| Author |
Topic: Three Songs I Played In The Late 40's And Early 50's |
C. E. Jackson
|
Posted 30 Aug 2018 2:53 pm |
|
Having another nostalgic day. They seem to come more frequently in my eighties.
After listening to some of my recorded songs, I decided to share 3 of the earliest
I learned in the late 40's and early 50's. All are played with the following tuning.
OCTAVE, HIGH BASE OR ORCHESTRA TUNING
(So called in some instruction books at that time)
H-L: E C# A E C# A
All were played on 6 string lap steels, generally without intros. One player would
play melody and the other player chords, all on steels.
MOCKIN' BIRD HILL
TENNESSEE WALTZ
RED RIVER VALLEY
Lots of difference from how most steel players play today.
Share some of your early songs, if you wish.
C. E. Jackson 
_________________
My Vintage Steel Guitars
My YouTube Steel Guitar Playlists
My YouTube Steel Guitar Songs
A6 tuning for steels |
|
|
|
Joshua Clements
From:
Tifton, Georgia.
|
Posted 31 Aug 2018 6:04 am
|
|
| I have only been playing steel for about five years. I love to hear these old tunes. They are simple, elegant, and have stood the test of time. Great playing and beautiful sound. Thanks for reminding us young steelers of our roots. |
|
|
|
Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
|
Posted 31 Aug 2018 7:25 am
|
|
C.E.,
Thanks for the posting.
I still use the A, high bass tuning on my lap and resonator guitars. 
Erv |
|
|
|
C. E. Jackson
|
|
|
|
C. E. Jackson
|
Posted 2 Sep 2018 9:43 am
|
|
Erv, thanks for your comments. In my opinion, the HIGH BASE or "A" MAJOR is still a
great tuning for beginners.
H-L: E C# A E C# A
After studying and using many different tunings, I finally settled on A6 tuning. With A6,
I can continue to play all old songs I learned in "A" MAJOR, and new songs in A6 or C6,
since I generally play 7 or 8 string steels, but also 6 string steels. Also, the fretboard
marking are the same as most vintage steels which I play and also some newer steels.
It is easy for me to play 3 string chords when playing with others in A6 tuning.
Apparently Jerry Byrd felt it was a good tuning for beginners also, since the following
2 courses start the beginner with the "A MAJOR" tuning.
H-L: E C# A E C# A
Of course, he taught many different tunings in each course. His favorite was probably
"C-6th" tuning.
Several other courses I have also start the beginner with the "A" MAJOR tuning.
Herb Remington, a long time friend, also uses A6, as well as C6 tunings.
Any additional comments which you or others have will be appreciated.
C. E. Jackson
_________________
My Vintage Steel Guitars
My YouTube Steel Guitar Playlists
My YouTube Steel Guitar Songs
A6 tuning for steels |
|
|
|
Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
|
Posted 2 Sep 2018 4:30 pm
|
|
I had two friends in the old days, late 30s thru the 40s, who learned on the Oahu publishing co "number" system. Thing was, neither one of those guys could play without the tab ! And even worse both had tin ears !!
And of course, A major was the tuning, but low base, and the base was played as well as the melody. Haven't heard a solo of that method since the 40s |
|
|
|
Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
|
Posted 3 Sep 2018 7:37 am
|
|
C.E.,
I took the same route as you.
When I went from a 6 string lap guitar to a T-8 Fender Stringmaster, I kept one neck in an A tuning but it was A6th.
This was my Jerry Byrd book:
 |
|
|
|
C. E. Jackson
|
|
|
|
David M Brown
From:
California, USA
|
Posted 4 Sep 2018 6:19 am
|
|
| C. E. Jackson wrote: |
After studying and using many different tunings, I finally settled on A6 tuning. With A6,
I can continue to play all old songs I learned in "A" MAJOR, and new songs in A6 or C6,
since I generally play 7 or 8 string steels, but also 6 string steels. |
I tend to agree.
The old method book I learned from was so old it was A low bass! But the top A C# and E are the same nonetheless. |
|
|
|
Bill Groner
From:
QUAKERTOWN, PA
|
Posted 4 Sep 2018 6:46 am
|
|
What exactly is the guitar in the picture????? Jerry Byrd's picture with the red background. I never saw a steel like that one.
_________________
Currently own, 6 Groner-tone lap steels, one 1953 Alamo Lap steel, Roland Cube, Fender Champion 40 |
|
|
|
Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
|
Posted 4 Sep 2018 7:44 am
|
|
It's a Rickenbacker.
Jerry really preferred this instrument over just about any other and it is designate "The Jerry Byrd Model".
I have one.
Erv
Last edited by Erv Niehaus on 4 Sep 2018 8:10 am; edited 2 times in total |
|
|
|
Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
|
|
|
|
C. E. Jackson
|
|
|
|
Bill Groner
From:
QUAKERTOWN, PA
|
Posted 4 Sep 2018 8:57 am
|
|
Thanx guys.
_________________
Currently own, 6 Groner-tone lap steels, one 1953 Alamo Lap steel, Roland Cube, Fender Champion 40 |
|
|
|
Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
|
|
|
|
Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
|
Posted 4 Sep 2018 12:23 pm
|
|
I love that song.
He makes those slants look so easy.
Erv |
|
|
|
George Rout
From:
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
|
Posted 22 Sep 2018 6:35 pm
|
|
Hi C. E. I have lots of old A Major TAB both high and low bass. How do I post an Mp3 to the forum please?
Geo
_________________
http://georgerout.com
"I play in the A Major tuning. It's fun to learn and so easy to play. It's as old as the hills....like me" |
|
|
|
Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
|
Posted 22 Sep 2018 7:48 pm Re: Three Songs I Played In The Late 40's And Early 50's
|
|
| C. E. Jackson wrote: |
OCTAVE, HIGH BASE OR ORCHESTRA TUNING
(So called in some instruction books at that time)
H-L: E C# A E C# A
|
Back in the early '80s I sold a '70s Sho-Bud Pro I (that would not return its 4th string to pitch after a lower to save its soul) for $600.00 and used the money to purchase a 1929 Style 1 National tricone squareneck. No regrets. The National has been in high-bass A tuning since the day I strung it up, and it will stay that way until after I'm pushin' up daisies. |
|
|
|
