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Author
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Topic: GuitarMap - A free computer program for the Steel Guitarist
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Karlis Abolins
Member From: Burien, WA, USA
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posted 31 May 2002 04:25 PM
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A free computer program to help you figure out your guitar.I came back to the pedal steel guitar this year. I sold my last steel in the mid 80's. Since coming back I have been wrestling with what I want a steel guitar to be as far as pedals and strings. I found a lot of posts on this forum that have been very helpful but none really answered the questions I had. I decided to analyze the steel guitar in the same way that I have been analyzing business methods since the late 60's. I started laying out strings and scales and rearranging them to make sense out of it. I found that rearranging the strings and pedals on paper to be frustrating. I then tried out a commercial program that is available. It helped some but was not really designed to do what i needed. I then decided to write a program to help me.
I finished the program recently and want to share what I have so far with other steel guitarists. The program displays notes or scale numbers for scales or chords. It does not create tablature. In using the program I have discovered some fundamental things about the layout of the E9th guitar. I have also found it very easy to do what-if kinds of scenarios with new or changed pedals and strings.
I have decided to post the program for a limited time. I want to allow people who are interested to experiment with it but I do not want to get into support issues or have it become generally available on the internet. Please use the program if you wish. I make no claims about its usability.
http://home.comcast.net/~k.abolins/guitarmap.html Karlis Abolins updated with new location of web page[This message was edited by Karlis Abolins on 30 June 2003 at 06:29 AM.] |
Andy Greatrix
Member From: Edmonton Alberta
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posted 31 May 2002 05:25 PM
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This looks very interesting. Thanks for posting it.I am going to try and run a none peddle steel tuning through it to see what will happen, and well as my peddle steel co-pendent. Also, put Bobbe seymour's 2 knee peddle system through it as well. I can't wait to try it. Thanks again. |
Karlis Abolins
Member From: Burien, WA, USA
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posted 03 June 2002 10:45 AM
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I have received several e-mails asking me about the program. I want to clear up any questions you may have.1. The program is free. I developed it and have no desire to market the program.
2. The program is fully functional. It has no restrictions or time limit.
3. The program modifies the registry for the local user in that it saves the last directory you used to save layout files in so that you don't have to find it next time.
4. The program allows you to put in your guitar's copedant for up to 14 strings and 22 pedals.
5. The program displays the scales and chords for the key you have selected. You can select either notes or scale numbers for the display.
6. The program shows the changes to the notes as you push the pedals and knee levers. I hope that these answers fit your questions. Karlis Abolins |
Roy Thomson
Member From: Wolfville, Nova Scotia,Canada
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posted 03 June 2002 12:31 PM
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I would still like to see a printout of
a song. How it would look using the scale
numbers/musical notation. Do you have something Karlis that you could post?
I am going to try to download again as there
were problems the first time; all of which were related to me. |
Larry Bell
Member From: Englewood, Florida
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posted 03 June 2002 12:43 PM
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Roy,
You may be missing the point of the software. It has nothing to do with songs. It analyzes the open tuning, pedal changes, and combinations by comparing to a list of chords and scales.Hope this helps explain. Thanks again, Karlis -- I find this VERY useful -- I used to do this stuff on paper and using Excel but the program does it and allows me to save it. ------------------
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Emmons D-10 9x9, 1971 Dobro |
Roy Thomson
Member From: Wolfville, Nova Scotia,Canada
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posted 03 June 2002 01:00 PM
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Larry,
ClicTab has already done that! Many moons ago.
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Larry Bell
Member From: Englewood, Florida
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posted 03 June 2002 01:04 PM
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For free? |
Roy Thomson
Member From: Wolfville, Nova Scotia,Canada
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posted 03 June 2002 01:45 PM
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No, there's a fee but you get much much more in the deal.
This started off as an alternative to tablature. Now you indicate it is something different and more restricted.
My apologies.
Roy T. |
Karlis Abolins
Member From: Burien, WA, USA
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posted 03 June 2002 02:03 PM
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Roy, I am sorry that you misunderstood the purpose of this program. I am still very much interested in an alternative/enhancement to tablature but this program doesn't do this yet. I have stabilized the first version so that it works reliable. I am now starting to work on a way to go from the note map to either tablature or something else. One of the ideas I am toying with is the capability to enter tablature and a copedant, save the underlying musical representation and call the song back up with a different copedant. It would require some knowledge of the new copedant to choose an appropriate arrangement so that it would work on the new copedant. Roy, I think this is what you and I were discussing in the "alternative to tablature thread" a couple of weeks ago. That is still my goal. It may be more than I can accomplish but I don't quit easilly.Karlis Abolins |
Kurt Graber
Member From: Wichita, KS, USA
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posted 03 June 2002 02:22 PM
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Karlis, Many thanks and you have an excellent program. I used this program and you're right, it does eliminate a lot of paper work hassle. It's great that you are offering this for free. Great contribution to the forum. |
Roy Thomson
Member From: Wolfville, Nova Scotia,Canada
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posted 03 June 2002 03:29 PM
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Karlis, my best wishes are with you.
