On a lap steel, you don't learn a new shape for every chord. You learn where a few string groups sit, then move the bar.
This guide uses C6, the tuning on our Scotty's C6 sets. It covers which strings give you major, minor and 6th chords, a fret-by-fret chart, how to play a basic I-IV-V progression, and a simple way to get a dominant 7th sound.
Lap Steel Chords (Quick Answer)
In C6 tuning (C E G A C E, low to high), three string groups give you most of what you need:
- Major chord: play strings 6, 5 and 4 for a C major chord (C E G). You can also add strings 2 and 1 for extra C and E notes, but leave out string 3 (A) for a plain major chord.
- Minor chord: the top three strings (3, 2 and 1), which are A C E, an A minor chord.
- 6th chord: all six strings, C E G A, a C6 chord.
Lay the bar straight across the strings, directly over a fret marker, and every chord moves up one note per fret. At the 5th fret you get F major, D minor and F6. At the 7th fret you get G major, E minor and G6.
| Fret | Major (strings 6, 5, 4) | Minor (strings 3, 2, 1) | 6th (all strings) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | C | Am | C6 |
| 1 | C# / Db | A#m / Bbm | Db6 |
| 2 | D | Bm | D6 |
| 3 | D# / Eb | Cm | Eb6 |
| 4 | E | C#m | E6 |
| 5 | F | Dm | F6 |
| 6 | F# / Gb | D#m / Ebm | F#6 |
| 7 | G | Em | G6 |
| 8 | G# / Ab | Fm | Ab6 |
| 9 | A | F#m | A6 |
| 10 | A# / Bb | Gm | Bb6 |
| 11 | B | G#m | B6 |
| 12 | C | Am | C6 |
How C6 Tuning Works
A lap steel is tuned so the open strings already form a chord. In C6, those notes are C, E, G and A.
| String | Note (6-string C6) |
|---|---|
| 6th (lowest) | C |
| 5th | E |
| 4th | G |
| 3rd | A |
| 2nd | C |
| 1st (highest) | E |
C, E and G make a C major chord. Add the A and you get C6. Leave out the C and E on the bottom, and the A, C and E on top make A minor.
That's why one tuning gives you three chord types with a straight bar. You pick which strings to play, and the bar sets the pitch.
Why C6 and A minor 7th sound related
C6 (C E G A) and A minor 7 (A C E G) use the exact same four notes. So the "6th" position at any fret can also work as the minor 7th chord a step and a half lower. At the open position, all six strings are both C6 and Am7.
Is this guide for your instrument?
This guide is for lap steel (non-pedal steel) in C6. If your lap steel is in A6, E13, E7 or an open tuning, the string groups are different and this chart won't line up. See our lap steel tunings guide to check your tuning.
Pedal steel is a different instrument. Its pedals and knee levers change string pitches, so its chord layout works differently. See pedal steel vs lap steel.
C6 Chords on an 8-String Lap Steel
Our 8-string C6 set is tuned G A C E G A C E, low to high.
| String | Note (8-string C6) |
|---|---|
| 8th (lowest) | G |
| 7th | A |
| 6th | C |
| 5th | E |
| 4th | G |
| 3rd | A |
| 2nd | C |
| 1st (highest) | E |
Strings 1 through 6 are exactly the same notes as a 6-string C6. So everything in this guide works on the top six strings of an 8-string.
The two extra strings add a low G and A. At any fret, they add a lower 5th (G) and 6th (A) under the chord, which fills out the bottom of 6th and minor 7th voicings.
How to Play Lap Steel Chords with the Bar
- Place the bar directly over the fret marker, not behind it like you'd fret a guitar. Over the marker is where the note is in tune.
- Use light pressure. The bar rests on the strings. Pressing down hard can push notes sharp or cause buzz.
- Keep the bar straight across the strings for every chord in the chart above.
- Pick only the strings in the chord. For a major chord, skip the 3rd string. For minor, play strings 3, 2 and 1.
- Mute what you're not playing. Keep the fingers of your bar hand lightly touching the strings behind the bar to control unwanted ringing. Use your picking hand to mute strings you aren't playing.
