Harmonic Tune-Up

Buddy takes you through his approach to tuning up an E9th neck (open and with pedals). He advocates utilizing the natural harmonic points on your guitar's neck and tuning the guitar to itself. This is the "just" tuning method in its truest form. By using unison-pitched harmonics, the oscillating "beats" between the two sounding notes can be eliminated to achieve a finely-tuned sound. Buddy reveals where all the proper harmonic positions are for you. Because of the need to play in tune at so many positions and in numerous chords, he reveals all those proper harmonic points that provide the best overall sound as is possible for all your strings and pedal changes. He recognizes that "splitting differences" is necessary for a pedal steel to be "in tune" in every chord and pedal position.

E9 Chord Vocabulary

Want to find the chords on your steel that you hear in today's Country music? Buddy takes you through each of these chords and many of their inversions. He gently "walks" and talks you all over your guitar, showing you where to find 50 positions for 25 of the commonly used chords. He amazes me by demonstrating how the E9th tuning, when chords are emphasized, sounds much like the C6th neck. By learning how to recognize chord sounds, you begin to realize how majors and minors are used to play the melody lines in all music. Following these basics, Buddy moves you into the diminished, augmented and seventh "movement chords." He gets into sharped and flatted 9ths and many other color-chords. Once you recognize their sounds and know their positions on your guitar, you are better able to "sandwich" them between major and minor chord changes as you hear them in today's music. With this CD you are "sitting right beside Buddy" having a productive hour-long lesson. Is this guy that friendly in person? You bet!

Intro's & Turnarounds, Vol. 1 (E9th)

Want to know exactly how Buddy played the intros and turnarounds on 20 of the greatest hits by Ray Price, John Anderson, Mel Tillis, Larry Gatlin, Willie Nelson, Roger Miller and Billy Walker? This course booklet has them all tabbed out for you. The CD provides the actual recordings so you can recall how they all sounded. Buddy follows them with a discussion and demonstration using a drum machine rhythm track. You can play them exactly as Buddy does on the CD. You will quickly recognize how you can use parts of these runs on so many other tunes of similar construction. There is really great stuff here.

1. Touch My Heart (Ray Price)
2. You Took My Happy Away (Ray Price)
3. Are you Sure (Ray Price)
4. Would you Catch A Falling Star (John Anderson)
5. A Different Kind Of Flower (Ray Price)
6. Swinging Doors (Ray Price)
7. Enough To Lie (Ray Price)
8. There Goes My Everything (Ray Price)
9. Looking For Tomorrow (Mel Tillis)
10. A Way To Survive (Ray Price)
11. The Same Two Lips (Ray Price)
12. Rainy Day Woman (Mel Tillis)
13. The Lady Takes A Cowboy (Larry Gatlin)
14. Don't You Ever Get Tired (Ray Price & Willie Nelson)
15. Invitation To The Blues (Roger Miller)
16. Honky Tonkitus (Billy Walker)
17. You Took Her Off My Hands (Ray Price)
18. Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes (Ray Price)
19. A World I Can't Live In (Roger Miller)

Intro's & Turnarounds, Vol. 2 - E9th & C6th

Is Buddy recording with everyone? Sounds like it from these 20 intros and turnarounds! All are from top hits by the greatest vocalists around, like John Anderson and George Strait, and are the actual recorded intros and turnaround cuts (when Buddy recorded the songs with them). A rhythm track is also included. Many are driving tunes, while others are sensitive ballads. Buddy hasn't lost any speed. The guy plays some banjo rolls and "perpetual-lick" fingering runs. How does he do it? It's just too much! Never mind, it's all there in the tab.

