The Steel Guitar Forum

So i've really been diving into this tuning lately. Although I move the 7th string G# to the top. The original is:

E
C#
B
G#
F#
D
G#
E

I had played around with it before but always felt it was kind of restless. So I decided to sit down when I had the time and learn more about it, and how it can be used more effectively.

Well, I now treat it as an 'A' tuning on the I chord. When you look at strings 3,4,5, and move them back a whole step, you have A, F#, E. C# and E complete the A6 on the top two strings! Lots of single note ideas here between these frets.

Then the fun really begins if you need dominant IV and V chords....and they are right there in front of you. Lets say you are playing in A between the 10th and 12th fret...all the ideas for the IV are right there at fret 10, V chord at 12, etc.

Since I use A6 most of the time on my bottom neck, this tuning fits great with that. Moral of the story? Don't be afraid to try new things and really analyse tunings when you have a chance.

I have seen posts here in the past RE this tuning and how it can be a bit confounding at times(including me!). Thought this post might help some people.

And if anyone has any more tips/tricks with this tuning...post it!

I like the tuning, but I've opted for E9, which is essentially the same, minus string 2 C# and plus string 6 B. I sometimes tune string 2 to C# for the Boggs E13.

The way you're looking at E13 is the way I try to look at all tunings. I sometimes see A6 tuning as a DMaj9 minus the root. I keep a notebook around here with all that stuff written down, just can't seem to find it at the moment.

Listen to Vance Terry with Billy Jack Wills for LOTS of great E13 licks.

Here's one: play strings 2,5 & 6 (on the original tuning with E on top) two frets up from the tonic for a nice major 7 chord. Add in the 1st string and you have a major 9.

And then try strings 2,4 & 6 and move six frets up or down from the tonic and you have a #9 chord.

Lots of great diminished chords in there, too. This tuning is amazingly versatile!

Yeah, the notebook is a great idea Mike. I actually have a little one with lots of tunings in it...but I think it's time to expand it and add notes and more detail about each tuning.

Those are real cool Russ, thanks for sharing. I agree about the versatility.