Go for it!
Again my apologies. |
Sonny Jenkins
Member From: New Braunfels, Tx. 78130
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posted 08 June 2002 09:58 AM
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This looks like something that would be very helpful to someone like myself who has to SEE it and let it sink in but,,,,,,I CAN"T GET IT TO WORK,,,,,,,HEEEELLLLPPP! |
CrowBear Schmitt
Member From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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posted 08 June 2002 05:15 PM
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Karlis, GuitarMap is a NeetaRoonie !
i got it set up and runnin'in no time.
settin' a copedent is a breeze, then choose a chord or a scale then select pedals or knees and gadzooks ! 
it's all there.
Thanx a bunch !
pedal pusher eh ?
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Jim Cohen
Member From: Philadelphia, PA
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posted 08 June 2002 06:22 PM
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Thanks, Karlis. I may be being a bit dense tonite, but what do the various colors signify? Usually, they're green but sometimes yellow and/or red on the notes, too. ??
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Karlis Abolins
Member From: Burien, WA, USA
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posted 08 June 2002 10:34 PM
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Jim, When you are looking for chords, green means all of the notes in the chord are at the same fret. Yellow means that there is one note missing from the chord (you may have the 1 3 5 but not the 7 for a 7th chord). Red means you have two notes missing from the chord (you may have the 1 3 5 but not the 7 and 9 for a 9th chord). It doesn't tell you which notes are missing but you can look at the chord notes at the top to see which notes are missing.Karlis |
Bob Collins
Member From: Hendersonville, TN, USA
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posted 13 June 2002 03:50 PM
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Karlis,
Thanks for making this available to everyone! I finally had a chance to test it out today and it is really impressive. It is a super tool for those like me who are not pro steel players (and who own a "second hand" guitar that was set up custom for someone who just had to be a little different). I will be double clicking that icon often! Thank you for your time and the work you put into this! |
Allen
Member From: Littleton, CO USA
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posted 16 June 2002 07:56 PM
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Karlis,
I have been playing around with the program for a few days. For a newbie (2years)on the psg, like myself, this tool is great!
Thanks for making my psg life a little simpler.
Allen------------------
Allen Harry
Mullen D-10, 8 & 6
Nashville 1000
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Steve Feldman
Member From: Millbury, MA USA
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posted 17 June 2002 05:41 AM
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Karlis - Question: Can you input multiple pulls (half-stops, etc.) for a given knee lever?Nice program, btw. |
Karlis Abolins
Member From: Burien, WA, USA
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posted 17 June 2002 06:16 AM
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Steve, You can indeed put half stops on a string. Create a pedal and call it HLL instead of LKL. Give it a half step (+ or -) raise. It looks like an added pedal but it will give you the ability to see the chord positions gebnerated by the half pedal.Karlis |
Karlis Abolins
Member From: Burien, WA, USA
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posted 19 June 2002 07:08 PM
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Bump |
Martin Abend
Member From:
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posted 20 June 2002 08:23 AM
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Seems like a great program, thanks a lot for making it available to the public for free.The bad thing is.... ...if have a mac  ------------------
martin abend Pedal-Steel in Germany
s-10 sierra crown gearless 3 x4 | Regal RD45 | fender hotrod deluxe |
Martin Abend
Member From:
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posted 20 June 2002 08:31 AM
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Seems like a great program, thanks a lot for making it available to the public for free.The bad thing is.... ...if have a mac ------------------
martin abend Pedal-Steel in Germany
s-10 sierra crown gearless 3 x4 | Regal RD45 | fender hotrod deluxe |
Fred Shannon
Member From: Rocking "S" Ranch, Comancheria, Texas
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posted 08 December 2003 08:47 PM
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I'm pulling Karlis' computerized guitar map back up because there are probably several new folks on the forum that don't know of it's existence. I have found Karlis' efforts expended on this program have saved me an immense amount of time when teaching new students. Too, if you are one to experiment with new tunings, this is an invaluable tool. It is user friendly and I've taken the time to check out the links Karlis posted originally and they all still work magnificently. I wish something like this had been available for me when I was learning. Of course they would have had to put it on an 'abacus', computers weren't in every household. Heck, I don't know if they even existed.Karlis, thanks for the efforts and guys like you, b0b, and so many others who are willing to share, is the ingredient that makes this the best forum I've ever had the pleasure of participating.   ------------------
The spirit be with you!
If it aint got a steel, it aint real |
CrowBear Schmitt
Member From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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posted 09 December 2003 12:17 AM
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Good Move Fred |
Michael Lewis
Member From: Coral Springs, Florida, USA
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posted 09 December 2003 04:06 AM
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Karlis,
Thank you for your efforts. They are appreciated greatly! I'm sure I'll be looking forward to any upgrades you're working on!
Happy Holidays,
Mike
'72 Emmons D10 |
Samuel E. White
Member From: Greeneville TN.
