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Topic: Seven strings for C6 tuning question |
Cliff Kane
From:
the late great golden state
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Posted 17 Sep 2008 6:21 pm |
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Hi,
a friend of mine has aquired a seven string lap steel and wants to learn how to play. He plays standard guitar but is a beginer on steel guitar. I suggested that he learn the C6 tuning as it's versatile and there's a lot of instructional material available, but what would be the best thing to do with the seventh string?
I would be inclined to tune to guitar low to high like this to get a low voicing for Am : A-C-E-G-A-C-E.
But I am sure that some people would opt for this to get a high voicing for C: C-E-G-A-C-E-G.
Any good advice on how to apply seven strings for the C6 tuning?
Thanks!
Cliff |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 17 Sep 2008 6:26 pm WHY NOT try this?
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This is a very flexible tuning.........provided you plan to play melody lines and fills:
TOP to bottom:
E C A G E C# C
Don't play the C# & C together, obviously.
You can hear the affect on JerryByrd-FanClub.com |
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John Bechtel
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.
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Posted 17 Sep 2008 10:06 pm
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I would also prefer the C6/A7 combination, but; you might also consider lowering str. #7 to a Bb under the C on #6 for a C13:
Lo – Hi: Bb~C~E~G~A~C~E
_________________
<marquee> Go~Daddy~Go, (No), Go, It's your Break Time</marquee> L8R, jb
My T-10 Remington Steelmaster |
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Tony Harris
From:
England
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Posted 18 Sep 2008 5:32 am
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| I play C6/A7 on 6-string, but I'm thinking that adding a seventh string A would give a big major triad on the bottom, and a root to the A7 and A minor shapes.... |
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John Bechtel
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.
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Posted 18 Sep 2008 8:58 am
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More or less ‘leaving/adding-to’ a 6-str., why not just go to 8-strings and enjoy it all?
_________________
<marquee> Go~Daddy~Go, (No), Go, It's your Break Time</marquee> L8R, jb
My T-10 Remington Steelmaster |
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Cliff Kane
From:
the late great golden state
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Posted 18 Sep 2008 9:36 am
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Hi John:
He has a seven string guitar. I have an eight string guitar that I tune low to high: G-A-C-E-G-A-C-E. I like it for the low Am and the low fifth tone for C, but after reading Ray's post I may put a C# in there.
Thanks,
Cliff |
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Twayn Williams
From:
Portland, OR
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Posted 18 Sep 2008 10:49 am Re: Seven strings for C6 tuning question
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| Cliff Kane wrote: |
I would be inclined to tune to guitar low to high like this to get a low voicing for Am : A-C-E-G-A-C-E.
But I am sure that some people would opt for this to get a high voicing for C: C-E-G-A-C-E-G. |
I think they're both good. The low voicing will give a guitar player some of those low notes they might find missing in a standard 6-string C6 tuning.
OTOH, in the high voicing, the addition of a high G string will give a nice major chord on top and bottom like standard dobro tuning. Heck you might even think about lowering the high voicing to G, which gives a variation of open G like so:
G-B-D-E-G-B-D.
_________________
Primitive Utility Steel |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 18 Sep 2008 11:40 am
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| If the guy is just a beginner, don't get carried away with numerous tunings. A straight C6th should get him going, with a bit of help. Once he gets familiar with the fretboard he may want to expand on the tuning. |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 18 Sep 2008 11:46 am
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TW, that tuning would be pretty easy for a guy who's switchin' over from 6-string!
JB |
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John Bechtel
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.
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Posted 18 Sep 2008 6:53 pm
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Since I've also played C6 on PSG for years, I use the Byrd C6/A7 tuning on my 8-str. non-pedal. This is quite novel and effective also! Lo to Hi: Lo-A~C~C#~E~G~A~C~E That 8th. string is an octave below what you might expect. That gauge is either .068w or .070w! You can turn a few heads, once in a while!
_________________
<marquee> Go~Daddy~Go, (No), Go, It's your Break Time</marquee> L8R, jb
My T-10 Remington Steelmaster |
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Twayn Williams
From:
Portland, OR
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Posted 19 Sep 2008 10:16 am
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| John Billings wrote: |
TW, that tuning would be pretty easy for a guy who's switchin' over from 6-string!
JB |
Yup! Just G's D's and E's, nothing you don't have in a straight-up standard 6-string.
I've actually gone with B6 (1/2 step below C6) on my lap steels because it give me the root on the B string which means I can find major chords without thinking about it. Also, on PSG with the E strings lowered it's the same B6 tuning, which means I can switch from lap steel to pedal steel without having to think about it.
On my dobro, I have open G for much the same reason, I can find the major chord from the 6th and 3rd string G's without thinking.
Very important, this not thinking thing!  If I had a 7-string I'm certain I'd go with G-B-D-E-G-B-D.
_________________
Primitive Utility Steel |
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Edward Meisse
From:
Santa Rosa, California, USA
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Posted 19 Sep 2008 12:14 pm
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There is the 7 string version of the C6 version of Billy Hew Len's A6 tuning. Hi to lo (E-C-A-G-E-C#-Bb). There is also a truncation of Joaquin Murphey's 8 string C6 tuning. Hi to low (E-C-A-G-E-C#-(B)). If you're a chordal player, I'd think you'd want to try those. But I agree about the beginner staying with the straight C6 with the A on the bottom. My experience has shown me that it's best to add strings only when you understand a genuine need. Experiment as I might, I keep going back to 6 strings and a straight C6 (E-C-A-G-E-C). There are times when I could see a use, but not a need, for the low A.
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Amor vincit omnia |
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