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Topic: Are we all............on the same wave length? |
Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 30 Oct 2009 7:37 pm |
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From another on-going post here on the SGF, it came to my attention that some of the well-meaning folks don't really understand certain basics about the steel guitar. That's truly ashame since oft' times, inaccurate or misleading information is being dispensed to gullible, all-trusting wanna-be
steel guitar students.
What is the BIG DIFFERENCE between 6-8 string guitars? Assuming all are tuned to "E".....on the top string, the only difference in basic terms are the availability of two additional LOW strings. Just how much melody and playing can you envision is going to be played on those two LOW strings? Just what percentage of the time, are those two LOW strings really going to be played in the majority of tunes you'll be playing? THINK about it. Is it really logical to pro/con this issue? Don't make sense to me!
One poster suggests that 8-string guitars are much harder to find/locate..........and/or they cost substantially more than 6-string models. Is that really true or simply a misunderstanding? I see it as a gross error in fact. Many brand new guitars are so built, but thousands of great, quality used guitars are out there with 8-strings.
Tell me, if you will, WHY is it supposed that an 8 string guitar is going to be more difficult to learn/play than a 6 string model?
Why even think of removing the two bottom strings of an 8-string model when you're beginning to learn this new challenging instrument? If you were a student HARP player, would they remove dozens of strings so you could learn easier? How many unnecessary piano keys do they remove for a beginner?
With respect to musical instruments......$300.00 is a very small amount to quibble about. It either is going to enable you to perform what you desire, or, it's not. No gray areas here. It's either black or white. One should not start by thinking "ways around the pricing obstacle".
If you're buying a fixed price, instead of a specific guitar/model, you're going to get exactly what you paid for.....one that most likely will not provide the versatility you envision.
Questions about whether another plays a pedal steel or a non-pedal lap steel......really has no bearing on anything, UNLESS, the style you hope to emulate requires pedals to make it all happen. For the newbie, a musician can play a full four hour gig on a Sho-Bud or Emmons pedal steel, or any other of the many options one has these days, without EVER touching a pedal. They're simply unnecessary! If you want to use them, it's an option for the player. They are not required to play the instrument. One does not have to removed the pedal bar/rods, in order to play a song 'without' pedals.
By starting at the very beginning of steel guitar instruction, you should be learning the BASICs. If you don't, these half-baked inaccurate explanations are going to continually be throwing road blocks in your path to LEARNING what it's all about.
A lot of good points have appeared in the other post and I commend those who have contributed them.....But some suggestions, no matter how well intentioned the author was, are simply unfounded in reality. That's MHO........for what it's worth to you. |
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Chris Scruggs
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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Posted 30 Oct 2009 7:51 pm
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| Amen! |
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Lynn Oliver
From:
Redmond, Washington USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 30 Oct 2009 8:25 pm
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| Quote: |
| What is the BIG DIFFERENCE between 6-8 string guitars? Assuming all are tuned to "E".....on the top string, the only difference in basic terms are the availability of two additional LOW strings. |
That's one possibility, but it is also common to add a high string ala Don Helms. You might go from a common six string C6 (lo2hi): CEGACE to ACEGACEG. |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 30 Oct 2009 10:40 pm
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Hey SKIP ... Very wise words indeed from and old pro like yourself! I hope everyone on the FORUM reads this thread. Mahalo !  |
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Dom Franco
From:
Beaverton, OR, 97007
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Posted 31 Oct 2009 6:13 am
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There are many mis-conceptions about the "steel guitar" Heck we can't even agree on a name! (Non-pedal, lap steel, Hawaiian Guitar, slide guitar...)
Then add to this confusion the availability of dozens of tunings, 6, 7, 8, 10 strings. And I'm not even talking about pedals!
I can't think of another instrument that has so many variables, and yet is still grouped under one basic name, that being "steel" because of the bar- heck some of us don't even use a steel bar!
Anyway I am very thankful for this forum, where we can rant, rave, ask questions and read up on what every body else is doing.
I believe the steel guitar will continue to evolve, new tunings will be developed, and who knows what else. In that way the steel is the latest and greatest instrument. Worthy of a lifetime of study.
Dom 
_________________
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYG9cvwCPKuXpGofziPNieA/feed?activity_view=3 |
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Les Anderson
From:
The Great White North
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Posted 31 Oct 2009 10:24 pm Re: Are we all............on the same wave length?
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Very good topic Ray and one that touches on a lot of misconceptions about the steel guitar and learning to play one. I get a lot of E-mails suggesting that if I like to play country, why don't I get a pedal steel. In truth, I am more than happy with what I can do with my D10 non-pedal. I might not be able to reach every note or full chord possible like most pedal steelers feel they must or they are missing out on something; however, is the audience going to know the difference?
Learning to play an 8 string is harder than a 6 string? Not a chance. One of the most boring exercises possible is the answer to learning. SCALES!!!!!!  Lots and lots of scale practice. They are about as boring as watching the same cartoon over and over again; however, if you can get the sound of those scales in your head and where they are on the fret board, the rest will fall into place; six string or eight string. The best part is, you don't have to remove any strings.
Also, if you want to break into country music on any steel guitar the easy way, buy some Hank Williams Sr music instruction tapes. Very easy chords.
Costs???? I have a chromatic chord harmonica that cost me $1980.00 and a Chromatic bass harmonica that I paid $1350.00 for. How many would consider paying more than three grand for two harmonicas? It all boils down to what you want out of them.
Good topic Ray:
_________________
(I am not right all of the time but I sure like to think I am!) |
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Billy Gilbert
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 1 Nov 2009 7:05 pm Wave length?
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| Ray, One advantage of 8 string over 6 string, especially for reformed dobro players, is that with ACEGACEG tuning or A6 with the same intervals, many tunes can be played on the high strings, then repeated an octave lower on the low strings on the lower end of the fretboard. We newbys have trouble with intonation up where the frets get real close together. |
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Steve Hotra
From:
Camas, Washington
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Posted 1 Nov 2009 8:08 pm
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Ray;
Thank you for posting.
Steve
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Guitars: Rittenberry SD S-10, Gretsch Black Falcon. Effects: Wampler Paisley, Strymon Timeline, Sarno Earth Drive.
Fractal FM9
Amps: Mesa Express 5:25, Jazzkat Tomkat & Boss Katana head / various cabs. |
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