12-String Cycle by Art Sulger

Doesn’t this limit the tonal palette a little?

So I started looking at some alternate keys, odd ones like F# or G#, and the 12-string guitar, as it often does, surprised me! The double courses on the middle G and D strings often showed up as handy open strings. For example, the B Flat Rag makes frequent use of the open G for a Seventh and the open D for the Third. I found unique uses for the upper unison courses (they have a different sound from the octave courses). For example, listen to the opening piece in B natural. It uses the open B as a drone for the rising, 60's, rock 'n roll riff that separates sections. It's a series of B chords, anchored by the open 2nd course. I found open notes like this throughout what soon became a cycle of 12 tunes. Another example: the E flat piece uses open A, D, and G (the Third). The A and D play prominent roles in the melody even though they are leading notes. Joe Turner's Blues in G sharp, was the most difficult key; the tune is almost entirely barred. Even here, though, I found a little major/minor play with the open B.

The Tunes start with key of B and end with the key of E. Each tune is a fifth higher than the previous one.

The Tunes:

B-63 Blues (B natural) - an exuberant piece inspired by Rock & Roll and the Mo-Town Girl Group tunes of 1963. The piece has an interesting ‘bridge’ that is nothing more than a cycle of fifths. Tab and standard notation is available.

IstanBlues (F sharp) - kind of Turkish, except for the missing 150 or so micro-tones. Tab and standard notation is available.

The Brights (C sharp) – C sharp and F sharp were two keys that really felt good on a 12-string.

Joe Turner's Blues (G sharp) - a little study in some Rag progressions mixed with a I III IV chord progression.

Sergio Leone's Blues (E flat) - the Good, the Bad, the Jangly.

Bb Rag (B flat) – some standard guitar rag changes, short and to the point.

Walk Right In (F natural) - Gus Cannon's piece, via The Rooftop Singers. Starts in C, down good and low, and ends in F.

Folk Medley (C natural) - Freight Train, Hollis Brown, Railroad Bill, Cocaine Blues and a thousand other folk tunes guitarists play in C.

River of Life (G natural) - lots of open strings and harmonics; hardly need a left hand with this piece.

Fontaine's Hornpipe (D natural) - dedicated to a talented musician, the late Fred Fontaine. He loved to play hornpipes, jigs, and even Bach pieces on his banjos. Tab and standard notation is available.

Just A’ Closer (A natural) – sometimes a 12-string guitar is just a fine gospel piano.

Last Dance at Kittles (E natural) – Kittles, the best live R & B bar in Albany, New York in the 60's.

My Ride (the cover picture) is Cannondale with an unusual 24 spoke wheel in a triplet pattern by Gipiemme.

All tunes recorded with Taylor LKSM-12 tuned down 2 whole steps.

Mastered at Naiant Studio in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, USA

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