Skip Jame's Tuning ???

Subject: Skip Jame's Tuning ???
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 28 Aug 03 - 10:14 PM

Hello Gang ..
                   I was trying to go through the data bace   to find Skip Jame's tuning. This is easier and more fun .. Im shore someone has talked about Skip Jame's tuning before but I couldnt find it . Any takers??
                   All the best to all here and thanks for the help .

                   I know Rick knows this one !

Subject: RE: Skip Jame's Tuning ???
From: Sleepless Dad
Date: 28 Aug 03 - 11:01 PM

The only thing I could find on the CD I have { Blues From The Delta } was that James "worked in odd tunings". I wish I could be more help. If someone here doesn't know you might ask over at the "woodshed" board at www.guitarvideos.com - Stephen Grossmans place.

Subject: RE: Skip Jame's Tuning ???
From: Pene Azul
Date: 28 Aug 03 - 11:16 PM

Several articles found in this Google search say DADFAD for many of his tunes.

Jeff

Subject: RE: Skip Jame's Tuning ???
From: Pene Azul
Date: 28 Aug 03 - 11:23 PM

From this PBS page (lesson plan):

In Bentonia-style tuning, the strings are tuned in an E-B-E-G-B-E pattern. If possible, demonstrate these different tunings on a guitar and show how the resulting sound differs. James employed this tuning technique in two of his better-known songs: "Devil Got My Woman" and "Hard Time Killin' Floor Blues." Listen for it in "Hard Time Killin' Floor Blues" and in the performance of "Devil Got My Woman" in The Soul of a Man.

Jeff

Subject: RE: Skip Jame's Tuning ???
From: Mark Clark
Date: 28 Aug 03 - 11:26 PM

At PBS.org there are background materials associated with the seven-night, Martin Scorsese special “The Blues” scheduled to air Sept. 28. In the Blues Classroom section you'll find:

‘…In Bentonia-style tuning, the strings are tuned in an E-B-E-G-B-E pattern. … James employed this tuning technique in two of his better-known songs: “Devil Got My Woman” and “Hard Time Killin’ Floor Blues.” ’

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Skip Jame's Tuning ???
From: Mark Clark
Date: 28 Aug 03 - 11:28 PM

And never try to outdraw Jeff at a computer. <g>

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Skip Jame's Tuning ???
From: alanabit
Date: 29 Aug 03 - 04:44 AM

You can find simplified transcripts with notes and tabs in the Stefan Grossman books. He is easy enough to find through a Google search. One question that Grossman didn't answer for me in his book was how did Skip James get that many notes out of a guitar. How many fingers did he have on his right hand?

Subject: RE: Skip Jame's Tuning ???
From: Brian Hoskin
Date: 29 Aug 03 - 05:05 AM

There's some information and discussion on James' tuning (confirming the above tuning)in Stephen Calt's biography I'd Rather be the Devil: Skip James and the Blues. (Da Capo Press, 1994)

Subject: RE: Skip Jame's Tuning ???
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 29 Aug 03 - 10:34 AM

THanks everyone and espcially Jeff. I think I'll try it down in the DADFAD . It will be interesting after spending so much time in DADGAD.
               Stefan Grossman's tutors would be very helpful as well so thanks alanabit . . I love Skip JAme's work a lot ..
                All the best , Guy

Subject: RE: Skip Jame's Tuning ???
From: GUEST,Paul Jay
Date: 23 Dec 11 - 09:01 AM

The E-B-E-G-B-E tuning referred to in these posts is called Cross-note tuning. It is simply tuning the guitar to an Em chord by raising the A & D strings one whole step. Then, you can play an E major chord by using one finger to press the 3rd string at the first fret. Skip James used this effectively in "I'm So Glad". He also used this tuning for "Hard Time Killing Floor Blues".

Subject: RE: Skip Jame's Tuning ???
From: Bobert
Date: 23 Dec 11 - 09:42 AM

I think it depends on where you are comfortable... I do "Hard Time Killing Floor" in Double Dropped D tuning... Works just fine...

B~