Learning the Lap Steel Fingerboard

8/11/2019 Learning the Lap Steel Fingerboard

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Curt ShellerPublications2050 Orlando Rd.

Suite 101Pottstown, PA 19464-2348

www.curtsheller.com

books.curtsheller.com

Le a rn i n g t he

Lap Ste e lF ingerboar dby Curt Sheller

C6 TuningC E G A C E

Its not as hard asyou think.


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Copyright 2012 by Curt Sheller, Curt Sheller Publications

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,

recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the

publisher. For information, contact Curt Sheller Publications.

Curt Sheller Publications

2050 Orlando Rd., Suite 101Pottstown, PA 19464-2348

International Standard Book Number (ISBN)

ISBN 10: 1-60321-048-2

ISBN 13: 978-1-60321-048-5


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3Introduction

Learning the Lap Steel Guitar Fingerboard

Introduction

IntroductionMemorizing the notes of the six string lap steelguitar ngerboard is not as hard as one would think.Although there doesnt seem to be any pattern andthe same letter can be found on every string. Thereis a systematic approach that can be used to helpremember the notes.

The Lap steel guitar is not tuned in standard guitartuning (E-A-D-G-B-E, low to high). Rather, it isusually tuned to an open chord, often an extendedchord like a 6th, 7th, or 9th.

A common tuning for steel players is the C6 tuning.There is no standard C6 tuning; one popular tuningis C E G A C E, the focus of this book. The C6 tuningactually produces a C major chord on the lowerthree strings and an A minor chord on the upper,three strings. For the music theory astute this a

major chord and its relative minor chord.


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4 Introduction


C6 TuningFinally, really learning the names of the notes ofthe ngerboard is a liberating musical moment. Amajor breakthrough in most players learning andenjoyment of the lap steel guitar.

Knowing the names of the notes is separate from

learning to read standard music notation.

Knowing the notes of the ngerboard is soimportant that this book is dedicated to that goal.


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5Learning the Frets


C6 TuningC6 tuning for lap steel guitar is C E G A C E.

&

C E G A C E


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6 Learning the Frets


Key Frets

open C E G A C E

In addition to the open strings, which most lap steelguitar players seem to remember, frets (5) and (7)have no sharp or at notes.

fret (5) E Ab B Db E Ab

fret (7) F A C D F A

From these key fretsother frets can be derived.

Frets (1), (4), (6) and (8) can be referenced relativeto the open strings, fret (5) and fret (7) by atting orsharping the notes.


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When learning the tuning of any fretted instrument

you next look for frets that have only one sharp. Inthis C6 tuning there are no frets with only one sharp.

Secondary FretsFrets (2) and (10) have two sharps each.

fret (2) D F# A B D F#

*fret (10)Bb D F G Bb D

Frets (1) and (3) can be referenced relative to fret (2)by atting or sharping notes.

fret (1) Db F Ab Bb Db F

fret (2) D F# A B D F#

fret (3) Eb G Bb C Eb G

* Technically this fret (10) is A# Cx E# G Bb D. The more common

enharmonic equivalents, chord spellings will be shown

for simplicity for the rest of the frets.


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9Learning the Frets


Frets (9) and (11) can be referenced relative to fret

(10) by atting or sharping the notes.

fret (9) A C# E F# A C#

fret (10)Bb D F G Bb D

fret (11) B D# F# G# B D#

From the open strings and four key and secondaryfrets the whole lap steel guitar ngerboardmemorized. That is every fret and note of thengerboard in C6 tuning. A lot easier with a system.

Youre never more than one fret away from knowingthe name of any note on the ngerboard.

Review the frets ascending and descending, withsharps, with ats, with mixed sharps and ats.Know the ngerboard inside and out.

For C6 tuning its helpful to know the notes of yourmajor and minor triads.


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Chords

With C6 tuning containing a major triad on thelower, bottom three strings and its relative minortriad on the upper, higher three strings. Learningyour major and minor triads in all 15 keys would bereally helpful for remembering the notes of the neck.

MajorC C E GG G B DD D F# A

A A C# EE E G# B

B B D# F#F# F# A# C#C# C# E# G#F F A CBb Bb D F

Eb Eb G Bb

Ab Ab C EbDb Db F AbGb Gb Bb DbCb Cb Eb Gb

MajorAm A C EEm E G BBm B D F#F#m F# A# C#C#m C# E G#

G#m G# B D#D#m D# F# A#A#m A# C# E#Dm D F AGm G Bb DCm C Eb G

Fm F Ab CBbm Bb Db FEbm Eb Gb BbAbm Ab Cb Eb


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11Learning the Frets


Tips For Remembering the Fingerboard

A few tips for remember the names of the notes ofthe lap steel guitar ngerboard and the notes of themajor and minor triads.

The namesof the fretson strings sixand two arethe same.Strings ve and one are alsothe same. So in reality you only have to learn fourstrings.

All A chords, whether major or minor, sharp or atwill always be some form of the letters A, C and E.Am(A C E), Abm(Ab Cb Eb), A#m(A # C# E#), A(A C# A), Ab(Ab C Eb).

53 2 1

64

STRING

CE G A C E

open


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Whether practicing, performing, reading or

improvising, no matter what style you are playing.ALWAYS know the notes you are playing. This willmake the notes of the lap steel guitar in C6 tuningreexive and second nature.


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14 Enharmonic Equivalents


Flats to Sharps

Abis the same pitch asG#

Bbis the same pitch asA#

Cbis the same pitch asB

Dbis the same pitch asC#

Ebis the same pitch asD#

Fbis the same pitch asE

Gbis the same pitch asF#

S Double sharps () and double ats () arepossible if sticking with correct chord spelling

but not needed for initially learning thengerboard.


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15

Learning the Lap Steel Guitar FingerboardSharp and Natural Notes

Sharp & Natural Notes

5 3 2 16 4STRING

Frets

C E G A C E

C# F G# A# C# FD F# A B D F#

D# G A# C D# GE G# B C# E G#F A C D F A

F# A# C# D# F# A#

G B D E G B

G# C D# F G# CA C# E F# A C#A# D F G A# DB D# F# G# B D#

open

1

2

34

5

6

78

9

10

11

12 same as open strings one octave higher


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16 Flat & Natural Notes


Flat and Natural Notes

5 3 2 16 4STRING

Frets

C E G A C E

Db F Ab Bb Db FD Gb A B D Gb

Eb G Bb C Eb GE Ab B Db E AbF A C D F A

Gb Bb Db Eb Gb Bb

A B D E A B

Ab C Eb F Ab CA Db E Gb A DbBb D F G Bb DB Eb Gb Ab B Eb

open

1

2

34

5

6

78

9

10

11

12 same as open strings one octave higher

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Learning the Lap Steel Fingerboard