Leavitt Tuning solo Lap MP3

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 8 Nov 2005 8:04 am

Having been inspired by Roy Thomson and Mike Ihde and their use of the Leavitt tuning for lap steel I decided to learn about this tuning. It is just wonderful for Jazz chord melody style playing.

Email me and I will send you an MP3 I did for solo lap steel on a standard called "It Could Happen To You". It is only 1:40 so it won't take up much room and download fast. Roy kindly offered to help me get an MP3 link on here at some point, but for now, just email me if interested.

This is not about my "work in progress" playing, but meant to share what a useful tuning this is to lap players wanting/needing a more jazz oriented tuning.

Roy Thomson · Post by **Roy Thomson** » 8 Nov 2005 8:26 am

Bill sent me this MP3 last evening and
it is fantastic! A "must hear" for lap steelers whether you like jazz or not.
Great playing Bill and I am so glad you brought this to the Forum.
I have sent the MP3 to Andy Sandoval and
Andy perhaps you could post the link here?

Roy
While waiting for Andy this link may work for some. http://freefilehosting.net/?id=qNH3mqja [This message was edited by Roy Thomson on 08 November 2005 at 08:28 AM.]

Carlos Polidura · Post by **Carlos Polidura** » 8 Nov 2005 8:44 am

man... that was phat!
carlos

Joel Newman · Post by **Joel Newman** » 8 Nov 2005 9:05 am

yes,yes,yes!!!! Bravo Bill . . .

MUSICO · Post by **MUSICO** » 8 Nov 2005 1:17 pm

I find it hard to believe thats a 6 string.

Lovely rich sound

Thanks for sharing
Jeremy Williams
Barcelona Spain

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 8 Nov 2005 2:12 pm

Jeff Strouse · Post by **Jeff Strouse** » 8 Nov 2005 2:25 pm

That's great, Bill!

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 8 Nov 2005 2:26 pm

Jeremy. It is actually an 8 string guitar, but I would say that easily 98% of the arrangment is played on the six strings that make up the Leavitt tuning. I have one higher and one lower string added. The higher added string is an Eb. You can easily get the same note just by pulling the D string up behind the bar with your left hand ring finger when needed, but I liked the high Eb so I would not have to do that so much. Also having the Eb gives you a nice 6th chord when you want it. The lower string is only used in one chord which is the next to the last chord in the song at the end of the decending chord thing that moves down 4 frets at a time. I have not decided on which pitch I am going to permanently tune the low string to. I might let it "float" around for right now and tune it to whatever I need.

Some folks have asked about the guitar. The guitar is a Chet Wilcox lap steel that I set up the way I like it. Chet lives in Illinois and makes some solid economically priced guitars. The pickup is a George L. PFII model that I bought off the forum a couple of weeks ago for $15 used. I had no idea what it would sound like, but for $15 and Paul Franklins initials on it, how can you go wrong. The guitar has only been on the air for a few days and this is the first song I have learned on it.

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 8 Nov 2005 3:41 pm

Bill that's a sweet soundin tune and sounds great on the Leavitt tuning. Here's another link that might work better for some. Click Here Roy, I got your email and decided to beat you to it.

Stephan Miller · Post by **Stephan Miller** » 8 Nov 2005 4:01 pm

Bill, that was REAL easy on the ears...

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 8 Nov 2005 10:54 pm

smooth as silk....thanks

Howard Tate · Post by **Howard Tate** » 9 Nov 2005 2:08 am

That's really wonderful.

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Howard, 'Les Paul Recording, Zum SD12U, Carter D10 8/8, Vegas 400, Boss ME-5, Boss DM-3, DD-3, Fender Steel King, Understanding wife. http://www.Charmedmusic.com

Roy Thomson · Post by **Roy Thomson** » 9 Nov 2005 9:03 pm

I am so happy that Bill Hatcher has come forward with his music and Leavitt compositions. It took me some time and effort to sit down and work with his
"It Could Happen To You Solo" which sat me back big time.
He tells me he's got more coming and I can't wait.
In playing his arrangement I had to "pull"
the first string a half tone as req'd. I did my take on T-Logo Rick. Link as supplied by Andy.
Many thanks Bill,,, http://members.cox.net/loveridehd3/ItCouldHappenToYouLeavitt.mp3

Jeff Strouse · Post by **Jeff Strouse** » 10 Nov 2005 1:41 am

THanks Roy and Bill! Keep them coming! The Leavitt sure is a beautiful tuning...some great Jazz chords come out of it. One of these days I'm going to sit down and learn it. But right now, there are about 8 other tunings that have me occupied (and going crazy)!

