C6..... WHEN?!

[bradsteel]

Hello everybody!

Right, having only played PSG for 9 months, this may seem like a silly question.

However, i'm just wondering when you think it'd be wise to delve into the world of the C6 tuning? If ever!!! I of course have S**T LOADS of stuff yet to learn on the E9th, which at moment seems like it'll take me the rest of my life. I find it inconceivable how people can play both tunings - complicating things further! I have no idea about C6, and won't do for a long time probably. Do the pedals and levers change the same strings? What?! God knows.

I'd love to be able to play the two of them at some point. Just wondering when I should give it a shot. I don't want to overload myself learning both of them at the moment!

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

Brad, I used mine as an armrest for the first 20 years! even made up a velvet covered cover for it so it was like a SD 10

[bradsteel]

Haha! Really?

It's just soul destroying knowing I'll have to start from scratch again at some point!

Does being able to play E9 competently help you at all on C6? If so, I won't be as worried haha!

[James Crowbear]

you've got a lifetime of work with E9 as it is
learning C6 is another lifetime as well
some have managed to do both in one
that's really up to you considering how much time you have left.... lol
i got my first D10 12 years ago at 50 & learned C6 from day 1 w: Buddy Emmons Basic C6 course
which imo is a damn good one
then i got as many of his tabs as possible since he's quite proficient on C6
there is a similarity between E9 & C6
C6 was the traditional tuning & E9 came later keeping certain, not all, C6 changes to it
obviously the register is different between E9 ( higher ) & C6 ( lower )
C6 is a great tuning for Jazz : maj 7, maj 6, maj 9, Blues, Western Swing & more
pedal 6 on C6 is similar to pedal B on E9
pedal 7 on C6 is similar to pedal A on E9
there's more too
it all depends what kind of Musik you want to play Brad
& how much time you have to devote yourself to it
if you look closely, C6 is dying out - damn shame imo
many of the top steelers do play C6 & use it quite often
what i have heard them play made me want to learn C6
i must admit i've had a ball w: it - it's a great & rich tuning
more so than E9 imo ( which does'nt mean E9 does'nt have it's own thing going )
last but not least i find it's a waste of money by having a D10 & not playing C6
you're better off getting an SD10 w: a pad
some will recommend a Universal 12 tuning
two neck are better than one imo
the 2 xtra strings on a U12 can be a pain in the butt & one does'nt use them that often
10 strings are plenty as it is whether you pick E9, C6 or both !
Good luck buddy !
better late than never imo

[bradsteel]

Hi James!

Thank you for the useful stuff mate!! I'm only 19 so I strongly hope I have a few years left in me yet haha! But it seems that the household (Steel household!!!) names we're placed on a Steel when they were a toddler! I fully accept that I'm never going to be at that standard, but I do aspire to be a 'competent player' on both necks. C6 sounds lovely with the right music. It's them heavy strings, I love the sound of them!

When do you think I should be looking at picking it up mate?

[andrew marson]

Hi Brad, I only started playing psg aged 50 so I reckon I wasted a good 35 years before taking it up . I've now been playing for four years and have only just started mucking about on the C6 neck so there is another four years gone! My advice for what it's worth is to jump in with both feet, both hands, as many knees as you can muster and go for it .Cheers, Andy.

[Tony Russell Davis]

Hi Brad. I wrote a longish post yesterday but held back to finish it today. However CB got there first and you have the benefit of his thoughts above (very similar to mine although we differ in our choice for first string - I have a G and Crowbear has a D). So I'll not repeat those points but add this.
My advice FWIW is, first try to approach C6th as a "non-pedal" tuning - E9th is a pedal tuning with some bar movement, C6th is a "straight" tuning with pedals - is my take on them. Learn to push the bar around to get tunes, or snatches of tunes, before you jump onto pedals. The way they alter the tuning is not so easy to assimilate as it is on E9th. Actually, you'll find the C - B kl is your first best friend when you do start messing with the changes.
I hope you'll find help on your side of the Pennines, but if you like, you're welcome to come over here too and we can work through some exercises to get you thinking in 6ths.
Regards, Tony.

[Tony Russell Davis]

One other thing I remembered (South Shields Country Jamboree in 1980's) that answers one of CB's points on the "waste of a neck" issue.
I was once told by somebody - and he was serious!!! - that the guy thought the back neck was tuned the same as the front ---------- IN CASE YOU BROKE A STRING
Tony
PS - actually, the laugh ended up on me 'cos I did - and right in the middle of "Tom Cattin" instrumental

[henry]

I've been learning C6 for the last year after 4 years of E9.. really enjoying it. jazzy chords, close (interval-wise) strings for a different style of single not playing.

I've been learning it on a Uni which I think is making it harder. I have to lower my Es as well as pressing the uni pedals, some of the grips on the top are pretty awkward cos of the chromatic strings

two necks better than one? Jury's out as far as I'm concerned
- The fact that it's all on one neck is a definite advantage
- The fact that you have all the changes from E9 and C6 means there are more changes you wouldn't have in either of the single necks (although you wont get all the changes from extended copedents).

CB why dont you use the bottom two strings on a Uni if you would on C6?

In response the original post:
There's no time like the present - the sooner you get into C6 the longer the ideas will be floating round your brain
I cant think of anything I've learned on the pedal steel that hasnt' fed back into my E9 playing. If you start playing C6 single note stuff you are sure to find yourself doing it more on E9 neck.
Learning C6 has required more knowledge of music theory than E9

just my 2c

[bradsteel]

Thanks for all the help guys!

I'm on the lookout for a new Steel (pro model), if I happen to come across a D10, I'll probably begin to have a tinker about with the C6. However, the odds are, i'll be getting a S10, as they appear to be cheaper mostly!

I'll keep you all updated!

Thanks again chaps.