PEDAL STEEL GUITAR

E9 FRETBOARD REFERENCE
Arranged By: Jesse Leite
DRAFT #6
Please send all comments and
suggestions to [email protected]

A B C LKL LKR

F#

D# TABLE OF CONTENTS
G# A
Introduction p.2
E F# F D#

B C# C# The Chord Chart p.3

G# A Chord Zones p.4
F#
Single Position Scale Patterns p.5
E F D#

D Harmonized Scale Patterns p.6-10

B C# Appendix A: Diatonic Chord Reference p.11
 Pedal Steel Guitar: E9 Fretboard Reference (Arranged By: Jesse Leite)

INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS REFERENCE BOOKLET?
The purpose of this booklet is to lay out the E9 fretboard in a simple and practical way. My goal is to cover everything from basic chord positions for
rhythm playing, to various scale patterns for lead playing, and to tie these rhythm and lead concepts together to form a better understanding of the
E9 fretboard. To attain this goal, I have created a simple chord chart that will be utilized as a reference on every page; and in doing this hopefully
the player will begin to see how these chords and scales fit together on the fretboard in any given key.

WHAT DO I NEED TO GET STARTED?

Before using this reference booklet, it is highly recommended that you have a basic understanding of chord theory and diatonic harmony;
specifically the nashville numbering system, which will be used to notate diatonic chord names.

WHAT IS DIATONIC HARMONY?

Chord progressions in most songs are not usually chosen at random, but are chosen because they sound good together in a given key. The rules of
“diatonic harmony” allow a musician to easily find a set of chords that properly harmonize with the scale of the key they are playing in.

WHAT IS THE NASHVILLE NUMBERING SYSTEM?

It is considered a standard to use roman numerals (rather than specific chord names) to maximize flexibility when learning chord progressions.
The roman numerals define the character of a chord, and allow a musician to easily transpose chord progressions (and patterns, scales, licks within
a given chord progression) up the neck for use in any key. Many call this the “nashville numbering system”. While the charts in the book primarily
use the nashville numbering system, you may refer to Appendix A for exact chord names in any given key.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

You can use the internet to research these concepts further. Searching the terms “diatonic harmony”, “nashville numbering system”, and
“harmonizing the major scale” should all lead you to a wealth of useful information. Also available to you are many great pedal steel guitar method
books, and/or general music theory method books to help get you started.

HOW IS THIS CHORD CHART FORMATTED?

1) Each chart covers a little more than one octave (a total of 17 frets by column, with “home” frets outlined in bold).
2) The primary major chords (I, IV, V; aka. “tonic”, “subdominant”, and “dominant” respectively) exist within the green rows.
3) The secondary chords (IIm, IIIm, VIm, VII˚) exist within the blue rows.
4) Pedal & lever changes are based on the E9 pedal steel tuning using a fairly standard Emmons style copedent (see title page for copedent).
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 Pedal Steel Guitar: E9 Fretboard Reference (Arranged By: Jesse Leite)

THE CHORD CHART

I I I7 I I
(Open) (A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B) (Open)

IIm IIm IIm IIm IIm

(B+C) (B+C)
(LKR) (A) (LKR)
*3,4,5,6,7 *3,4,5,6,7

IIIm IIIm IIIm IIIm IIIm

(B+C) (B+C)
(LKR) (A) (LKR)
*3,4,5,6,7 *3,4,5,6,7

IV7 IV IV IV IV7 IV
(B+LKR) (A+B) (Open) (A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B)

V V7 V V V V7 V
(A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B) (Open) (A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B)

VIm VIm VIm VIm

(B+C)
(A) (LKR) (A)
*3,4,5,6,7

VII˚ VII˚ VII˚ VII˚ VII˚ VII˚

(LKL) (LKL) (LKL) (LKL) (LKL) (LKL)

*Chords can be played on strings 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10; unless otherwise noted!

HERE IS THE BASIC CHORD CHART!
One octave has been highlighted with many of the common diatonic chord positions labelled. With these chord voicings, the player is never more
than a few frets away from the next desired chord. This is the basic chart on which the rest of this reference booklet is based on. Feel free to add
your own chord voicings to this chart; especially if you have custom changes installed that may allow for other possible chord voicings! In the key of
G Major, the home frets outlined in bold would occur at the 3rd and 15th frets. Refer to Appendix A for exact chord names in any given key.
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 Pedal Steel Guitar: E9 Fretboard Reference (Arranged By: Jesse Leite)

CHORD ZONES

I I I7 I I
(Open) (A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B) (Open)

