The Steel Guitar Forum

enjoyed nelsons post on C6 tuning pedal steel sounding lap steel. i posted this mp3 14 years ago...yikes! the pedal players always talked about buddy emmons playing "a way to survive" so i decided to record a version for non pedal guitar just sort of on a dare. so far it has had thousands of hits. the tuning is leavitt with some extra strings. i dont have the time or the expertise to tab or notate this, but maybe it will also inspire some to explore what the non pedal guitar can accomplish in regards to playing pedal sounding styles. i tried to cop some E9 and some C6.

https://www.mediafire.com/file/59jtbwwd ... l.mp3/file

here is a hank tune i did using some pedal style licks. https://soundcloud.com/bill-hatcher/mansion-on-the-hill

Outstanding, Bill! You've captured much of the Emmons vibe on "Way to Survive" and added some of your own style as well.

Bill,

Your second link returns an error:

"The file you requested has been removed from MediaFire for a violation of our Terms of Service. "

Brad Bechtel wrote:Bill,

Your second link returns an error:

"The file you requested has been removed from MediaFire for a violation of our Terms of Service. "

thanks brad. used another tune link on soundcloud.

Absolutely amazing to think that was done on lap steel.
Difficult enough on pedals for a top player let alone without pedals.
You are a incredible Bill.

Superb, Bill. Some of your changes and transitions are otherworldly! I’m wondering how much the Leavitt tuning allowsthat might not be practical or even possible with C6. Now you have enough intrigued to explore that tuning! BTW, was “Mansion” recorded with 14 string steel that I’ve seen you use on some terrific YouTube clips?

Nelson Checkoway wrote:Superb, Bill. Some of your changes and transitions are otherworldly! I’m wondering how much the Leavitt tuning allowsthat might not be practical or even possible with C6. Now you have enough intrigued to explore that tuning! BTW, was “Mansion” recorded with 14 string steel that I’ve seen you use on some terrific YouTube clips?

Nelson. Enjoyed so much your C6 pedal sounds. Made me think of examples I posted years ago. There are a lots of licks possible on the non pedal lap that will work when you need the essence of that sound.

i just did a search for that tune. mike neer had issued a call for folks to post their version of the tune and i recorded one. 2012 was the year and yes it was done on the 14 string VERY extended leavitt. its probably best to think of it as leavitt and alkiere smashed together. theres the diminished leavitt and the diatonic alkiere together.

Thanks for sharing your tracks and for your kind words about my playing. FYI I just updated my recent post with the C6 jazz track that Doug Beaumier referred to. Give a listen if you have a chance. Cheers!