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Topic: Tuning Question |
George Kovolenko
From:
Estero, Florida, USA
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Posted 4 Oct 2007 8:31 am |
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I just purchased a vintage Silvertone 6 and have a question about tuning. I play guitar (for 20+ years) and a little fiddle so I have some musical background. Since I am just learing to play lap steel. I have a couple of questions. Sorry if they are so basic.
I plan on playing western swing, hawaiian, and folk / bluegrass.
1. Is there a tuning that is significantly easier to to learn?
2. Is there a tuning that suits this type of music?
3. Is there instructional material that is more available in a particular tuning (or not particularly available in a tuning that would meet my needs)?
if so...
Which learing material would you suggest to get started?
Thanks for you feedback.
George Kovolenko |
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Scott Thomas
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Posted 4 Oct 2007 8:54 am
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C6 tuning ECAGEC (hi to low) covers both western swing and Hawaiian equally well. That also happens to be the tuning that most instruction is in as well. For western swing especially, the majority would probably put the 5th on top for a GECAGE. Really, this all opens up a big subject, because there are many useful tunings and variations to consider for the styles you are interested in.
However, overall and for avaliability of instruction, I would suggest the C6.
Dewitt Scott (Scotty) has a good beginner book on the basics of C6
Rick Aiello has some free video demonstrating the proper technique for slanting.
Denny Turner has some very in depth theory for free on his website. These folks are all Forum members.
For Western Swing, I understand that Cindy Cashdollar's videos are pretty good as well. She uses the C6 with the 5th on top I mentioned above.
Then there is the "Big Kahuna"  Jerry Byrd's Complete Steel Guitar for the Serious Student.
This is the one I bought when I started steel guitar. Expensive, but worth every penny, I believe.
Finally and most importantly, listen listen listen to all the greats past and present and begin to use your ears and learn how they do it.
Good luck and have fun!! |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 4 Oct 2007 9:22 am
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I suggest E major, as you're coming from guitar it might make more sense. Once you're fairly comfortable, you can start using the variations on E tuning, such as E7, E6 (C#m7), etc.
This is what worked for me up 'til now.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Jim Bates
From:
Alvin, Texas, USA
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Posted 4 Oct 2007 9:29 am
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I vote for the C#m version (h-l E C# B G# E D). This keeps the Hawaiian in a higher,voiceing and is great for the swing licks.
Thanx,
Jim |
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Tim Whitlock
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 4 Oct 2007 3:44 pm
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| Another vote for C6 (H-L ECAGEC). Right off the bat you're strumming those big sweet 6th chords that can't help but sound Hawaiian or western swing. Then you can start navigating within and between the chords, finding slant combinations, licks, etc. I found C6 to be a very intutitive tuning for this type of music and was able to progress quickly without instructional materials (with some guitar and theory background). Not too good for bluegrass, but you can play some cool hillbilly boogie. You'll notice if you strum up starting on the bottom string C-E-G-A-C, it's a built in boogie woogie that you can use as a base to build all kinds of licks and melodies. Fun stuff! You'll find that the hardest part starting out is getting the racket out of your picks and bar. |
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 4 Oct 2007 3:53 pm
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Because you play guitar already, the pockets involved in the E6 or E13th tuning will be familiar to you so that's the tuning I recommend.
Question, as a guitarist could you really relate to a tuning that puts Eb at the third fret, i think not, so there's the reason NOT to use the C6.
One further point, if you use the E13th Keep E as the top string and don't be tempted to use the "Don Helms" E13th with the high G#.
Last edited by basilh on 5 Oct 2007 4:37 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Scott Thomas
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Posted 4 Oct 2007 4:11 pm
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Leon's E13 is acutally EC#BG#F#DG#E hi to lo made popular by Western Swing legend Leon McAuliffe. Just to clarify. (Take it away Leon!  )
The E13 variants with the high G# is the sound of Don Helms with Hank Williams and Roy Wiggins with Eddy Arnold and others. Perfect for that honky tonk sound! |
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