IIm IIm IIm IIm IIm

(B+C) (B+C)
(LKR) (A) (LKR)
*3,4,5,6,7 *3,4,5,6,7

IIIm IIIm IIIm IIIm IIIm

(B+C) (B+C)
(LKR) (A) (LKR)
*3,4,5,6,7 *3,4,5,6,7

IV7 IV IV IV IV7 IV
(B+LKR) (A+B) (Open) (A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B)

V V7 V V V V7 V
(A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B) (Open) (A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B)

VIm VIm VIm VIm

(B+C)
(A) (LKR) (A)
*3,4,5,6,7

VII˚ VII˚ VII˚ VII˚ VII˚ VII˚

(LKL) (LKL) (LKL) (LKL) (LKL) (LKL)

CHORD ZONE 1 CHORD ZONE 2 CHORD ZONE 1; octave higher

*Chords can be played on strings 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10; unless otherwise noted!

HOW ARE THESE CHORD ZONES USEFUL?
The chart on the previous page is very open, and allows the player to veer in any direction to create chord progressions. This may be overwhelming
for some. By breaking the neck into two “zones”, the player might find it easier to memorize these chord positions. It is also beneficial to use these
chord zones because the range of frets within each zone is small enough for you to play through a song with minimal bar movement. In the key of
G Major, “Zone 1” would span from the 1st to the 5th fret, and “Zone 2” would span from the 8th to the 10th fret.
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 Pedal Steel Guitar: E9 Fretboard Reference (Arranged By: Jesse Leite)

SINGLE POSITION SCALE PATTERNS

I I I7 I I
(Open) (A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B) (Open)

IIm IIm IIm IIm IIm

(B+C) (B+C)
(LKR) (A) (LKR)
*3,4,5,6,7 *3,4,5,6,7

IIIm IIIm IIIm IIIm IIIm

(B+C) (B+C)
(LKR) (A) (LKR)
*3,4,5,6,7 *3,4,5,6,7

IV7 IV IV IV IV7 IV
(B+LKR) (A+B) (Open) (A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B)

V V7 V V V V7 V
(A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B) (Open) (A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B)

VIm VIm VIm VIm

(B+C)
(A) (LKR) (A)
*3,4,5,6,7

VII˚ VII˚ VII˚ VII˚ VII˚ VII˚

(LKL) (LKL) (LKL) (LKL) (LKL) (LKL)

Scale Pattern in Zone 1: (G Major) Harmonizing Zone 1: Scale Pattern in Zone 2: Harmonizing Zone 2:
F# 3 3 10 10 Here are a few scale patterns that fit
D 3 3 9* 10*
nicely into the two zones. In the key of
G 3---3B 3B--- 10---10B 10B---3
E 3 3-----3 3-----3 10 10-----3 10-----1 G Major, these scales would occur at
B 3---3A 3A--- 10---10 10A---1 the 3rd and 10th frets, and would
G 3---3B 10---10 *NOTE: Many guitars repeat an octave higher at the 15th fret.
F# 3 10 have a change installed *NOTE: 2nd String
E 3 *Major Roots 10 which lowers string 2. change required in There are many ways to harmonize
D *Relative Minor Roots If available, starred note this example! these single position scales. Examples
B can be played at fret 10! have been provided to get you started.
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 Pedal Steel Guitar: E9 Fretboard Reference (Arranged By: Jesse Leite)

HARMONIZED SCALE PATTERNS: Using LKL Change

I I I7 I I
(Open) (A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B) (Open)

IIm IIm IIm IIm IIm

(B+C) (B+C)
(LKR) (A) (LKR)
*3,4,5,6,7 *3,4,5,6,7

IIIm IIIm IIIm IIIm IIIm

(B+C) (B+C)
(LKR) (A) (LKR)
*3,4,5,6,7 *3,4,5,6,7

IV7 IV IV IV IV7 IV
(B+LKR) (A+B) (Open) (A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B)

V V7 V V V V7 V
(A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B) (Open) (A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B)

VIm VIm VIm VIm

(B+C)
(A) (LKR) (A)
*3,4,5,6,7

VII˚ VII˚ VII˚ VII˚ VII˚ VII˚

(LKL) (LKL) (LKL) (LKL) (LKL) (LKL)

Harmonized Scale Using LKL Change: (G Major)

F# *Major Roots *Relative Minor Roots This harmonized scale pattern works best when played using dyads (two-
D note groupings) on string combinations 3+4, 4+6, or 6+8.
G 3 4 6 8 10 11 13 15
E 3 4 LKL 6 LKL 8 10 11 LKL 13 LKL 15 The example on the left is in the key of G Major, from home fret to home
B fret. The root notes are highlighted for you to use as a reference when
G 3 4 6 8 10 11 13 15 trying to find your way through a melody.
F#
E 3 4 LKL 6 LKL 8 10 11 LKL 13 LKL 15 The highlighted boxes above were chosen solely for the purpose of
D showing where these dyads exist within similar chords on the chart (chords
B that exist at the same frets with the same pedals/levers depressed).
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 Pedal Steel Guitar: E9 Fretboard Reference (Arranged By: Jesse Leite)

