The Star-Spangled Banner, the national anthem of the United States, is a powerful and recognizable melody. For guitar players, especially those interested in steel guitar, learning to play this iconic song can be a rewarding endeavor. Many musicians are looking for ways to perform this patriotic piece, and thankfully, guitar tabs are available to help guide the way.
Recently, a user on the Steel Guitar Forum, “Bill Atwood,” reached out to the community seeking tablature for “The Star Spangled Banner.” Bill, preparing for a 4th of July celebration performance, wanted to play the anthem on his 8-string non-pedal steel guitar, ideally in C6th tuning, but was open to E9th pedal steel tuning as well.
This request highlights a common desire among guitarists: to find accessible and accurate tabs for popular songs, particularly for instruments like the steel guitar where standard notation might be less common. The beauty of online communities like the Steel Guitar Forum is the willingness of experienced players to share their knowledge and resources.
Within hours, two helpful forum members responded. Lee Baucum mentioned that a tab for E9 tuning might be available in Steel Guitar World Magazine, offering to mail or fax a copy. This shows the resourcefulness of seasoned players and the value of print publications in the steel guitar world.
However, the most direct and immediately helpful response came from Jeff Lampert, who posted a detailed tablature directly in the forum. Jeff’s tab is specifically designed for E9th tuning and, importantly, only requires the A and B pedals, along with a 4th string E to Eb knee lever. This makes it relatively accessible for players familiar with basic pedal steel techniques. The tab is presented in the key of C, a comfortable key for many guitarists.
Here is the tab provided by Jeff Lampert, broken down for clarity:
1______________________________________8_~________________________________________
2______________________________________8_~________________________________________
3__________________________________8_~____________________________________________
4____3_~____________3_____8_~_8____8_~_____8_______________3_____3___3____________
5_______3a_~____3a_~______8_~_8a___________8a____3a_~_5a___3______________________
6___________3b_~_________________________________3b_~_5b___3______________________
7_________________________________________________________________________________
8_________________________________________________________________________________
9_________________________________________________________________________________
10_________________________________________________________________________________1____________________3_~_________________________repeat from beginning____________
2_________________________________________________________________________________
3___8___6___3b_~_3_~_____3___3b__3b_~_____________________________________________
4____________________________________3_~__________________________________________
5___8___6___3a_~_3_~____________________3a_~______________________________________
6___________________________________________3b____________________________________
7_________________________________________________________________________________
8_________________________________________________________________________________
9_________________________________________________________________________________
10_________________________________________________________________________________1______________________________________________________________8_~________________
2_________________________________________________________________________________
3____8___8___8b__10b_~_11____8b_~_8___6__8__8b__8b____8b_~_8_~____________________
4_________________________________________________________________8_______________
5________8___8a__10a_~_11a___8a_~_8___6__8__8a__8a____8a_~_8_~________10_~_10a____
6_____________________________________________________________________10_~_10b____
7_________________________________________________________________________________
8_________________________________________________________________________________
9_________________________________________________________________________________
10_________________________________________________________________________________1_________________________________________________________________________________
2_________________________________________________________________________________
3_________________________________________________________________________________
4______________8_______________3___3__3____8___8___8_~_7___6L__6L_~_5_____________
5___8a_~_10a_________3a_~_5a___3___________________________
6___6__~_5_____________6___8b_~_10b___8_____3b_~_5b___3__________________________________________________
7_________________________________________________________________________________
8__________________________________________8___8___8_~_7__________________________
9_________________________________________________________________________________
10_________________________________________________________________________________1_________________________________________________________________________________
2________13_~____13_~_____________________________________________________________
3______________________________________________________6__8__8b_~__11_____________
4____________13_~________________8_~_8L___________8_______________________________
5___13a_~____________13a_~_13______________8__8________6__8__8a_~__11_____________
6________________________________8_~_8b __________8_______________________________
7_________________________________________________________________________________
8___13__~_________________________________________________________________________
9_________________________________________________________________________________
10_________________________________________________________________________________1________________________8________________________________________________________
2_________________________________________________________________________________
3_______________8___8b____________________________________________________________
4____8____10__________________8___________________________________________________
5____8a___10a___8___8a________8___________________________________________________
6________________________8b___8___________________________________________________
7_________________________________________________________________________________
8_________________________________________________________________________________
9_________________________________________________________________________________
10_________________________________________________________________________________This tab provides a starting point for steel guitar players to learn “The Star-Spangled Banner.” While initially created for an 8-string steel guitar, this E9th tab can be adapted and explored by players on various steel guitar setups.
Tips for Learning “The Star-Spangled Banner” on Guitar:
- Tuning: The provided tab is in E9th tuning. Ensure your steel guitar is accurately tuned to E9th to follow the tab correctly.
- Pedals and Levers: Familiarize yourself with the A and B pedals and the E to Eb knee lever, as these are essential for playing this arrangement.
- Listen to the Melody: Before diving into the tab, listen to recordings of “The Star-Spangled Banner” to internalize the melody and phrasing. This will help you understand the musicality behind the tab.
- Practice Slowly: Start practicing at a slow tempo to ensure accuracy and clean technique. Gradually increase speed as you become more comfortable.
- Break it Down: Practice the tab in smaller sections. Focus on mastering each phrase before moving on to the next.
- Experiment with C6th Tuning: While this specific tab is for E9th, players comfortable with C6th tuning can explore adapting the melody. This might require finding different positions and voicings on the fretboard.
- Performance Considerations: Think about the context of your performance. “The Star-Spangled Banner” is often played with reverence and respect. Consider dynamics and tone to convey the appropriate emotion.
Learning “The Star-Spangled Banner” on guitar, especially steel guitar, is a great way to expand your repertoire and connect with a deeply meaningful piece of music. Thanks to the sharing spirit of online communities and dedicated players like Jeff Lampert, resources like this tab make it more accessible for guitarists of all levels to tackle this patriotic classic.