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posted 09 December 2003 06:05 AM
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I copyed it on my printer . It does not make any sence to me . I do not know what it is or what it is supose to do. By the looks I will never be able to learn to play my steel with this. I'll stick to the tab and by ear. Thanks
Sam White
IF IT SOUNDS GOOD PLAY IT |
Fred Shannon
Member From: Rocking "S" Ranch, Comancheria, Texas
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posted 09 December 2003 06:17 AM
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Samuel W. if you'll go to the website again, and read the instructions from Karlis and follow them step by step I think that this program will help you in chord recognition very much. I'll be glad to help via email if I can. Happy Holidays. Fred ------------------
The spirit be with you!
If it aint got a steel, it aint real |
Ben Slaughter
Member From: Madera, California
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posted 09 December 2003 09:59 AM
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WAY, WAY COOL!!------------------
Ben
Zum D10, NV400, POD, G&L Guitars, etc, etc. |
Steve Alonzo Walker
Member From: Spartanburg,S.C. USA
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posted 09 December 2003 10:50 AM
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I Do Not Understand How To Start This Program. It Says To Go To File\Open But What Do I Look For Then?
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Ray Minich
Member From: Limestone, New York, USA
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posted 09 December 2003 12:29 PM
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Karlis, just for my own edification, what programming environment did you write this in? Visual Basic? Visual C++? Borland?
Just wondering... Thanks... |
Karlis Abolins
Member From: Burien, WA, USA
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posted 09 December 2003 02:29 PM
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Ray, I used Visual Basic 6, professional edition, to create this application.Karlis |
Joey Ace
Sysop From: Southern Ontario, Canada
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posted 09 December 2003 02:34 PM
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The "Announcement" part of this post is over a year old. The discussion now probably belongs in "Pedal Steel" so I'm moving it.Nice work Karlis! |
Nate LaPointe
Member From: Los Angeles, California, USA
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posted 09 December 2003 03:51 PM
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Karlis, I have joined the forum since your original post and I'm glad it was re-posted. I downloaded your program and just with the half hour I've spent playing with your it, I can already tell it will help me tremendously in the future. Thank you for contributing to the forum. Great work!! |
Tom Mortensen
Member From: Nashville TN
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posted 10 December 2003 03:05 PM
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Karlis,
Great program and tool.
Here are some pictures of my version of the Guitar Map.
I built this slide rule in 1978.
www.tombleu.com/chordchart1.jpg
www.tombleu.com/chordchart2.jpg [This message was edited by Tom Mortensen on 10 December 2003 at 03:06 PM.] |
Karlis Abolins
Member From: Burien, WA, USA
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posted 10 December 2003 06:21 PM
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Tom, That is so cool. ------------------
Karlis Abolins
"That was then"
Remington S12 Extended E9
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Fred Shannon
Member From: Rocking "S" Ranch, Comancheria, Texas
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posted 11 November 2004 03:04 AM
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Well, it's been nearly a year and the Forum has many new folks added. This thread was started by a super guy, Karlis Abolins, who has put forth a tremendous effort for the benefit of everyone in the steel guitar community. This guitar map program, available for free download in the initial post of this thread, is a tremendous learning and teaching tool for the Pedal Steel Guitar, especially for those neophytes who are just learning. I use this website for all students who are really serious about learning to play psg. This site along with Larry Bell's site is a tremendous teaching aid for new students. Both sites are also useful for us older guys who need a refresher course in fundamentals. Larry's site can be found at: http://www.larrybell.org/ Hope you find both helpful.
edited: Here are a couple more websites I recommend to my students: http://www.steelguitarinfo.com/infoindex.html http://www.torvund.net/guitar/harmscale.asp fred ------------------
The spirit be with you!
If it aint got a steel, it aint real
[This message was edited by Fred Shannon on 11 November 2004 at 03:10 AM.] [This message was edited by Fred Shannon on 11 November 2004 at 03:13 AM.]
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Cory Dolinsky
Member From: Old Saybrook, Connecticut, USA
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posted 11 November 2004 01:54 PM
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does this work with a MAC i tried but it said it couldnt open exe files only for p.c.s
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Phil Sikes
Member From: Oak Harbor, Washington, USA
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posted 16 November 2004 09:34 PM
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As a real newbie I can't thank you enough for this program. It really helped me to start making sense of teh fretboard/pedal layout on my guitar. Only one question so far, I did change the E9 layout to reflect my E9B6 MSA, saved it and can reload it but it still comes up as E9 in the description. Am I doing something wrong? Thanks - Phil PS - If you ever get out to Whidbey Island please let me know you are coming, it would be a pleasure to meet you. |
Fred Shannon
Member From: Rocking "S" Ranch, Comancheria, Texas
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posted 17 November 2004 06:46 AM
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Phil open up the layout, hit "save as" and type in "E9/B6 MSA" and that should do it. fred------------------
The spirit be with you!
If it aint got a steel, it aint real
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Mike Wheeler
Member From: Columbus, Ohio, USA
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posted 13 March 2005 03:27 PM
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Just wanted to bump this back to the top because it's a terrific little FREE program and the new members may have never heard of it.Try it out. I love it and use it to analyze copedents and their functionality....not to mention investigating various pedal and knee combos. ------------------
Every day is a Great day,
Mike
(aka Sideman) |
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