B11 tuning / non-pedal

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Doug Beaumier
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B11 tuning / non-pedal

Post by Doug Beaumier »

Here's some basic B11 info:

B11 is a combination tuning. Part of it is A6 and the other part is B7, B9, B11.

Strings 1 through 4 are an A6 chord.

The middle strings (omit string 1) are B9 (and B, B7, B11).

Fret 2 is B6, and Open is B9. Whatever 6th chord you are playing, just drop back two frets for the 7th or 9th chord. For example, A6 on fret 12 (strings 1 through 4), drop back to fret 10 and play the middle strings (omit string 1) for A9. That big 9th chord is the basis of songs like "How D'ya Do" and "Sand".

Check out my tab below to see one way to play a I, IV, V pattern on B11.

The chart below shows some of the open chord positions, with root note A, root note F#, and root note B. There are other open chords that I left off the chart... a diminshed chord on strings 3, 4, 5. Also Am6, flat 5, Aadd2, etc.

Image

Image

UPDATE: Here's a demo of B11 sounds I made a couple of years ago ---> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0642tjWXrg
Last edited by Doug Beaumier on 20 Jan 2015 8:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Drew Howard
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Post by Drew Howard »

Very nice Doug!!

Mike Fried and Tony Locke both play the piss out of this tuning.
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Rick Winfield
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Curious

Post by Rick Winfield »

I've always been curious about this tuning, and it awesome sound. You have cleared up a lot of it's mystery for me.
thanks
Rick
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Jay Fagerlie
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Post by Jay Fagerlie »

Hey Doug,

Such a great thread, I wanted to bump it up.

Do you have any more tidbits for us to try in B11?

The chord thing is great- any other gems you could give us?

Thanks!

Jay :D
Last edited by Jay Fagerlie on 8 Aug 2013 6:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Doug Beaumier
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Post by Doug Beaumier »

Thanks Jay, I don't have any other B11 stuff, but I'm working on a new song book that will include three B11 songs. It won't be ready for quite a while.
Morgan Scoggins
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Post by Morgan Scoggins »

The Jerry Byrd Steel Guitar Course has a section devoted to four Hawaiian Songs played in B11 tuning. They are "Steelin' The Chimes", "Sand", "How Da Ya Do", and "Rainbows Over Paradise".
The book is a long method with lots of other great material in several tunings. It is a bit pricey, but you might be able to get the individual arrangements from Scotty's Music.
"Shoot low boys, the're ridin' Shetlands"
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Jay Fagerlie
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Post by Jay Fagerlie »

Hey Doug,
(or anyone, really)
Please help me make sure I got this straight....

In your chord chart, you call out a diminished on strings 3,4, and 5.....

Is that a D#dim?


...my theory has plenty of room for improvement....

thanks!!

:D

ok, I figured it out and answered my own question!!!
..like it was that hard... :roll:

The answer is YES it is!


...I need to remember to ask questions only after I have had my second cup of coffee...
Michael Brose
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Post by Michael Brose »

So glad I found this, thank you! There is nothing on the YouTube for B11. I'd like to find some info written out for E13 like this is. This has helped me greatly. I'm learnin some of the stuff Tony Locke did with Wayne Hancock and this answers some critical things for me, thanks!
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Doug Beaumier
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Post by Doug Beaumier »

Thanks Michael, I'm glad you like it.
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