I am trying to get a young man started on steel. He has an old Fender double neck (8 string) that he wants to play "rockabilly" on. However, I play pedal steel (E9th / C6th) and am not too familar with straight steel tunings - especially 8 strings.
Could someone recommend a couple of tunings that would lend themselves to a new player - playing rockabilly?
RockaBilly Tunings
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I think the same modified E9 and C6 tunings that you use would work well on this guitar.
E6/7 (bass to treble):
B D E G# B C# E G#
C6/Am7 (bass to treble):
A C E G A C E G
That's what I use, but I don't play rockabilly.
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E6/7 (bass to treble):
B D E G# B C# E G#
C6/Am7 (bass to treble):
A C E G A C E G
That's what I use, but I don't play rockabilly.
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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars
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In addition to the tunings mentioned, I find that E13 works well for Rockabilly styles !
From bass to treble:
E G# D F# G# B C# E
There are different variations of this tuning of course, but I like this one the best. I use a 74 gauge for the low E, and a 56 or 58 for the low G#. This will vary depending on the scale length, etc.
From bass to treble:
E G# D F# G# B C# E
There are different variations of this tuning of course, but I like this one the best. I use a 74 gauge for the low E, and a 56 or 58 for the low G#. This will vary depending on the scale length, etc.
I play steel with rockabilly bands and use the standard C6th tuning with an E on top.Brad Bechtel's website and Cindy Cashdollars videos are invaluable resources for getting started on steel.
Hey Cindy,I found a source for the "Hawaiian Rainbow" video you were looking for.I lost your number so I couldn't call you back,but the video is available at a website called facets.org .
Hey Cindy,I found a source for the "Hawaiian Rainbow" video you were looking for.I lost your number so I couldn't call you back,but the video is available at a website called facets.org .
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I think the C6 and E9 tunings are the best for Rockabilly.I like EBG#F#EDBE-you can wail in the top E and B strings Carl Perkins style and using the BDF# gives you a minor.
Also,since I started out in G tuing on Dobro,G6(DBGEDBGE hi to lo) is pretty good.You can use the EBE strings for boogie type rhythm riffs and middle E,B and hi D give a nice E7 sound you can switch into out of the usual open G licks.
Also,since I started out in G tuing on Dobro,G6(DBGEDBGE hi to lo) is pretty good.You can use the EBE strings for boogie type rhythm riffs and middle E,B and hi D give a nice E7 sound you can switch into out of the usual open G licks.
easiest thing....same as C6...I call E6, but of course it has lot's of names...Don Helm's tuning:
L-H, A C# E G# B C# E G#....so you get a major A triad on bottom, rest is C6 tuned up to E, same intervals
and C6, A C E G A C E G or and can always tune the low A to Bb to get 7th chords or put the e on top and add a bass C and change the A to Bb...C13...of course..for just starting out there is always E7,
E G# B D E G# B E
Mike
L-H, A C# E G# B C# E G#....so you get a major A triad on bottom, rest is C6 tuned up to E, same intervals
and C6, A C E G A C E G or and can always tune the low A to Bb to get 7th chords or put the e on top and add a bass C and change the A to Bb...C13...of course..for just starting out there is always E7,
E G# B D E G# B E
Mike