The Steel Guitar Forum

In another current discussion I posted this little exercise with regard to the 2nd string, 1/2 and full tone.

I was asked to write some tab, so here it is . I did mention that although I am a firm believer of tab , to a degree, I also think we should attempt to seek the phrases without it as we may stumble on to something else which sparks creativity.


good luck...


www.tprior.com/2ndstring.mp3

Thanks Tony. I need more help like this. JimE

Tony, when I write out tab for students or just myself, I've begun writing D1 and D2 for second string lowers, D1 meaning half-step lower, D2 meaning whole-step lower. Consider trying that, should simplify tab without having to write out with words what changes you mean. Just a thought!

I hear ya John and do not disagree, but the fact of the matter is, after doing this for well over a decade or more, writing the actual words leaves nothing left for interpretation!

I hadn't really thought of it before, but I think if I saw tab with L and LL, it would be pretty intuitive as a single or double lower. Just sayin.......

ok, then never mind the tab !

Thanks for posting Tony! I'm just getting familiar with the 3 & 4 lever (or d and g) and was looking for something along these lines. Great timing buddy.

Thanks for posting this Tony. Easy to understand. Let's see some more.

http://www.steelguitartablature.com/. I ordered 5 tabs and have heard nothing from them. I have sent emails to check on order and get no reply. I paid with PayPal. Does anyone know if they are still in business and how to contact them?

Tony, great tab/licks; always enjoy your stuff and your tab is always perfectly clear. Thanks.

For those who are interested, Herb Steiner uses "b" for lower 1/2 step and "bb" for lower whole step. He also uses "#" for 1/2 step raise and "##" for whole step raise.

This is awesome, thanks for posting it. The mp3 file is what gets it for me. Forty plus years of playing banjo by ear has left me needing to hear it. I'm able to get up to speed on these exercises waaaaaay faster when I know what they are supposed to sound like.

I wish every tab on the site included an audio file.

Thanks again

Tony, that is great and having a sound clip is really super.
I see so many (other tabs) that don't a sound clip or other
info included to help you out, so I don't bother with them.
I see nothing wrong with your tab and the track is great.
Do you have anymore tabs and tracks available like this.

Well....I unfortunately don't have the lower on the 6th string for lines two and three. Bummer, guess I'll have to look into adding that.

thanks for the nice words gentlemen, I am of the same camp as many have said, I like to HEAR what the heck I am supposed to be studying along with the piece of paper in front of me.


The 6th string is not imperative but I threw that in there to show just what a very simple phrasing can add to the big picture.

regarding the writing of the tab, I dunno if some of it is politically correct or not , I gotta be honest, I pretty much don't care. To me what matters is can it be understood . If I write something extra on it that just may make it easier to understand , why struggle, it's a piece of paper with a note on it...

At the end of the day someone will use it a few times, maybe learn a phrase or two, then never look at it again.

My opinion of tab has always been and is still the same, it's a way to improve but shouldn't be a crutch. Use it and apply the study to your skill set.

I don't want to take advantage of this section of the forum but the question was raised above,


I do have TAB projects available over here

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewforum.php?f=18

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=295492

Tony Prior wrote:thanks for the nice words gentlemen, I am of the same camp as many have said, I like to HEAR what the heck I am supposed to be studying along with the piece of paper in front of me.


The 6th string is not imperative but I threw that in there to show just what a very simple phrasing can add to the big picture.

regarding the writing of the tab, I dunno if some of it is politically correct or not , I gotta be honest, I pretty much don't care. To me what matters is can it be understood . If I write something extra on it that just may make it easier to understand , why struggle, it's a piece of paper with a note on it...

At the end of the day someone will use it a few times, maybe learn a phrase or two, then never look at it again.

My opinion of tab has always been and is still the same, it's a way to improve but shouldn't be a crutch. Use it and apply the study to your skill set.

I don't want to take advantage of this section of the forum but the question was raised above,


I do have TAB projects available over here

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewforum.php?f=18

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=295492

I agree on the use of tab. I'm it with PSG at the present because I'm new to it, so it help me put together the foundation of the basic mechanics of playing the darn think. Once that's out of the way enough to be somewhat function, I'll default to my ear first and only go to tabs if I absolutely have to. I've been playing banjo over 40 years, and when I was actively gigging, played with two guys with degrees in music. Time and time again, a good ear proved to trump a musical degree. Once I invited a guy from work who played Violin with the San Francisco symphony. I thought sure us country/folk players would be out gunned. We told him key of G, just listen and play along, nope, he was worthless, without music to read, he was lost.

Tony, can you please enlighten me on the 6th string lower? Which lever would that be on, and how common is that change? Is it something I really should have in my copedent?

Thanks for taking the time to post these exercises.

Gino the 6th string lower is a really nice "add" to phrasing. If your Steel will allow a split tuning to drop 6 with the AB pedals in as was well as on it's own without AB Pedals ( B pedal) then you are in for a treat !

I no longer have the Franklin ped on my Steels but each have the drop 6 which is a nice sub. Very interesting movement as shown on the tab / audio above.

Tony Prior wrote:Gino the 6th string lower is a really nice "add" to phrasing. If your Steel will allow a split tuning to drop 6 with the AB pedals in as was well as on it's own without AB Pedals ( B pedal) then you are in for a treat !

I no longer have the Franklin ped on my Steels but each have the drop 6 which is a nice sub. Very interesting movement as shown on the tab / audio above.

Thanks Tony. My guitar is setup for split tuning, but I have to honest, as a newbie, I have no idea how the mechanics of that work, or really what split tuning is. Guess it time for a search on the forum.