Blues tuning recommendations?

Lap steels, resonators, multi-neck consoles and acoustic steel guitars

Moderator: Brad Bechtel

User avatar
BJ Burbach
Posts: 102
Joined: 13 Dec 2023 5:27 am
Location: New York, USA

Blues tuning recommendations?

Post by BJ Burbach »

Can anyone recommend a favorite tuning for 6 string dobro to do some sparse soloing along with a walking bass for blues with a little swing? I don't mind a little dissonance and I play with three fingers. I know that there are some players that are great finger pickers out there, and alternating bass would be in here, too.
Thanks much,
BJ
User avatar
Brad Bechtel
Moderator
Posts: 8531
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: San Francisco, CA

Post by Brad Bechtel »

Open D would probably work well for you.

Bass to treble D A D F# A D
Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars
User avatar
BJ Burbach
Posts: 102
Joined: 13 Dec 2023 5:27 am
Location: New York, USA

Post by BJ Burbach »

Well, it does, as well as D6 and I have done that on bottleneck guitar, but I used benders to help.
Now I'm back to Lap Steel and dobro and trying to do it with just slants, Eight string helps, C13 for lap and G6 for dobro, but it takes time.
Just wondering if anybody had any tweaks for 6 string to do walking bass stuff.
Thanks,
BJ
D Schubert
Posts: 1202
Joined: 27 Jul 2000 12:01 am
Location: Columbia, MO, USA

Post by D Schubert »

At various times I've used open D (Sevastapol) tuned down to C or up to E, to match my particular singing keys and keeping the alternating bass intact. Some easy retunings for a specific song. Raise the 2nd string for a 6th sound. Lower the 3rd string for a minor sound. I don't use DADGAD but it's right there for you.
GFI Expo S-10PE, Sho-Bud 6139, Fender 2x8 Stringmaster, Supro consoles, Dobro. And more.
User avatar
Mike Neer
Posts: 11466
Joined: 9 Dec 2002 1:01 am
Location: NJ

Post by Mike Neer »

With dobro G tuning, you have 10ths on strings 2/6 and 1/5. That’s great for some walking left hand piano stuff.
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links
User avatar
BJ Burbach
Posts: 102
Joined: 13 Dec 2023 5:27 am
Location: New York, USA

Post by BJ Burbach »

Thanks, guys
BJ