Thanks so much for pointing me in that direction Grizz, appreciate it! I had no idea Ben Harper offered all that tab on his website, that's amazing!! Now I just have to get good enough to actually be able to attempt some of that stuff. Beginner Dobro Lessons with Troy...here I come!
Here's my question for D tuning users: is it any good for playing in keys other than D? I've heard some great Dobro stuff in D tuning, but it seems to be always in the key of D (or E or F with a capo). Do you ever get to the point where you can jam on a tune in C or Eb, for instance, as easily as you can in standard tuning? Just wonderin'...
I can't say I've tried to play in anything other than D when tuned to D. I guess it'd be similar to playing in keys other than G when you're tuned to G? Except one of the nice things about D tuning is how the open strings sound and you lose at least part of that when playing in another key. But I'm no expert on it at all, just someone trying to learn. D is nice for playing things with an alternating bass line.
Liz, as far as I know C or C# tuning is just D dropped down a whole or half step. Gives a deeper sound, sounds nice on a weiss.
Well two day ago I changed my 71-K Oahu to C#m C# - F# - B – E – G# - C# One reason is it has a Baggs M-1 and I am working on Mike de Velta's "Doorstep to Your Heart" . To be able to get anywhere near his sound I have to be amplified for the reverb. What a cool tuning. And Jim, you're right. If I can ever learn it the alternating bass line is killer.
Steve Dawson uses a variation of C as well. C - G - C - G - C - D
Steinar Gergertson uses a D variant D - A - D - F# - A - C# and he quite often uses this C variant C - G - C - G - C - E Note: Power chord potential and 3rd of chord on first string
Steve Dawson uses a variation of C as well. C - G - C - G - C - D
Steinar Gergertson uses a D variant D - A - D - F# - A - C# and he quite often uses this C variant C - G - C - G - C - E Note: Power chord potential and 3rd of chord on first string
And let us not forget my inspiration Ed Gerhard who tunes down a step and a half from D. IMO the best Weissenborn player on the planet. Listen to the Bass line, it goes right to the heart and soul. If you doesn't for you than last rites are in order.
On YouTube, Mike says that his tuning is DADFAD...just curious why you're using a different tuning to learn the tune...
quote:
Originally posted by Grizz
Well two day ago I changed my 71-K Oahu to C#m C# - F# - B – E – G# - C# One reason is it has a Baggs M-1 and I am working on Mike de Velta's "Doorstep to Your Heart" .
OK I contacted Mike directly and he gave me the tuning I said. I am not using a different tuning, I have no idea why he posted that on YouTube. I checked his playing with my Korg tuner and it is in fact C#. Tune your guitar to DADFAD and see if it works. i did and it doesn't. I have had several conversations with Mike and i will ask him again and post his reply.
I think I had an out of body experience listening to Ed play Homage.
I know i did. The first time i heard Ed play that i thought to myself, after all these years of listening to everything and I mean everything under the sun, there had not been anything that touched my heart and soul to the extent that did. It was the day my sojourn for a Wesseiborn began. I said to myself it I do anything before i leave this earth I have to learn to play that song. I play it daily.
Hey Dane, Mike got back with me. What a guy. He invited me to his studio a while back. Only one problem, he lives in New Zealand. If i had the money i would have already been there and from what i seen maybe not came back.
Hi Mike,
Thanks for keeping in touch and working so hard on this track. Sorry to lead you astray with the tuning. Yes you are right it is C#m. When I play live I use DADFAD.
I must admit, it gets confusing using sharps and flats but if you tune down DADFAD half a step you'll be good. So C# G# C# E G# C# (Low to High) If you are confused tune to DADFAD first so you can hear the sound.
Mate, if your friend is keen to TAB, I'd be more than happy. In fact I'll post a link to my website for his efforts, I imagine it will be pretty difficult with lots of "lines" indicating slides.
Hope that helps my friend.
May God bless you too and open our ears to all that is beautiful.
Notice the "frets" under his sixth string. Ed likes to fret his sixth with his pinky. Listen to the comment at the end. Pretty much sums up what people think about Ed. If you have not been there visit his web site, it has a forum area and Ed is there quite a bit. It's on the order of the JDBB
BTW it takes a little while for the video to start. Watch this full screen.
Cool stuff this alternate tunings. I havent read every reply to this topic but DADGAD is a winner. On my Amistar I dont go below E with standard .17-.56 strings due to me playing extremely sharp on this beast. I push to hard and sharpen the strings and cant stop the bad habit I guess. With the Harlow I can tune to C (Ferrell Stowe's tuning) and for some reason not have the tuning issue. Got to be careful though down on #6 string which hangs like a limp piece of spaghetti. I have a video of our group playing New Found Roads "Try To Be" with the Amistar tuned to D capoed to E and when my solo turn comes around I played so friggin sharp(out of tune) that it was pityful. Love this RH site!!
Dave, you have no idea how great it is to have you here. I have always left the Harlow in G but who knows. The Wessie and one Oahu stays in D, one in C#m and the Bronson is now in B. Mama Bear has one Ohau in D and one in C9. I use the one in C9 more that she does.
Since I play a lot of Hawaiian and western swing, I keep my resonator guitars in C6/Bb - from bottom: Bb [C] E G A C E [G], where the bracketed notes are for the 8 string guitars. 6th tunings are very handy, since I, IV and V chords are right around the I chord fret. btw, Sol Ho'opi'i's C#min7 tunng is really an E6.
I couldn't agree more. I have played more in open D than in standard G tuning for a while. Something about the depth, and personally I can create more creatively in that tuning.
As a realitive newbee to the wild world of the Reso-Guitar, I have yet to try picking in an open "D" tuning. Before I enter yet another strange dimention is this the correct tuning for open D: D A D F# A D
Open D is wonderful. First thing I learned (and really the only thing) was A Monkey Let the Hogs Out by Jerry Douglas. Fun to experiment with that tuning...and it makes ANY reso sound great. :)
quote:OMG what wonderful music! I've wanted a Weissenborn for a long time. Can you suggest a good one that won't break the bank? Originally posted by Grizz
Steve Dawson uses a variation of C as well. C - G - C - G - C - D
Steinar Gergertson uses a D variant D - A - D - F# - A - C# and he quite often uses this C variant C - G - C - G - C - E Note: Power chord potential and 3rd of chord on first string
And let us not forget my inspiration Ed Gerhard who tunes down a step and a half from D. IMO the best Weissenborn player on the planet. Listen to the Bass line, it goes right to the heart and soul. If you doesn't for you than last rites are in order.
What kind of bar is he using? It looks like pull-offs might be quite tough...
From Ed's website:
"On the Weissenborn I use a Shubb/Pearse SP2. I usually start each tour with a brand new one, as they can get a little scratchy after awhile. """"""
It looks like the SP2 is shaped a little differently at both ends, one end rounded and one more sharp. I don't think Ed's style of playing uses a lot of pull-offs. Here's a video of Pete Grant demonstrating the SP2.
Feeds
I Love Open D Tuning!
The Wessie and one Oahu stays in D, one in C#m and the Bronson is now in B. Mama Bear has one Ohau in D and one in C9. I use the one in C9 more that she does.
to the hangout. You are absolutely correct on the tuning.
