C6 Boot Scoot

David Weaver · Post by **David Weaver** » 1 Dec 2004 9:27 am

The band wants to do Boot Scoot Boogie. I couldn't "get" anything I liked on E9 so I took a look at C6...which I know nothing about.

I found the open E position and played the intro to the song but found I was dropping one note 1/2 step (the "6th") and going up and down the first string.

I went up 3 frets to the 7th fret and found that everything laid out right there in E on the 4th 5th and 1st and 3rd strings. No pedals, no ups and downs.

What is the significance of the 7th fret, for example, using a song in E? Why did this work?

Thanks.

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 1 Dec 2004 12:10 pm

3 frets above a 6th chord is the minor 7th chord of the same name. Songs like Boot Scoot use a blues scale, which includes the minor 3rd and the flatted 7th. That's why it works.

David Weaver · Post by **David Weaver** » 1 Dec 2004 1:00 pm

Exactly the education I need. Thanks Bob!!

Dave..

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 1 Dec 2004 8:25 pm

Hi David, I play the song on E9 using a blues scale and a little distortion on the amp. Jody.

Steve Howard · Post by **Steve Howard** » 2 Dec 2004 3:44 am

I think Dave got the answer he wanted, but I also play it on E9. The 4,5,6 strings are just like a lap steel's top three tuned to E. And I actually use a dobro bar when I play the blues stuff like Boot Scootin and Trouble by Travis Tritt. It makes it easier to move around quicker with. Although, if I took advantage of the pedals when playing these songs, I probably wouldn't have too. But I am still new, so I am working my way around.

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 2 Dec 2004 9:11 am

Actually, I don't think that the popular recording of the song uses the minor third much, if at all. But it does work against those changes in every band I've played with. It adds a blues/rock flavor to a solo.

To hear the contrast between the two scales, check out what happens at about 4:39 in this recording of Open Hearts "Today and Tomorrow". We stick to the major scale up to that point. Then the band starts playing E7th and I flat the 3rds and 7ths in a steel solo. I know that I sort of blew the solo on this live recording - sometimes having that much energy behind me rattles me on stage - but the concept is there.

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