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jkwasnik
Aloha
USA
29 Posts |
 Posted - 08/30/2016 : 07:48:53 AM
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Hello, everybody --
I am buying a used 6-string electric lap steel. I've only ever played bottleneck in open-D & open-G, and I'm fairly comfortable with taro patch slack key. Should I stick to the familiar, or start with C6 tuning?
Thanks in advance,
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John Kwasnik
Sacramento, CA
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2189 Posts |
Posted - 09/03/2016 : 05:19:21 AM
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| Welcome! I learned "high bass" or "Dobro" G (GBDGBD-low to high), first, and learned bar control. Later, I put my Dobro into C6, (CEGACE, low to high) to learn Hawaiian style. It's a great adventure! |
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slipry1
Ha`aha`a
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - 09/05/2016 : 5:05:34 PM
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| I've been playing steel guitar for many years. I recommend tuning to the high G dobro tuning at first, from the bottom, G B D G B D as it will be most familiar. Most of my fellow Hawaiian steelers use some form of a "6th" tuning. Konabob Stoffer uses a G6 D B D G A D, I believe. I use a C6, from the bottom, C E G A C E. This tuning is very flexible, and adapts well to Hawaiian meles. Check out The Steel Guitar Forum - http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/index.php, especially the "Steel Without Pedals" page. It's always informative and often entertaining. Where do you live? I give lessons in Seattle. You should also join the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association (ia Facebook is easiest). We're having our convention in Ft. Collins, CO Sept 22-25, if you lie close to there. |
keaka |
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silverface
Aloha
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - 10/11/2016 : 6:51:32 PM
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I've been playing Dobro for years, plus some C6 lap steel. Never looked at a lesson or tab in C6 it's so simple to play by ear.
But if you get Stacy Phillips very good "Hawaiian Steel Guitar" book, about 90% of it is done in Dobro G tuning! So that would be really easy for you to work with. I'm going through it as I have never learned any traditional tunes, just played improvised stuff with family members since I was a kid (some may have been traditional - I just was never aware of the sometimes-variable titles, plus so many players go their own route stylistically sometimes the original tune is not easily recognizable to a "newbie").
Ether one works great and is easy. If you want a real challenge, try B11 - I'm working on it on 8-string and it's REALLY different! |
No Chops but Great Tone! |
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jkwasnik
Aloha
USA
29 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2017 : 09:33:12 AM
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Update: I settled on a Morrell Pro 6-string, found a local instructor (!), and have been getting to know C6. Next string change, I want to try the high-G C6 = EGACEG per the suggestion of Joel Katz, who teaches at U of H Maui. It would be nice to have the 5 on top without having to jump up 3 frets.
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John Kwasnik
Sacramento, CA
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slipry1
Ha`aha`a
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - 01/22/2017 : 11:44:17 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by jkwasnik
Update: I settled on a Morrell Pro 6-string, found a local instructor (!), and have been getting to know C6. Next string change, I want to try the high-G C6 = EGACEG per the suggestion of Joel Katz, who teaches at U of H Maui. It would be nice to have the 5 on top without having to jump up 3 frets.
I use a high G C6 tuning on my 8 string steels (includes Dobros) for bout 10 years - from bottom, G Bb E G A C E G. I love it! Try Joel's tuning first. If you can find it, get Jerry Byrd's Steel Guitar book. It goes through a whole bunch of tunings |
keaka |
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jkwasnik
Aloha
USA
29 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2017 : 07:29:49 AM
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| To try it without re-stringing, I'm experimenting with A6 = C# E F# A C# E ... tuning both C strings up a half step, and the G down, with the A and E's as is. And I'm finding it nice to have that 5 on top (being very familiar with taro patch on my Martin). |
John Kwasnik
Sacramento, CA
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advice for a beginner?
