The British Steelies Society

Hi,

I started learning C6 last week, and I'm finding it quite difficult.

Does anyone have advice on a simple way to play a I, IV, V, V7 progression without going up and down the neck too much? or any other tips?

I want to play jazz on the C6, and while single note melodies and improvisation seem quite straightforward, chords and the changes on the pedals are very confusing.

Cheers

Zak

I guess it depends what stage you are at?? , I would dearly love to be able to play Jazz on the C6th But, it ain't never gonna happen! but if you are a complete beginner ? I did this about 10 years ago and it may be of some basic help..........

Hi Zak, whereabouts are you based?

Thanks John. That video looks very helpful, I'll get learning that this evening.
I am a complete beginner at C6, although more intermediate at E9, and I do have a good understanding of music theory and chord structure etc.. So i'm hoping that once I've got the basics down, then I can make some good progress.

Hi Tony, I'm in Sheffield.

If you fancy the trip to Thornton Watlass on October 27th (Sunday from mid-day, some will be there from about 11.30am) you can meet up with a few of us that play C6th and A6th, pedal and non-pedal. Me (C6th pedal), Rod King (A6th non-pedal) Basil Henriques (everything!) Keith Glendenning (C6th non-pedal) plus a few more guys. It could be a valuable experience for you. We have a "Round Robin" where each plays the tune, then it passes on to the next player - this time it's 'Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain', Keith has produced a BIAB file for backing, if you are interested let me have your email add (send in a PM) I can pass it to Keith to put you on the emailing list for future dates and BIAB files.
My advice would be to learn to play the C6th tuning without pedals at first and then add pedals bit by bit as you find a need for a particular note not in the basic tuning. Also you can learn a lot about "6th" tunings from plank players!
Some travel quite long distances to be here for these meetings so Sheffield is not so far after all
Thornton Watlass is between Bedale and Masham, about 5 miles East off A1, junction 51 we meet in the Buck Inn - HG4 4AH.

Hi Zak-

You may find this C6 Essentials course useful if you already have some E9 skills: https://www.mmmlearn.com/courses/c6-essentials-with-paul-franklin

And this video:

Interesting and no doubt helpful but is this not under copyright?

Yes...our copyright.

It's a free video of part of Paul's clinic in Texas on our YouTube channel.

Hi Modern Music Masters,

Thank you. I'm certain I could learn a lot from PF's course!

RIght now, I think understand the basics. I know quite a few chord grips and what the pedals and my levers do. I think I mostly just need to dedcate more time to practicing C6, and resist the urge to spend all my practice time trying to copy Ralph Mooney licks on the E9 haha.