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Harmonic Tuning (Page 2)
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The Steel Guitar Forum
Pedal Steel Archive
Harmonic Tuning (Page 2)
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| This topic is 2 pages long: 1 2 This topic was originally posted in this forum: Pedal Steel |
| Author | Topic: Harmonic Tuning |
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Bobby Lee Sysop Posts: 14849 |
posted 30 May 2001 09:05 AM
I posted this in another thread, but I think some dedicated discussion about it would be useful. quote: |
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Bobby Lee Sysop Posts: 14849 |
posted 30 May 2001 09:15 AM
The harmonic tuning method is basically "just intonation on the open strings". Some people may use different harmonics than the ones I listed, but the basic method is the most common way of tuning by ear. The real pros like Lloyd Green and Paul Franklin tune the beats out by ear with their bar on the strings. It's harder to hear the beats that way, but those guys have really big ears! Do you have different harmonics that you tune to? If so, post them here. You might get better results than I do. ------------------ |
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Jim Smith Member Posts: 6399 |
posted 30 May 2001 11:16 AM
I tune the 2nd string 5th (D#) fret harmonic to the 3rd string (G#) 7th fret harmonic, I think. I don't have my guitar at work.  |
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Bobby Lee Sysop Posts: 14849 |
posted 30 May 2001 04:01 PM
That sounds right to me. I'll try it when I get home toneight. |
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Ricky Davis Moderator Posts: 6522 |
posted 30 May 2001 11:13 PM
I tune my 3rd string(G#)on the 7th string harmonic> to the 5th string(B)on the 9th string harmonic. I hear these harmonics easier that that 4th fret. Ricky |
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Bill Hankey Member Posts: 1680 |
posted 31 May 2001 06:16 AM
B0b, I am bothered by the inconsistencies and variables, that occur whenever the bar is placed upon the strings. All special tunings become not so special, due to the pressure, or reaction of the bar's tendency to raise the pitch of a given string, or strings, while exerting even a small amount of downward tension. How one must go about trying to overcome the pitch differentiability, may or may not be necessary. The basic beauty of tones produced by a player of the pedal steel guitar, are brought about by effecting two full tones, one up, and one down. I'm aware of the 1 & 1/2 tone movement, but to think about the fact that pedal steel guitars are made for the purpose of altering pitch changes, suggests that turnng a liability into an asset may be the next step in dealing with the quandary. |
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Bobby Lee Sysop Posts: 14849 |
posted 31 May 2001 08:11 AM
As I said, Bill, the harmonic method is a way of tuning your open strings to just intonation. For most players, this is good enough. If your strings are reasonably fresh, all of your harmony intervals up and down the neck will be within a few cents of what they are on the open strings. Ultimately, control of pitch lies in the hands of the player. A full-step raise moves the same number of cents under the bar as it does at the nut, as far as I can tell. If your strings have similar tensions, bar pressure will not have much effect on on the tuning of intervals under the bar. Where you place the bar will determine whether you are playing in tune or not. ------------------ |
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John Sims Member Posts: 342 |
posted 01 June 2001 07:09 AM
Thanks Bobby...I printed this out and will try it. I have been "experimenting" with different tuning techniques, and now I am thoroughly confused and out of tune! ------------------ John Steelin' is a way of life! My PSG website-Carter SD-12-U, 8p/5k, Nashville 1000 |
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Joey Ace Sysop Posts: 7232 |
posted 05 June 2001 08:54 AM
Great Thread! I use the method posted by b0b with four exceptions. The first was already submitted by Jim: quote: The next two replace b0b's: quote: Instead I: (To my ears, chimes sounding together blend better than a chime with an open string.) and finally, instead of: quote: I tune the 4th string lower (E to D#) so that the 4th string 5th fret harmonic matches the 3rd string 7th fret harmonic.
[This message was edited by Joey Ace on 05 June 2001 at 11:08 AM.] |
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