Video goofing around on 6 string lap

Danny Bates · Post by **Danny Bates** » 31 May 2010 7:06 pm

For a friend, I just recorded a low quality video playing the 6 string Ric lap steel I just got from Fred Shannon.

I am explaining some simple jazz improvisation and explaining the tuning.

The video and sound is terrible but I'm gonna get a Red Scarlet camera as soon as I can get one... (hopefully in August)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM0Skxk-FM8

I just noticed I may have posted in the wrong place. Moderator: Feel free to move.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 31 May 2010 7:37 pm

Sounds good!

Don Sutley · Post by **Don Sutley** » 31 May 2010 7:52 pm

Danny,

What's the tuning? I could make out Amaj7, but not the second part. I enjoyed the video. It looks like a very versatile tuning.

Thanks,
Don

Danny Bates · Post by **Danny Bates** » 31 May 2010 8:03 pm

Thanks Doug and Don, I appreciate that.

Don, what I said was Amaj7 and Emaj7 (strings 6,5,4,3 and 4,3,2,1) respectivly.

Basically it's tuned alternating major and minor thirds.

If you want to get knarly you can lower string 1 to D

Actually, the tuning could be called Amaj9(b13 or #11) ??

Low to high...A,C#,E,G#,B,D#

BTW, a standard set of C6 strings works.

Stephen Abruzzo · Post by **Stephen Abruzzo** » 1 Jun 2010 8:51 am

Danny.....great playing and I really like your tuning.

I recently opened a thread on something similar that I was just musing about....never tried it.....but I thought it had "possibilities"...

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... highlight=

I have the first string at D, to give it more "knarl" as you put it. Thanks to your video, you have made my "possibilities" into "likelihoods".

I guess with the first string at D, the tuning would most accurately be an E13??

Danny Bates · Post by **Danny Bates** » 1 Jun 2010 11:19 am

Thanks Stephen,

I think your tuning would be called Emaj11 because it has a major 7th and an 11th tone.

BTW, I sent you an email.

J. Wilson · Post by **J. Wilson** » 1 Jun 2010 6:18 pm

I was bidding on one of these a couple weeks ago. Very warm sound! You have a nice jazzy touch I must add. Sounds like a great acquisition!

James Morehead · Post by **James Morehead** » 2 Jun 2010 2:46 pm

Very Coool, Mr. Danny.

Don Sutley · Post by **Don Sutley** » 7 Jul 2010 6:16 pm

Danny,

I just wanted to say thanks for posting the video and details about the tuning. I tuned my lap steel to it a couple of weeks ago and never tuned back! It's a very logical tuning (Spock would dig it) and easy to find my way around with the roots of the major chords on the E and A strings. With the lower string tension, behind the bar pulls are a breeze as well.

If it's not too much trouble, would you mind putting out an instruction book, DVD and maybe some workshops in my area?

Thanks again,
Don

Steve Cunningham · Post by **Steve Cunningham** » 7 Jul 2010 6:57 pm

Great stuff Danny! Your playing has a nice swing to it. Good tuning for modal players.

Danny Bates · Post by **Danny Bates** » 7 Jul 2010 7:18 pm

Thanks guys.

I use this tuning for jazz but I also raise the first string to E for a more "rounded" tuning... I guess it would be called an "A major 9th" tuning? I think I recall b0b saying he used it for years.

With the raised 1st string to E, it gives you an E tuning on strings 1-4 but you still get the same major and minor chords on strings 6 thru 2.

BTW, the song "Sleepwalk" fits perfectly with it and if he used a six string, I wouldn't doubt if it's the same tuning he used on the record.

Also, strings 1 and 2 are tuned exactly like a regular six string guitar and since I'm a guitar player, it helps me know where to go in my solos

I would love to make more videos but I have to get another camera first. Unfortunately, at my gig on Saturday night, my mini camera fell off my amp and right into my cup of cranberry juice sitting on the floor.

Bill Leff · Post by **Bill Leff** » 9 Jul 2010 4:10 pm

Just tried that tuning. Pretty dang cool! Thanks for sharing.

Greg Youngman · Post by **Greg Youngman** » 15 Jul 2010 11:23 am

Thanks for sharing the tuning, Dan. Do you think they'll deliver the Scarlet? I've been following the buzz. Do you believe the hype? I think I'd wait and let the guinea pigs give it a try.

Regards.