HARMONIZED SCALE PATTERNS: Using A+B Changes

I I I7 I I
(Open) (A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B) (Open)

IIm IIm IIm IIm IIm

(B+C) (B+C)
(LKR) (A) (LKR)
*3,4,5,6,7 *3,4,5,6,7

IIIm IIIm IIIm IIIm IIIm

(B+C) (B+C)
(LKR) (A) (LKR)
*3,4,5,6,7 *3,4,5,6,7

IV7 IV IV IV IV7 IV
(B+LKR) (A+B) (Open) (A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B)

V V7 V V V V7 V
(A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B) (Open) (A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B)

VIm VIm VIm VIm

(B+C)
(A) (LKR) (A)
*3,4,5,6,7

VII˚ VII˚ VII˚ VII˚ VII˚ VII˚

(LKL) (LKL) (LKL) (LKL) (LKL) (LKL)

Harmonized Scale Using A+B Changes: (G Major)

F# *Major Roots *Relative Minor Roots This harmonized scale pattern works best when played using dyads (two-
D note groupings) on string combinations 3+5, 5+6, or 6+10.
G 3 3B 5B 8 10 10 B 13 15
E The example on the left is in the key of G Major, from home fret to home
B 3 3A 5A 8 10 10 A 13 15 fret. The root notes are highlighted for you to use as a reference when
G 3 3B 5B 8 10 10 B 13 15 trying to find your way through a melody.
F#
E The highlighted boxes above were chosen solely for the purpose of
D showing where these dyads exist within similar chords on the chart (chords
B 3 3A 5A 8 10 10 A 13 15 that exist at the same frets with the same pedals/levers depressed).
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 Pedal Steel Guitar: E9 Fretboard Reference (Arranged By: Jesse Leite)

HARMONIZED SCALE PATTERNS: Using A+LKL Changes

I I I7 I I
(Open) (A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B) (Open)

IIm IIm IIm IIm IIm

(B+C) (B+C)
(LKR) (A) (LKR)
*3,4,5,6,7 *3,4,5,6,7

IIIm IIIm IIIm IIIm IIIm

(B+C) (B+C)
(LKR) (A) (LKR)
*3,4,5,6,7 *3,4,5,6,7

IV7 IV IV IV IV7 IV
(B+LKR) (A+B) (Open) (A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B)

V V7 V V V V7 V
(A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B) (Open) (A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B)

VIm VIm VIm VIm

(B+C)
(A) (LKR) (A)
*3,4,5,6,7

VII˚ VII˚ VII˚ VII˚ VII˚ VII˚

(LKL) (LKL) (LKL) (LKL) (LKL) (LKL)

Harmonized Scale Using A+LKL Changes: (G Major)

F# *Major Roots *Relative Minor Roots This harmonized scale pattern works best when played using dyads (two-
D note groupings) on string combinations 4+5, 5+8, or 8+10.
G
E 3 5 6 LKL 8 10 11 LKL 13 LKL 15 The example on the left is in the key of G Major, from home fret to home
B 3A 5A 6A 8A 10 A 11 A 13 A 15 A fret. The root notes are highlighted for you to use as a reference when
G trying to find your way through a melody.
F#
E 3 5 6 LKL 8 10 11 LKL 13 LKL 15 The highlighted boxes above were chosen solely for the purpose of
D showing where these dyads exist within similar chords on the chart (chords
B 3A 5A 6A 8A 10 A 11 A 13 A 15 A that exist at the same frets with the same pedals/levers depressed).
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 Pedal Steel Guitar: E9 Fretboard Reference (Arranged By: Jesse Leite)

HARMONIZED SCALE PATTERNS: Using A+LKR Changes

I I I7 I I
(Open) (A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B) (Open)

IIm IIm IIm

IIm (B+C)
IIm (B+C)
(LKR) (A) (LKR)
*3,4,5,6,7 *3,4,5,6,7

IIIm IIIm IIIm IIIm IIIm

(B+C) (B+C)
(LKR) (A) (LKR)
*3,4,5,6,7 *3,4,5,6,7

IV7 IV IV IV IV7 IV
(B+LKR) (A+B) (Open) (A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B)

V V7 V V V V7 V
(A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B) (Open) (A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B)

VIm VIm VIm VIm

(B+C)
(A) (LKR) (A)
*3,4,5,6,7

VII˚ VII˚ VII˚ VII˚ VII˚ VII˚

(LKL) (LKL) (LKL) (LKL) (LKL) (LKL)

