Todd Pertll wrote:I'm playing with the tuning: low to high ACEGBD which there is not a lot of learning material for. But, as of now, I feel its a pretty versatile and I want to stick with it.
I'll throw in that I'm somewhat of a beginner on lap steel. Anyway, I'm looking for some practice routines that aren't tuning specific to help me get to know the fret board.
I was thinking possibly some good western swing solo transcriptions, but all I seem to find is tab.
Thanks for the help guys,
todd
Well, I'm no expert, but this is what helped me learn the fret board on the C6 tuning: (it's just what worked for me)
1) I stopped using Tabs. In the beginning, I learned a lot from tab, but I think tab can hold you back as you never really learn the note names, scales, intervals etc.
2)I put a clip on tuner on my headstock (clip it to a tuner key, anywhere..I found the Snark to be the best so far.) That way if I get really lost, I can quickly verify where I am, and how bad my intonation is. Then I started learning scales.
3) I got a few EZ play keyboard books, the kind with the chords and standard notation (played monophonic, one note at a time) for the melody. Using these I started playing melodies all around the steel. This quickly improves your sight reading, and you start to memorize where all the notes are. (and when I start to get confused, I glance at my clip-on tuner, which is just a helpful crutch that I need less and less)
Lately, I've been using some Ukulele books (The "Jumping Jim's" series), they have good standard notation using single note melody lines for a good variety of songs. I just stumble through the melody, slowly and learn that way.
4) I started figuring where the sixth, third (and fifths) of the notes to the scales are I was using for the single line melodies I was playing. Then I started adding harmony notes, chords etc to them.
It's a slow process, and I'm still working at it, but I'm finally starting to feel like I really know the C6 layout. (and I don't have to depend on other peoples' tabs anymore)
I also recently started learning from DeWitts' "Mel Bay presents Gospel Pedal Steel Guitar". It's good because it has standard notation (and tab, but for e9 pedal, so I just ignore the tab). The arrangements are good, and MOST of the harmony etc. in it can be played almost note for note on a C6 lap, using slants etc. and what can't be played, can be played by leaving those harmony notes out, or picking something else. It's a real learning experience.
anyway, what I am doing could be done in any tuning, I would think, I just decided to focus on C6 six string.