1. If It Weren't For Country Music (E9th)
2. Blue Country Frame Of Mind (E9th)
3. So Much Like My Dad (E9th)
4. Born To Lose (C6th)
5. Our Yesterdays (E9th)
6. I've Got It Made (E9th)
7. Who Got Our Love (E9th)
8. The King Of Broken Hearts (E9th)
9. House Of Diamonds (E9th)
10. Freeborn Man (E9th & C6th)
11. I'll Never Always Love You I Cross My Heart (E9th)
12. When Did You Stop Loving Me (E9th)
13. Thoughts Of A Fool (E9th)
14. Someone Out In Dallas (E9th)
15. My Weakness Is Too Strong (E9th)
16. I Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way (E9th)

Half Duzin Shuffles (E9th)

The word that best describes the classic Emmons delivery on these equally classic recordings by Buddy when with Ray Price is, "dynamite." Now you have all that great playing at your fingertips. The delivery is flawless, the execution always sensitive and the sound so dramatic of the Emmons trademark. Play right along and match the steel sounds of the Cherokee Cowboys. These tunes will never die, but will remain the staple for the 4/4 beat that Texas Swing is all about. Following every melody version (on the CD), Buddy provides an improvised one (also tabbed out) that effectively gives you 12 ways to play 6 songs, all vintage Emmons!

The CD features Buddy playing all 6 tunes as instrumentals, followed by rhythm tracks for all six.

1. Crazy Arms
2. Invitation To The Blues
3. The Other Woman
4. Pride
5. Touch My Heart
6. Release Me
7. thru 12. - rhythm tracks

Expedition E9

Buddy's famous Expedition E9 "mini album" has been out of print for years, but now you can get all eight tunes and their rhythm tracks all on one CD, along with a book of tab to teach you the songs.

1. Oklahoma Stomp
2. I Just Destroyed The World
3. Flint Hill Special
4. Rose Colored Glasses
5. I Love You Because
6. Nashville Alive
7. Brian's Song
8. This Cold War With You
9. thru 16. - rhythm tracks

Basic C6th

Have you had that C6th neck on your guitar for years but used it as an arm rest while playing your E9th? Buddy initially provides a comparison between the two tunings, showing you that it really isn't a totally different world when playing C6th. He follows that with a lesson in chord construction and where a bunch of chords are found on the C6th. Gaining some understanding of music theory, you become able to hear and identify many uncommon chords in today's country music.

Buddy explains (and shows you) that the C6th tuning is really two tunings in one (Fmaj9 & C6th). He explains the common string "grips" and their positions. Everything begins to fall into place and seems easier than you ever believed. That's because you are understanding. After the theory lesson is over, you are playing "EZ Blues" using your 5th and 6th pedals as Buddy demonstrates chords found with the other pedals.

The rhythm track is great too. After getting started, you are expected to follow the tab along with the rhythm tracks. It's a fun time and you have leaped far ahead in your understanding of the C6th tuning. All the tab is included for four familiar songs: "Sentimental Journey," "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," "Bud's Bounce," and "Right Or Wrong."

"Cold Rolled Steel " (C6th)
"Lily Dale" (E9th)
"La Golondrina" (E9th)

These tunes have been tabbed out from Buddy's Album, Steel Guitar Jazz In Four Wheel Drive. You always loved "Lily Dale" and you remember "La Golondrina" from when you were a kid. What is this "Cold Rolled Steel?" Sounds interesting. You bet; all three are! They won't be easy, but will hold your interest so firm that you will be playing them before you know it. You've been thinking of getting Buddy's classic double album (A-056) for a long time. What better excuse than learning these great tunes? Twenty-six songs are on that album. That sounds like something you should have had years ago. You say, "O.K., I'll try the album and decide on those tunes after I get it." Bet I know what your decision will be.

In The Mood For Swingin'

You're sitting there listening as Buddy knocks you out with his playing on this album you just bought (Item #C-071, $16). You think, "I want to play that way too." You can! Everything he plays on the album is tabbed out for you in each of the two tunings he used when that album was originally recorded. Nine songs are C6th, while four are E9th. It's as simple as that.

C6th tunes:

1. In The Mood - C6th
2. Country Club - C6th
3. The Kind Of Love I Can't Forget - C6th
4. Tuxedo Junction - C6th
5. String Of Pearls - C6th
6. My Kind Of Girl - C6th
7. Curtain Call - C6th
8. Undecided - C6th
9. Home In San Antone - C6th

E9th tunes:

1. When You've Seen One Broken Heart
2. Careless Hands
3. Don't Worry
4. Good Ole Country Mood -E9th

We're Steel Swingin' - E9th & C6th

You bought Buddy's album (Item #C-068, $16) and want to learn how he plays 10 of the prominent instrumentals on that album. Here they are. Everything is exactly as he plays it, with all the tab, the background music and every nuance in Buddy's delivery. What an opportunity to get good and in the Emmons' style.