Harmonized Scale Using A+LKR Changes: (G Major)

F# *Major Roots *Relative Minor Roots This harmonized scale pattern works best when played using dyads (two-
D note groupings) on string combinations 4+5, 5+8, or 8+10.
G
E 3 LKR 3 5 8 LKR 8 10 13 LKR 15 LKR The example on the left is in the key of G Major, from home fret to home
B 3 3A 5A 8 8A 10 A 13 15 fret. The root notes are highlighted for you to use as a reference when
G trying to find your way through a melody.
F#
E 3 LKR 3 5 8 LKR 8 10 13 LKR 15 LKR The highlighted boxes above were chosen solely for the purpose of
D showing where these dyads exist within similar chords on the chart (chords
B 3 3A 5A 8 8A 10 A 13 15 that exist at the same frets with the same pedals/levers depressed).
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 Pedal Steel Guitar: E9 Fretboard Reference (Arranged By: Jesse Leite)

HARMONIZED SCALE PATTERNS: Using B+C Changes

I I I7 I I
(Open) (A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B) (Open)

IIm IIm
IIm (B+C)
IIm IIm (B+C)
(LKR) (A) (LKR)
*3,4,5,6,7 *3,4,5,6,7

IIIm IIIm IIIm IIIm IIIm

(B+C) (B+C)
(LKR) (A) (LKR)
*3,4,5,6,7 *3,4,5,6,7

IV7 IV IV IV IV7 IV
(B+LKR) (A+B) (Open) (A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B)

V V7 V V V V7 V
(A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B) (Open) (A+LKL) (B+LKR) (A+B)

VIm
VIm VIm (B+C)
VIm
(A) (LKR) (A)
*3,4,5,6,7

VII˚ VII˚ VII˚ VII˚ VII˚ VII˚

(LKL) (LKL) (LKL) (LKL) (LKL) (LKL)

Harmonized Scale Using B+C Changes: (G Major)

F# *Major Roots *Relative Minor Roots This harmonized scale pattern works best when played using dyads (two-
D note groupings) on string combinations 3+4, or 4+6.
G 3 3B 5B 8 10 10 B 12 B 15
E 3 3C 5C 8 10 10 C 12 C 15 The example on the left is in the key of G Major, from home fret to home
B fret. The root notes are highlighted for you to use as a reference when
G 3 3B 5B 8 10 10 B 12 B 15 trying to find your way through a melody.
F#
E The highlighted boxes above were chosen solely for the purpose of
D showing where these dyads exist within similar chords on the chart (chords
B that exist at the same frets with the same pedals/levers depressed).
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 Pedal Steel Guitar: E9 Fretboard Reference (Arranged By: Jesse Leite)

Appendix A: Diatonic Chord Reference

The 12 Major Keys (And Their Respective “Home Frets”)

F F# / Gb G G# / Ab A A# / Bb B C C# / Db D D# / Eb E
Major Major Major Major Major Major Major Major Major Major Major Major
Fret 1 Fret 2 Fret 3 Fret 4 Fret 5 Fret 6 Fret 7 Fret 8 Fret 9 Fret 10 Fret 11 Open
Fret 13 Fret 14 Fret 15 Fret 16 Fret 17 Fret 18 Fret 19 Fret 20 Fret 21 Fret 22 Fret 23 Fret 12
Fret 24

F# / G# / A# / C# / D# /
(Chords That Harmonize Nicely In Each Key)

I F G A B C D E
Gb Ab Bb Db Eb
G#m / A#m / C#m / D#m / F#m /
IIm Gm Am Bm Cm Dm Em Fm
Abm Bbm Dbm Ebm Gbm
The Diatonic Chords

A#m / C#m / D#m / F#m / G#m /

IIIm Am Bm Cm Dm Em Fm Gm
Bbm Dbm Ebm Gbm Abm
A# / C# / D# / F# / G# /
IV B C D E F G A
Bb Db Eb Gb Ab
C# / D# / F# / G# / A# /
V7 C D E F G A B
Db Eb Gb Ab Bb
D#m / F#m / G#m / A#m / C#m /
VIm Dm Em Fm Gm Am Bm Cm
Ebm Gbm Abm Bbm Dbm
F#˚ / G#˚ / A#˚ / C#˚ / D#˚ /
VII˚ E˚ F˚ G˚ A˚ B˚ C˚ D#˚
Gb˚ Ab˚ Bb˚ Db˚ Eb˚

Here is a supplementary reference chart that you may use to quickly names of the diatonic chords (the chords that harmonize nicely) in any given
key. This can be used in conjunction with any of the chord charts used previously in this booklet.

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