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Topic: E6 Tuning |
Jim Gilliam
From:
Durham, North Carolina
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Posted 26 Mar 2011 6:34 am |
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| Hey Guys, I am a new member who is starting to play lap steel after 50 years of guitar playing, much of it professionally. I took an old Tele, raised the nut and tuned it to E6. I was having so much fun playing swing and jazz on it it decided to buy a "real" steel so I ordered an 8 string from Bob Allen. Now here is my question... I see all these teaching aids that are geared toward C6 tuning, but nothing on E6. The reason I am liking the E6 is that I already know the notes on the B and E strings and it puts the un-slanted major chords in the same fret position I am used to. Is there a reason that I should change to C6? Am I going to limit myself or my new ax in a way I may not be aware of? Any advice you may have would be welcomed greatly. Thanks much! Jim |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 26 Mar 2011 6:56 am
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Jim, if you feel comfortable with the E based tunings, I would like to suggest the E9 tuning. It is one of my 2 main tunings and it was widely used back in the day by Buddy Emmons and Speedy West (although they had a pedal or 2 on it). The tuning is spelled like this, from 1st string to 8th:
E B G# F# D B G# E
There aren't any learning materials on it that I'm aware of, but I have several transcriptions available which showcase this tuning and will really get you inside of it. Here's one of the tunes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGTB9knbOVc
The others are Buddy Emmons' "Buddy's Boogie" and Bud Isaacs' "Bud's Bounce", and there are more to come.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Tony Glassman
From:
The Great Northwest
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Posted 26 Mar 2011 7:46 am
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You could buy something like the "Amazing Slow Downer" software. It's main function is to slow licks down such that they can be deciphered....but it has a feature that allows you to change the key w/o changing the tempo.
That way you could use standard C6th learning material uptuned to E6th.
http://www.ronimusic.com/ |
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Jim Gilliam
From:
Durham, North Carolina
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Posted 26 Mar 2011 8:06 am
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| Mike and Tony, thanks for taking the time to pass on your recommendations. I really like that 6th tuning because I do so much swing. I'm not really as concerned about the teaching material availability as I am about down the road will I be sorry I learned the E6 instead of G6. Like is the voicing going to be too low or something. I don't think that flatted third will make too much of a difference, but wondered what you experienced guys recommended. If I like this as much as I think I might I will also explore the E9 later on. BTW, Mike I really liked the video you referred me to. Man! You are clean and dead on. Thanks again. Jim |
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Steinar Gregertsen
From:
Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
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Posted 26 Mar 2011 8:21 am
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Here's my favorite E based tuning:
E
C#
B
G#
E
C#(D)
B
A
Having the A on the 8th string makes it two tunings in one; a bluesy/jazzy 6th (13th with the D) tuning from the top, and a "dreamy" Maj9 tuning from the bottom.
It also has the major IV chord at the same position as the major I chord, but that's not my main reason for using it..
_________________
"Play to express, not to impress"
Website - YouTube
Last edited by Steinar Gregertsen on 26 Mar 2011 8:23 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Andy Sandoval
From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
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Posted 26 Mar 2011 8:24 am
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Hi Jim, why don't you restring your guitar with a C6 set, which are easily available right here on the Forum, and try it out for a week or two. You might like it
Last edited by Andy Sandoval on 26 Mar 2011 6:54 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Jim Gilliam
From:
Durham, North Carolina
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Posted 26 Mar 2011 9:43 am
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| Hey Steiner, that tuning sounds excellent. When I get "my additional two strings" I will definitely try that one on for size. Thanks for the info. Jim |
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Jim Gilliam
From:
Durham, North Carolina
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Posted 26 Mar 2011 9:44 am
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| Andy, thanks for the note and recommendation. You know I think I will do just that. I may like it. Thanks again. Jim |
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