The Steel Guitar Forum

I have recorded another MP3 using the Leavitt tuning. I asked Roy T. about what kind of style you guys might enjoy hearing using the Leavitt tuning and he suggested that I do a Hawaiian song since a lot of you play that style.

My arrangement is a more of a fantasy, which is a musical style that encompasses improv and does not demand that you follow any strict rules and such.

I chose the Hawaiian Wedding Song because it is about the only Hawaiian song I sort of know the melody to and everybody has played it to death, so I knew I would have to come up with something different to get anybodys' attention. The arrangement really shows off the tuning. Open strings, behind the bar pulls, bar vibrato to sound like chorusing, contrapuntal movements, chord clusters---the kitchen sink.

Hopefully Roy will again put up a link to the MP3 when he gets it. Right now, just send me an Email and I will send you the MP3 back.

The guitar is an 8 string lap steel made by Chet Wilcox with the Leavitt tuning on the inside and a low G# and a high Eb. The guitar first sees an old Alembic preamp and then straight to ADAT. The only effect is some Alesis plate reverb.

Thanks so much.<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Bill Hatcher on 11 November 2005 at 01:48 AM.]</p></FONT>

Bill,
Outstanding!!
Here is my file hosting link and I have asked
Andy Sandoval to provide his in addition
in case my does not work for everybody. http://freefilehosting.net/?id=qNDymqjb

Here you go guys. Bill your really givin the Leavitt tuning a workout. Sounds awesome.
Click Here

At the risk of sounding naive and or ...(cough) not with it, I'm lost on 'Leavitt' tuning ? (Whoz/what's Leavitt?) Is that B11 ? Well don't laugh, told ya, I'm nearing 70 (faster than I wanna, but still learning), thanks to SGF 'steelers' sharing Mp3's, tunings, et al. Enlighten me please..Dan <font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Dan Peterson on 11 November 2005 at 01:07 PM.]</p></FONT>

Hi Dan,

I'm new to the forum here. I'll let Roy, Bill, or Mike explain when they show-up you can check here in the meantime :
http://pedalsteelmusic.com/instruction/nonpedal.html

arrow down to the "Different Slant tab & book"
that explains some about it. I was kind of wonder how long this tuning has been around ?

Rich

Here is a link with information on the man who invented the tuning William "Bill" H. Leavitt. http://www.alisdair.com/educator/williamgleavitt.html
Mike Ihde introduced me to the setup and the
music. He along with several others helped me learn and now we have Bill Hatcher playing up a storm.
It's a great tuning!

Bill, between "It Could Happen To You" and this one, the harmonic possibilities you bring out of this tuning are pushing me to give it a try. Was this your tuning for both songs: (lo-hi) G# C# E G Bb C D Eb?

Was also wondering, since the Leavitt tuning was designed to offer different types of chord extensions without resorting to slants, if you still find slants useful while playing it?
And, have you tabbed out either of these tunes?

Very nice arrangements... more! --Steve

Stephen. I used no bar slants at all. I used some combinations of open strings and bared strings and also a few behind the bar pulls.

Those are the correct notes on the tuning.

Roy is working on a tab for the archives. He is proficient at that.

Thanks Richard ..(and welcome to the forum.) I'm only a few months into it myself and have found it an exceptional educational and inspirational source! Roy and Bill (and others) are so generous with sharing Mp3's of their work. That inspires me to delve into other tunings away from 40 years of casual well-worn C6th and try things I didn't think I was capable of. Mahalo to all! Dan

Bill or Roy would either of you make a recommendation for string gauges on the Leavitt tuning of: (lo to hi) 6 string lap (C#, E, G, Bb, C, D). and 8 if that's available also? Much appreciated if you can? Thanks, Dan

Dan,
Here's what I am using:
D---015
C---017
Bb--022(P)
G---027
E---030
C#--036

Bill I understand uses Eb for the first string and G# for string 8. The inside strings are as stated above.
The gauges for Eb 014 and G# 044 that.. should get you started.

would those string guages work on a short scale stringmaster?

Thanks,

Jordan

Jordan,
My lap steels ar 23" scale so they should
work fine on your Stringmaster.<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Roy Thomson on 12 November 2005 at 11:05 PM.]</p></FONT>

Thanks Roy ..appreciate your input on gauges, as well as your continual generosity in sharing your music with us .. Dan