I've been keeping my middle finger of the bar hand anchored on those to strings to mute the "bar crashing" and other noise when tyring to play it up to speed.

The lick kind of goes like this (hopping back and forth between the 1st and second string, at the first fret and open fret):

1. 1st string, 1st fret
2. 1st string, open
3. 2nd string, 1st fret

This triplet repeats over and over at the fast tempo. 1,2,3--1,2,3--1,2,3--1,2,3...and so forth.

Normally, I try to only use the thumb pick when playing single notes, but for this I've been using the index finger and thumb.

I hope that explains it...I'm not sure how to post in a tabulature format.

Can anyone give me any technique pointers with this song?

Thanks!

- You play it in a closed postition without any open strings.

- If, for example, you're playing the lick up at the 14th fret then the sequence is: 1) 1st string, 14th fret, middle finger, 2) 1st string, 13th fret, index finger, 3) 2nd string 14th fret, thumb.

- The real trick to getting it to sound smooth its to keep you left hand continuously moving in a counterclockwise circle. You have to get your left hand synchronized so you're over the right fret at the right time.

You definitely need to use a round-nosed steel rather than a Stevens-style steel.

I assume the Sol Hoopii 12th Street Rag you're talking about is the 1927 recording that's the 1st track of the Sol Hoopii Vol 1 compilation from Rounder. I could be completely wrong, but I think that that version is in the key of E (the triplet notes are E, D#, C#), the recording is a little sharp and he's using a G tuning. At the begining of the tune he's playing the lick at the 2nd fret. The reason I think he's playing a G tuning is because about 17 seconds into the tune he ends the A part by simultaneously playing a D and D# (kind of a "honking" sound). I think he's playing the open D on the 1st string and the D# on the 2nd string, 4th fret.

It's interesing, I dug up a couple of other old Hawaiian guitar recordings of 12th Street Rag by Rodney Rodgers and David Burrows. They both play the lick way up the neck where it's a lot easier.

[This message was edited by Gary Anwyl on 23 March 2004 at 12:27 AM.]

If you're not an HSGA member this is a perfect opportunity to sign up. www.hsga.org

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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website

Some parts of his electric recordings would lead one to believe that his top three strings were E C# B. (as the E note in the main first lick of 12th St, Rag is NOT an open string... he must have played the run at the 4th and third frets on the 2nd and 3rd strings.) although whatever he did live could have been different.
The 7 string guitar theory comes from the fact the fact that although he played the "Low" section live, on the record it was in OCTAVES. Then figure this, if string 6 was a low "E" that makes strings 2 and 3 a C# and a G#. This is NOT the case.
You could even take the speculation one or two stages further and MAYBE suggest that the recordings COULD have been made using TWO guitars....Remember that in those days, Top Pro Players jealously guarded their tunings and "Tricks" and would also have at their disposal the very latest in developments. ( When did Rick introduce a 7 string, and what year did Sol record his famous electric sessions ? )
Bruce Clarke's restoration work on the "Radio Sol" CD is a revelation...I have heard players emulating Sol's version of 12th St. Rag on a 6 string, but, using an "Open" first string in the run...Sol also MAY have done this "Live" but most certainly NOT on the record.
Baz www.waikiki-islanders.com

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quote:

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Steel players do it without fretting

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http://www.waikiki-islanders.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

I use the C# minor tuning:

Thanks

To answer Jay's question about an mp3, the Rounder site has a clip of the first sixty seconds of 1927 "Twelfth Street Rag" here: http://www.rounder.com/index.php?id=album.php&catalog_id=5672

Does anyone have an .mp3 of this song?

You can email it to me directly at: jayster@scaryoak.com

Thanks!!!

Lot's of cool stuff on the HSGA website.

------------------
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website

[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 22 October 2004 at 06:27 AM.]

quote:

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The tune is in F. That should clear up alot for you. C#m is the right tuning.

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Whoah... Yeah. I just ran to my CD player after reading this and checked it against the piano. It's sort of right in between E & F, and I just guessed he would play it in E because the tuning is E6... but wow. You're right Mike this does clear up a whole lot. Thanks, man! I'm glad I asked, before I got too far in!

Using A = 440 Hz and the Equal-Tempered Scale:

E4 = 329.63 Hz (105 cm wavelength).

F4 = 349.23 Hz (98.8 cm wavelength).

Too fast for me ... anyway

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My wife and I don't think alike. She donates money to the homeless and I donate money to the topless! ... R. Dangerfield

[This message was edited by Tim Tweedale on 26 October 2004 at 12:10 PM.]

Now were at about ... 900 Hz ...

Nope ... ya need two full sets of "choppers" to chew Angus ... and most folks 'round here don't even have one ...

We rely on "shine" for substanance ...

In spite of this recording's shortcomings (and there are many), I'm posting my version of Sol's 1920s era recording:
http://members.cox.net/priorcraig/Personal/12th%20Street%20Rag.mp3

I find that it lays out nicely in A major tuning (lo to hi: A C# E A C# E). I acknowledge that this may not have been the tuning Sol used... but I think you'll find it works quite nicely for this classic.

My version is a little more laid-back, more "back porch" so to speak, than Sol's. And certainly it's less polished. But that enables everyone to hear the "phrasology"... and this is essential Hoopii! There are so many cool little licks in this tune: it's pure treasure trove for lap steel guitarists.

I'm also providing a tab for those who are interested:

http://members.cox.net/swingbros/12th%20Street%20Rag.pdf

Because I'm assuming that most acoustic lap steelers "park it" in standard Dobro tuning (lo to hi: G B D G B D), that's how I've written it. However, as I mentioned, I am playing it in A major tuning.

Please note that A major tuning is only a whole step above Dobro tuning. Thus, you can play the tune as written... same intervals, same positionings.