C6h tunes:

1. Midnight In Amarillo
2. Caravan
3. Perdido
4. Fat Boy Rag
5. Loose Tights
6. Take The "A" Train
7. Moonlight Serenade.

E9th tunes:

1. Same Ole Me
2. Blue Eyes
3. You And Me

Swingin' Our Way

You're on a roll. Can't get enough of a good thing. You just bought Buddy's album (Item #C-070, $16) and love the tunes on it. This is great Dorsey Brothers' Pop Swing. Is it tabbed out? Yes! Learn these and you can "wow" any dance crowd. So, you've got ten more great instrumentals (eight C6th & two E9th). At your leisure you can work them out to perfection. One is 90% single-string and will be your biggest challenge. No problem. You can put it off 'til last. All the tab is waiting there for you (when you can't resist the challenge any longer).

Proficiency Level: Intermediate to Advanced

C6th tunes:

1. Just Singin'
2. Opus One
3. After You've Gone
4. Air Mail Special
5. Triple Play
6. Moonglow
7. Peter Gunn
8. Woodchopper's Ball

E9th tunes:

1. I Love You So Much
2. My Weakness Is Too Strong

Swingin' By Request

You still can't get enough, can you? The playing on Buddy's album (Item #C-069, $16) was out of sight. It had to be tabbed out. western swing is such a driving sound and fun to play on your steel. You want it all, since it sort of changes your whole outlook on life. Your toes tap, your body moves, and your fingers just want to get in between those strings. Got to have it. So, go for it. Everything is there in the tab and you have the rhythm track too. Swing your way to a heavenly place; you deserve it! Eight tunes are C6th; two are E9th and one requires both tunings.

1. Broadway
2. Sunrise Serenade
3. Canadian Sunset
4. Little Brown Jug
5. Sunny Side Of The Street
6. Stompin' At The Savoy and April's Fool
7. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
8. Little Liza Jane
9. Lily Dale (E9)
10. Rubber Dolly (E9 & C6)
    

It's All In The Swing

You just got another swing album (Item #C-072, $16) and Buddy's playing just knocks you out. You wondered what tunes he might have tabbed out. You're in luck. Twelve of the tunes are available with tab and rhythm track CD. All are in C6th, except a portion in E9th on "Satin Doll." Everything played is right there in the tab. If you have the album, then you know what you're getting.

1. Danny G
2. On The Street Where You Live
3. Satin Doll, Don't Be That Way
4. Out Of Nowhere
5. Blues 4 MTG.
6. You Want What!?
7. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart
8. Deep Purple
9. Jersey Bounce
10. Dardanella
11. Dah Dot
12. Moseying

Christmas Sounds (E9th & C6th)

When Christmas approaches you will want to express it's music on your steel. You may have some friends who will want to also play them on the old piano in the living room. You already bought Buddy's album (item #C-066, $16) to play at Christmas. You've listened already and like the way he swung those tunes with his interesting arrangements. Good traditional music, good sounds, all classics. You need this kind of change for the Yuletide season. You've still got time to memorize them perfectly, so get with it!

1. Sleigh Ride
2. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
3. White Christmas
4. Winter Wonderland
5. The Christmas Song
6. Silver Bells
7. Let It Snow, Let It Snow
8. Blue Christmas
9. I'll Be Home For Christmas
10. Oh Holy Night
11. 6 Christmas Songs Medley.

Goin' Out Swingin'

This is tab for Buddy's most last album with Ray Pennington, Goin' Out Swingin' (Item #C-073, $16). The playing is signature Emmons. You can duplicate each one just as he played them on the album. A rhythm track CD is included.

1. Boggs' Boogie (E9)
2. Wills Point (E9)
3. Dark Town Strutter's Ball (C6)
4. S'Wonderful (C6)
5. Walkin' My Baby Back Home (C6)
6. Shiny Stockings (C6)
7. Up A Lazy River (C6)
8. Drownin' My Troubles (C6)
9. The Heart Of A Clown (C6)
10. The Day You Left Me (C6)
11. So Many Ways (E9)