The Steel Guitar Forum

Hello All.

Can someone point me in the right direction for playing Hank Williams Half As Much on the E9? I’m a beginning steel player. I sure would appreciate any help. We do an Opry type show that is a benefit for our local American Legion with different performers and I have 3 Hank songs this go round.

half as much as I love you-D; Lonesome Whistle-D; You Win Again-C. All by Hank Williams

Any help to get me close on these songs?

Thank you in advance.

Dawn

I alternate between the first pedal (E13th tuning) and the lever that lowers my E's (B6th tuning). All of the licks can be found with one of those positions or the other.

Dawn, in my mind, there would be three different ways to play those Hank Williams songs. You could play them in the style and sound of the original recordings, you could play them with a more modern-sounding (Nashville-type pedal steel) approach, or play them with a combination of both the older and newer stylings.

Which one might you be shooting for?

Dawn,
I have those three songs tabbed out for E9th.
I have 37 Hank Williams' songs tabbed out plus the ones he recorded under the name of Luke the Drifter.
I believe what you are calling "Lonesome Whistle" is "I'm so lonesome I Could Cry".
I get $2 a piece plus postage.
Thanks,
Erv

Erv Niehaus wrote:I believe what you are calling "Lonesome Whistle" is "I'm so lonesome I Could Cry"

Different song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIo5x-q1GNo

Andy,
You are correct, my mistake.
I'll be tabbing out "(I Heard That)Lonesome Whistle" in the next few days.
That song was written by Hank together with Jimmie Davis.
Erv

Interesting timing. I'm recovering at home with Covid and just watched 'The Last Picture Show' from 1971. Beautiful black and white film set in early 50s Texas, and absolutely chock full of Hank Williams tunes.
I was consciously reminded of how tasteful his arrangement approach and general musical aesthetic was, specifically Half As Much, actually.
I'd say pedals down A6 would give you all you need for most of those phrases in 3rd/15th position for key of C as a starting point, and blend a little A pedal or E lower as mentioned by others.
Those Helms/Byrd phrases are a great study.

A6th (A+B pedals down) doesn't have that high 3rd which is necessary for both Don Helms' and Jerry Byrd's original steel parts.

Right. I was thinking the high 5th would be helpful....but I guess the A pedal E13 thing would get you right in the zone, especially on strings 543.

Thank you all for the replies. I will be trying to figure these tunes out. Your info is very helpful.
I'm still in the early stages of the pedal steel. I guess the most challenging thing to me is knowing exactly what the knee levers do in regards to chords and when to use them. I suppose that is on down the road. I appreciate any and all help.

Dawn

Erv’s arrangements are a bargain and would certainly give you some ideas to get started.

Ken,
Thanks, and I just finished up "Lonesome Whistle".
Erv