The Steel Guitar Forum Store 

Post new topic Scales
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Scales
Bob Eldridge


From:
Bartlesville, OK USA
Post  Posted 20 Apr 2005 9:42 am    
Reply with quote

no, not the bathroom kind .. that's a problem, but I'm talking about a bigger 'problem'... the MUSICAL kind. And I'm wondering if anyone can be of help. Here's the deal ...

I started playin in 1970's. There were not many (if any) good instructors out there so I learned on my own.. listening to CW music, etc. Figuring out the basic rules and specific licks on my own. That's okay, but only to a point. I got 'good' enough to play with a band .. probably a very desperate band, but we made out okay. Then I took a break from music... for about 15 years...

I've recently gotten back into the steel.. and MUCH of the 'rust' has been knocked off, but I've a LONG way to go. I'm retired now and have the time (and money?) to do this RIGHT.

From my six string experience, I'm thinking I have to start with learning to incorporate scales into my playing so I don't have to 'memorize' everything. The question is... WHICH of the 100's of scales do you begin with. There must be 100 ways to play 'do-re-mi' in each of the 12 keys .. and that's just the major scales...

Where do you begin? I'm not a professional, but I'm not half bad and I know that I could be a lot better if I did this RIGHT ... any thoughts?? Thanks for your input!

------------------
Bob's Place bobeldridge@bobeldridge.com GFI S-10D - ProFX2 + 2 Nashville 1000's


View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Larry Bell


From:
Englewood, Florida
Post  Posted 20 Apr 2005 11:29 am    
Reply with quote

THE MAJOR SCALE is the most important to learn, and it gives you six more (called the diatonic modes) for free. It's just DoReMiFaSolLaTiDo and is created by starting on a note (e.g., C) and raising a WHOLE, WHOLE, HALF, WHOLE, WHOLE, WHOLE, HALF tone pattern, producing, in C, CDEFGABC.

A great deal of music is written with this scale. If you want to learn the other six diatonic modes, just play the same notes and start at a different point. For example, if you start at D, the intervals will change and you'll end up with a D scale with a minor third and flatted 7th, called the Dorian mode. Play DEFGABCD over a Dm or Dm7 chord. There are other useful scales among the diatonic modes, but probably the other most useful one is when you play a C scale starting on G (GABCDEFG). It's called the Mixolydian mode and it sounds good over a G7 chord.

There was a HUUUUUUGE thread (called 'Threadzilla') in the No Peddlers area that described scale theory in very usable format. Check it out. But first, learn the major, Dorian minor, and Mixo seventh scales. You should find the modes of CMajor at the 3rd fret with pedals down and the 8th fret with no pedals (but using A and B to get the notes of the scale). Just make it sing Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Ti Do and you most of the way there -- then start looking at ways to create other scales from it.

Hope this isn't too confusing.

------------------
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Bob Eldridge


From:
Bartlesville, OK USA
Post  Posted 20 Apr 2005 12:56 pm    
Reply with quote

Thanks, Larry .. that sounds like a good starting point. Now.. we add harmony to each note in all the scales ...
hmmm...

Ok.. I can do that... thx again!

------------------
Bob's Place bobeldridge@bobeldridge.com GFI S-10D - ProFX2 + 2 Nashville 1000's


View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Bob Eldridge


From:
Bartlesville, OK USA
Post  Posted 20 Apr 2005 1:25 pm    
Reply with quote

By the way, Larry... just checked out your website ... You're an incredible player!!! I'm going to order your CD ... thanks for taking the time to answer a beginner's questions!!

------------------
Bob's Place bobeldridge@bobeldridge.com GFI S-10D - ProFX2 + 2 Nashville 1000's


View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Bob Hoffnar


From:
Austin, Tx
Post  Posted 20 Apr 2005 2:47 pm    
Reply with quote

You have some great teachers in your area !

I would give Gary Carpenter a call:

817 560 2277

He is over in Ft. Worth.

Reese Anderson is close by also. These are 2 of the best steel players that ever lived and they both know how to explain themselves to students.

I can think of a pile more truly amazing players that are right around you. Bud Carter, Jr Knight, Johnny Cox.....

At one point I was going to move to Dallas just to be around those guys. You are a lucky man to live in such a great place for steel players !

------------------
Bob
intonation help



View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Bob Eldridge


From:
Bartlesville, OK USA
Post  Posted 20 Apr 2005 3:22 pm    
Reply with quote

Thanks for the info, Bob.. 'preciate ya!

------------------
Bob's Place bobeldridge@bobeldridge.com GFI S-10D - ProFX2 + 2 Nashville 1000's


View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Bob Eldridge


From:
Bartlesville, OK USA
Post  Posted 20 Apr 2005 3:29 pm    
Reply with quote

Bob, can you get me your email so I can order one of those intonation CD's? Thx!

------------------
Bob's Place bobeldridge@bobeldridge.com GFI S-10D - ProFX2 + 2 Nashville 1000's


View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Jeff Agnew

 

From:
Dallas, TX
Post  Posted 21 Apr 2005 4:17 am    
Reply with quote

Call Reece.

There are many teachers who can show you and tell you what and how to play. Reece can tell you why, and in terms you can understand. It is a gift few have.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

David Wren


From:
Placerville, California, USA
Post  Posted 21 Apr 2005 7:14 am    
Reply with quote

I would suggest giving Paul Franklin's instructional series a try.... I purchased his one for minor sclaes on the E9th tuning, very good, and easy to understand.

------------------
Dave Wren
'95Carter S12-E9/B6,7X7; Session500; Hilton Pedal
www.ameechapman.com

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website


All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  

Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction,
steel guitars & accessories

www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

Please review our Forum Rules and Policies

Steel Guitar Forum LLC
PO Box 237
Mount Horeb, WI 53572 USA


Click Here to Send a Donation

Email admin@steelguitarforum.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for
Band-in-a-Box

by Jim Baron
HTTP