The Steel Guitar Forum

<SMALL>I don't know why steel makers haven't solved the vrtical knee problem when closing the case</SMALL>

On Zumsteels, the vertical unfolds very easily while laying in the case. When setting up, it folds back into the normal playing position easily as well, while you sit in front of the steel. Sometimes it flops back down because the set screw might have loosened from the original unfolding action in the case. This is easily tightened by twisting the screw with your thumb and a finger and setting the vertical knee again. The entire action literally takes seconds, and all while sitting in front of the steel. Very convienient.

To find a useful position for using the B-Bb change It might come in handy to apply a little bit of music theory.
Looking only on the 5th string B-Bb. For any given position you will have a group of 3 notes (not counting the split w/Apedal)You have the note where your bar is + 1note a halftone below(B-Bb) and 1note a whole-note above(Apedal)

Two obvious places to apply this is

1: to cover the notes 3rd 4th & 5th or B C & D over a Gchord (located at 1st fret for the Gchord)

2: to cover the notes 6 b7 Root or E F G over a Gchord (located at 6th fret for the Gchord)

Then try the other strings and listen/figure out how they work in that context.

Additional positions to try.......

3: To cover the notes 9 b3 11 or B C D over an Am chord (located at 1st fret E's-Eb engaged)

4: To get the b5 when playing pentatonic ideas. (located at open position Bpedal pressed and F#'s-G)

5: only if you have a lever that lowers G#-G to cover 7 Root 9 for Harmonic minor stuff. Am at 10fret.

Bengt

This approach can be used for other changes as well. Find out which notes is available on the other strings when the Bpedal changes between the 3rd/4th E/F of a C chord or between 2/b3 B/C for an Am chord or between 6/b7 E/F for a G-chord. <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Bengt Erlandsen on 12 September 2002 at 06:34 AM.]</p></FONT>

If you split the B-Bb lower with the A pedal (it then works with the C pedal as well) you get a nice F#dim or D7 without root in the open position with pedals B+C+vertical: C-F#-A. It´s the same as knee lever F on the first fret.
Here´s a fast little run in eighths going from A to D to A, similar to the last run on Brad Paisley´s "Wrapped Around":

<font face="monospace" size="3"><pre>
1__(A)_____________________|_(D)__________
2__________________________|______________
3__5____5B_____6B____7B____|_10____12_____
4__5____5C_____6C____7C____|_10____12_____
5____5_____5C_____6C____7C_|___10_____12__


1_____________________|__(A)__
2_____________________|_______
3__12B______14B_______|__17___
4__12C______14C_______|__17___
5______12C______14C+v_|__17___

</pre></font>

You could get the 14B+C+vertical also with 15F, but on a fast run I find it easier this way. The notes are D-G#-B making G#dim or E7 no root.

Rainer

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Remington D 10 8+7, Sierra Crown D 10 gearless 8+8, Sierra Session S 14 gearless 8+5, Peavey Session 400 LTD

This is a great thread.
Got a few new licks from it last night.

That diminished with A+B+(B>Bb)+(E>Eb) works extrememly perfectly on my axe!
(My B>Bb is LKV and E>Eb is in RKR.)
Since I have no open D on my S12U, I get a diminished, perfectly in tune, on 11 of 12 strings!

Some others I was immediatly able to work into my playing:
A7 at 8th fret string 3 4 5 (E's-F) release the E-F lever and lower B-Bb at the same fret to get a D9.
These positions can also be used for the 2 and 5 chords, all in close proximity, with a cool feel about them.

The Steein' the Blues example was great also.
From the AB position, the B to Bb gives you the 4 chord and 2 frets up to the 5 chord. Kind of a "6th on 9th" lick.
Since you're in the A+B position, that diminished position works right into the mix!
Tune-able spits rule!

I also found the positions Bengt was talking about, and yes, I'll have to get used to those grips to work them in, but they are there.

Thanks Gang!
~pete




<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Pete Burak on 12 September 2002 at 08:33 AM.]</p></FONT>