Slant Theory

Basic Slant Theory

Reverse Slants

Starting from a straight bar position ... say a "Major Third Interval" ... 1-3 ....  a reverse slant combined with a slide up ... you produce a "Minor Third Interval" ... 2-4

Its the "interplay" between the Major Third Interval and the Minor Third Interval that makes for interesting "runs" ... up and down the fretboard.

Same theory behind  a "Major Sixth Interval " ... 5-3 ... a reverse slant combined with a slide up produces a "Minor Sixth Interval" ... 6-4.

Forward Slants

Starting from a straight bar position  ... say a "Minor Third Interval" ... 3-5  ... by applying a forward slant while sliding up you are converting it to a "Major Third Interval" ... 4-6.  

A "Minor Sixth Interval" ... 3-1 ...  a forward slant while sliding up you are converting it to a "Major Sixth Interval" ... 4-2

Split Slants

By using a bullet bar ... yoiu can position the "nose" ... in between two adjacent strings ... and then execute a forward slant to achieve harmonies that are not possible in straight bar ... and common forward and reverse slants.

EX:  G9 Chord in C6/A7 tunin'

E --------- 5 -------

C ----------5 -------

A -------------------

G --------- 4 ------

Full Chords vs Partial Chords

Hawaiian Steel Guitar is primarily a "Melody" instrument.  It is not necessary (or even desirable sometimes) ... to play full chords ... especially the more complex ones.

The Rhythm section ... will lay down the "foundation" of the song ...

Here is a nice list of "Double stops" and their associated  chords ... that really make steel sound sweet while playin' the melody.

1-3   I , VIm

2-4   V7, IIm, VIIdim

3-5   I, IIIm

4-6   IV, IIm

5-7   V7, IIIm, 

6-1   IV, VIm

7-2   V7, VIIdim

This will give you the foundations of the looking at the fretboard ... "Slant Style"