The Steel Guitar Forum

Hey gang,

Been meaning to do this video lesson for a while--How to Tune to B11

I'm using an 8 string Georgeboards in Low C6, but focus mostly on the top (highest) 6 strings for reasons which I explain in the video.

http://steelguitarmojo.com/b11.shtml

Hope this helps some players who have never seen or heard this tuning before.

Best wishes,

Josh

Hi Josh, Thanks so much for posting the B11 tuning and I am anxiously awaiting to hear your version of "How Dya Do". Ever since I saw the youtube video of Billy Hew Len play it, its been one of my favorites. If you have tab too that would be totally awesome!!!! Thanks, Bob

In the Billy Hew Len video that I saw, it looks as
if he is using an A6th tuning for "How Dya Do" because of the slants he is using.
Perhaps someone with a more in depth knowledge of this great steeler can comment?
Thanks

It's hard to make out the tunings, but you can always ascertain what Keys guys are playing in-which helps tremendously to say the least.

In the video on this page, they're playing in the Key of Bb, half a step higher than normally played.

..and Blake,

Judging by one of the slants that Billy is doing, I would say that you're in the right direction.

I'll study the video and get back with you on this.

..and Robert,

It's ironic that we're talking about How Dy'a Do played in different tunings (including the one I just completed in High C6), because it's most often played using B11 (at least around here__)

Thanks for the info guys.
I am new, am having trouble figuring out an 8 string set (gauges) for B11 tuning on my new dynalap. If someone can point me in the right direction, that'd be great!

Brian, click on the strings link at the top of the page and look at the string gauges for A6 tuning. A6 and B11 can use the same strings.

Andy
Thanks a million! I knew that you guys would be all over it. I'm brand new to this - played guitar for years in a variety of groups but always loved the sound of steels, pedal and non-, so now I'm on my way! The hard (and really fun) work can start now.

Billy Hew Len plays a A6th tuning.

Thanks Josh, very helpful, I play in A6th so thats a minor change for me, i love howdya do but Sand doesnt float my boat just yet, could any forumite pitch in with another clasic B11th tune so I dont have to retune during a set just to play one number ?

Ya know, the top four strings in B11 ARE A6, the bottom are B7, so that's how you get B11. Just had a B11 lesson from Alan Akaka today. I'm learning Hana and also how to get around in the tuning. I played "Sand" at the Moana Terrace last night with the Keawe clan.