago.
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Amor vincit omnia

Billy Gilbert · From: Texas, USA

I have an 8 string dxxxo tuned to G6 and an 8 string lap steel tuned to high C6, basicly the same tuning 5 frets apart. I need as little confusion as I can get by with. Laughing

Ron Whitfield · From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA

My brain shuts down immediately when words from that paragraph are mentioned anytime.

But I'd love to incorporate a 6th ability into my playing. Even tho I have enuf to keep me happy at present with my E6th(?) tuning -

1. G#
2. E
3. C#
4. B
5. G#
6. E
7. B
8. E

What would I need to get a 6th outta that? Add a D after the mid G# instead of the lower/mid E?

Please post your A6 tuning, Dom. It may be the standard A6, but then again, you may have a special diffence. I've been considering using A6 as well because it sounds deeper and better to me than C6 which I learned on, but havn't used in years.

Edited by Brad Bechtel to clarify the tuning.

Edward Meisse · From: Santa Rosa, California, USA

The intervals on the top 6 strings on that tuning are identical to the most common 6 string C6. You probably already know that. No need for any changes...unless you just happen to be in the mood.
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Amor vincit omnia

Ron Whitfield · From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA

Maybe I meant a 7th...?

And why is my post edited? I didn't list my tuning vertical like that.

Steinar Gregertsen · From: Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.

Ron Whitfield · From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA

Oh, those 'others' would be wrong... Wink

Brad Bechtel · From: San Francisco, CA

Ron, I edited the tuning the way you showed it because it was wrapping on "smaller" monitor sizes and therefore not as easy to read. I'll do that sometimes just to clarify a tuning (or tablature if the poster didn't use the TAB feature correctly).

If you'd like, you could easily turn it back to the way you wanted. I thought this would be clearer for all.
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Ron Whitfield · From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA

No need, good call. It just isn't how I relate to reading or writing them out, and hadn't seen it done previously. Probably would have been a good way to do it from way back.

Thanx for the thot!

Denny Turner · From: Oahu, Hawaii USA

For the life of me I cannot figure out how anyone could see a tuning noted any different than how it looks looking down on the neck from the playing position. In any manner of understanding music I can think of, a tuning would be listed vertically as it appears on the neck from the playing position, or horizontally low to high as it is in the most basic music lessons / theory.

But then again; Different strokes.........
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Stephan Miller · From: Silver Spring, Maryland, USA

I see it the same way, Denny- but then I don't have several decades invested in "hi --> lo"...

Edward Meisse · From: Santa Rosa, California, USA

When I first got here to the Steel Guitar Forum I noted that almost everyone was noting their tunings from High to Low. I assumed it was a cultural thing. So I just followed suit. Now it's a habit.
But to be more on topic, if I was to go to a second tuning it would be an E13. The one I like however is Leon McAulliffe's.

(E-C#-B-G#-F#-D-B-E) high to low. I might replace the low E with a G#. Or I might put that G# on top for a high G#. Then my bottom string would be the B. Tom Morrell sounded great with a 10 string tuning that was very similar.
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Amor vincit omnia

Stephan Miller · From: Silver Spring, Maryland, USA

Neither the McAuliffe or Morrell tuning has a "B" in the bass.

My bet is that anyone who spends a few hours playing these two tunings is going to be talking more about the differences than the similarities.

(lo-hi:)

McAuliffe E-G#-D----F#-G#-B-C#-E
Morrell__E-----D--E-F#-G#-B-C#-E-F#-G#

Dom, I like the "fifth on top" and I'm an A6 guy also. Its sound is right for all the vintage styles you describe...and for me it's becoming even more versatile as I learn when to steer around the sixth. I avoided slants for a good while myself. Now I go looking for new ones to try. Not that I've conquered the ones I know... Oh Well

--Steve

Dom Franco · From: Beaverton, OR, 97007

Ron, don't be afraid of "MUSIC THEORY" just don't let it affect your freedom and style of playing.

It can help to know some basics and then go from there.

in your E6th tuning as listed above the C#
is the sixth because it is the 6th note in the "E" scale
do E
ra F#
me G#
fa A
so B
la C#
ti D#
do E

Now to further complicate things, the crazy Italians use Roman Numerals (I can say that being full blooded Italian American myself)

So that E= "I" the first note of the scale
F#=II, G#=III, A=IV, B=V, C#=VI and D#=VII
So when you hear folks talk about a I, IV V progression that means E, A and B in the key of "E"

See that's not so bad!

Dom Rolling Eyes

Ron Whitfield · From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA

Hey, I can almost understand that!
You should write the 'music theory for dummies' book.
I'll take the Dick and Jane version, with large print.
Jerry tried twice to get the basics of theory into my head, without success Crying or Very sad

I'm sure there are plenty of folks on this forum that would benefit from a rundown on it all, should someone with your manner take up the duty.

Mahalo, Dom!

Steinar Gregertsen · From: Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.

Ron Whitfield · From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA

I'm just now getting to that point in tuning up!

Chuck Fisher · From: Santa Cruz, California, USA * R.I.P.

Jesus tunes his steel from bass to treble, 6 to 1

I know, Im that old!

Dom Franco · From: Beaverton, OR, 97007

I am very happy to hear that you know Him personally. So do I. We talk often, and one day I will see Him face to face.

Sincerely;
Dom Smile

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