Jon Zimmerman · Post by **Jon Zimmerman** » 10 Nov 2005 6:27 am

MMMMMmmm

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 10 Nov 2005 6:45 am

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!

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<pre> ~ ~
©¿© It don't mean a thang,
mm if it ain't got that twang.
www.ntsga.com</pre>

Dan Peterson · Post by **Dan Peterson** » 10 Nov 2005 9:28 am

Superrrrdelicious Bill!! ...(and Roy!) Wow...more, more and bravo! Dan

John Bechtel · Post by **John Bechtel** » 10 Nov 2005 6:44 pm

This Reply is to everyone, but; particularily for Roy Thompson, because; I am more familiar with his name than anyone else, except that Smiley guy! _ _ _ _ I'll be geting a new guitar soon, and my one neck will employ the C-Diatonic 10-string tuning. with tongue in cheek, I must mention that my guitar will be a PSG and it will have the (3)-Pedal and (4)-Knee~Lever changes on it and I'm looking forward to it for one especially good reason! I notice that with the use of (2)-pedals and (1)-knee I will have the basic Leavitt~Tuning by Lowering the 1st-str. to (D) & 3rd. str. to (Bb) and Raiseing the 8th. str. to (C#). So, after admiring what I've heard from this tuning so far, I'm l©©king forward to duplicating a lot of the Leavitt sounds on my new guitar, besides all the great Byrd~Sounds that I'm familiar with up to this point! I expect it will be slightly more difficult for me, because; I will have to use some different grips (jumping-strings) on occasion! To all of you who have demonstrated some of the Leavitt~Tuning here and previously, “Sounds Great”!

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“Big John” Bechtel
’04 SD–10 Black Derby w/3 & 5 & Pad
’65 Re-Issue Fender Twin–Reverb Custom™ 15” Eminence
web site

Roy Thomson · Post by **Roy Thomson** » 10 Nov 2005 7:48 pm

Hello John,

Congratulations on your forthcoming new
guitar!!
I can find Music and Tab for the Leavitt
set up and will sent some to you when you feel the time is right and you get accustomed to the new instrument.
From what you stated you will have the 6 Leavitt notes on strings 1,2,3,?,?,8.
My music/tab is 6 string so you would have to
modify according to your set up.
I will help along with others and wish you
the best.

Roy

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 10 Nov 2005 7:54 pm

Wow!!! Beautiful!

Steinar

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www.gregertsen.com

Dan Sawyer · Post by **Dan Sawyer** » 11 Nov 2005 10:48 am

Congrats Bill. That is a great arrangement and great playing too. It might be the best arrangement in that tuning i've heard. It seems like the additional high string really helps, too. thanks for sharing!

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 11 Nov 2005 11:48 am

I want to thank all you guys for you encouraging words of support.

If you have time, check out the other MP3 of the "Hawaiian Wedding Song". It is a bit more complex, but it was done so to highlight some musical concepts and techniques can be done on the Leavitt tuning.

Dan Sawyer · Post by **Dan Sawyer** » 11 Nov 2005 1:41 pm

Bill, what is the link for Hawaiian Wedding Song?

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 11 Nov 2005 1:49 pm

Dan. Just look right at the other topics here and you will see the "Hawaiian Wedding Song".

Richard Ballou · Post by **Richard Ballou** » 11 Nov 2005 4:23 pm

Hi Bill,

WOW !!! Great !!! Thanks again for sending the MP3. Like I said I'm a Rank beginner but sure appreciate you letting me have the tune before I was a member. I order Mike's course and joined that day. The nite you sent the MP3 I tried tuning from C6th to the leavitt and it's not to bad. I have worked on tryin to find some of the chords in this song. Of course your playing is way over my head.

My favorite thing about your arrangement is it seems so nice to just hear the guitar "solo" nothing else getting in the way and yet a full sounding arrangement.

Exceptional !!!!

Rich