| Author |
Topic: Leavitt Tuning Training Material? |
Travis Brown
From:
Florida, USA
|
Posted 23 Feb 2021 8:33 am |
|
I have been messing around with Leavitt and think it's pretty interesting, but I'm new enough at lap steel that a few pointers to help 'unlock' the tuning would be great.
I've been googling quite a bit and can't find a book on the Leavitt tuning. I found a bunch of forum posts where Mike Ihde used to sell some Leavitt materials, but his site is down and he's not responding to me emails.
Free is fine but I'm happy to pay if anyone can point me in the right direction.
Thanks! |
|
|
|
Rob Fenton
From:
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
|
Posted 23 Feb 2021 8:56 am
|
|
Hi Travis,
I have been working on Leavitt quite a bit the last few months and it is challenging but certainly rewarding. I bought the original Leavitt arrangements and the Mike Ihde book years ago but didn't really get into it before I gave most of them away. Wish I still had them!
The ones I do still have do give some insights into how Mr. Leavitt arranged songs, but I found the best way to learn the tuning was to devise myself my own chart.
I categorized things by the type of chord (prioritizing covering the 3rd and 7th whenever possible), and which note was in the melody. It didn't actually take very long to figure out and it makes a big difference when arranging. There are a lot of chords available, but few voicing options.
I only have it handwritten to this point, but I'll type it up after work today.
I haven't thus far really spent much time working out scales in the tuning, as I revert to my C6th neck for soloing. I don't think I'll ever be brave enough to try and play a show with only the Leavitt tuning! |
|
|
|
David DeLoach
From:
Tennessee, USA
|
|
|
|
Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
|
Posted 23 Feb 2021 10:46 am
|
|
Berklee College of Music professor Mike Ihde wrote two great books of Leavitt arrangements. His website seems to be gone but you might try this email to see if he's still selling them: thephotodoctor@comcast.net
_________________
Steel Guitar Books! Website: www.volkmediabooks.com |
|
|
|
Roy Thomson
From:
Wolfville, Nova Scotia,Canada
|
Posted 23 Feb 2021 11:55 am
|
|
[b]
I have 2 books with matching CD's that are still available. Anyone interested can email me and I can send samples and purchasing detail.
I feature several styles on Leavitt Tuning in addition to Jazz. It is a flexible tuning when you get to know the "pockets". roythomson@eastlink.ca
https://soundcloud.com/roy-thomson/sample-leavitt
RoyT
_________________
Custom Tabs Various Tunings
Courses Lap Steel, Pedal Steel |
|
|
|
Travis Brown
From:
Florida, USA
|
Posted 23 Feb 2021 3:51 pm
|
|
Thanks for the tips!
After I posted this, a forum member contacted me to sell his copies of the Ihde books and cds, so I've got them on the way.
Roy, I'll be contacting you for more info.
Thanks again, everybody! |
|
|
|
Will Brown
From:
Oklahoma, USA
|
Posted 23 Feb 2021 5:20 pm levvit
|
|
| Travis if you really want to learn that tuning Roy has some Great stuff on it. and not only that he can tab you out what ever you want. And right he has Tabed me out 100,s of song through the years He is a master at it And a great guy to do bussiness with |
|
|
|
Travis Brown
From:
Florida, USA
|
Posted 24 Feb 2021 8:11 am Re: levvit
|
|
| Will Brown wrote: |
| Travis if you really want to learn that tuning Roy has some Great stuff on it. and not only that he can tab you out what ever you want. And right he has Tabed me out 100,s of song through the years He is a master at it And a great guy to do bussiness with |
I appreciate the tip, I just bought one of Roy's courses. |
|
|
|
Roy Thomson
From:
Wolfville, Nova Scotia,Canada
|
Posted 25 Feb 2021 4:05 pm
|
|
Thanks all and especially my dear friend William Brown. I love to provide people with what they want. My new approach is to do it email. Saves so much time. I can provide the files within a very short time. Less than same day. 
_________________
Custom Tabs Various Tunings
Courses Lap Steel, Pedal Steel |
|
|
|
David Becker
From:
California, USA
|
Posted 14 Mar 2021 2:01 pm
|
|
I am in the same boat as Travis, wanting to get into the Leavitt tuning. Some of the recordings that Bill Hatcher has posted here have really piqued my interest.
Is there anyone else out there who is willing to part with your Mike Ihde book(s) and CD(s) on Leavitt tuning?
Thanks! |
|
|
|
Travis Brown
From:
Florida, USA
|
Posted 14 Mar 2021 4:53 pm
|
|
David I sent you a PM regarding the Ihde books.
Also, I haven't spent a lot of time with it yet, but the book I bought from Roy seems like it will help any interested folks understand the appeal of Leavitt. I definitely recommend it. |
|
|
|