- Listen and adjust. If a chord sounds sour, move the bar slightly until it settles in tune. The fret markers are a guide; your ear decides.
Make sure the strings are in tune first. See how do I tune a lap steel to C6?
Playing a I-IV-V Progression in C6
Many songs move between three chords: the I, IV and V. In C6, they sit at easy-to-remember places.
| Key | I | IV | V |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | Open | 5th fret | 7th fret |
| D | 2nd fret | 7th fret | 9th fret |
| F | 5th fret | 10th fret | 12th fret |
| G | 7th fret | 12th fret | 2nd fret (or 14th) |
| A | 9th fret | 2nd fret (or 14th) | 4th fret (or 16th) |
The pattern is the same in every key. Wherever the I chord is, the IV is 5 frets higher and the V is 7 frets higher. If that runs off the neck, go 12 frets lower for the same chord an octave down.
To add the relative minor (the vi chord), stay at the I chord's fret and play strings 3, 2 and 1. In C, that's A minor at the open position.
Minor Chords: Two Ways to Find Them
Method 1: use the chart. Find the minor chord you want in the minor column and go to that fret.
Method 2: count from A. The top three strings are an A minor chord when open. Every fret raises it one half step, so C minor is 3 frets up (A to C), D minor is 5 frets up and E minor is 7 frets up.
That second method is quicker on stage once you know the note names along the 3rd string.
Getting a Dominant 7th Sound in C6
A dominant 7th chord (like G7) needs a flat 7th, and C6 with a straight bar doesn't give you one. The open notes C, E, G and A don't contain the interval a dominant 7th needs. Players get those sounds with a slanted bar or with partial grips.
Here's one simple two-string grip to start with. It's a rootless dominant 7th voicing: it gives you the sound of the chord without playing every note.
- Play the 5th string at a fret.
- Angle the bar so the 3rd string sits one fret higher.
- Skip the 4th string between them.
These two notes form the 3rd and flat 7th of a dominant 7th chord. Together they imply the chord's sound even without playing its root. Here are a few examples:
| 5th string at | 3rd string at | Notes | Implied chord |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fret 3 | Fret 4 | G and Db | Eb7 |
| Fret 5 | Fret 6 | A and Eb | F7 |
| Fret 7 | Fret 8 | B and F | G7 |
| Fret 10 | Fret 11 | D and Ab | Bb7 |
For a V7 in C, play the G major chord at the 7th fret, then slant into the 7th-fret grip above for a G7 sound before going back to C. Slants take practice; keep your bar pressure light and check each one by ear.
Does a Heavier Gauge Mean More Tension?
Only when the note, scale length and construction stay the same. Gauge is the string's diameter. Tension is how hard it pulls at a given note on a given instrument.
On a lap steel, even tension across the strings matters more than on a regular guitar, because the bar rests on all of them at once. If one string is much looser, the bar can push it out of tune or let it buzz. That's why lap steel sets are gauged for a specific tuning rather than borrowed from a guitar set. See our lap steel strings guide.
We wouldn't say a heavier set makes chords sound bigger by itself. Bar weight, pick attack, pickup, amp and the instrument all shape the sound.
How to Choose Strings for C6 Lap Steel
- Count your strings. 6-string and 8-string lap steels need different sets.
- Confirm your tuning. A set gauged for C6 won't be balanced in A6 or E13.
- Choose your surface feel. Our Scotty's sets use Silencer semi-flat wound strings, which have a smoother surface under the bar.
- Check the string ends for your bridge. See are lap steel strings ball end or loop end?
Our C6 Lap Steel String Options
Scotty's Non-Pedal / Lap Steel Strings, C6 6-String (SC6C6TH)
Good starting point for: 6-string lap steels tuned C E G A C E.
- Gauges (high to low): .015 (E), .018 (C), .022 plain (A), .024 (G), .030 (E), .036 (C)
- Silencer semi-flat wound strings, made with an inverse winding process that compresses the outer wrap
- Made with Dewitt "Scotty" Scott and his shop, Scotty's Music
Scotty's Non-Pedal / Lap Steel Strings, C6 8-String (SC8C6TH)
Good starting point for: 8-string lap steels tuned G A C E G A C E.
- Gauges (high to low): .015 (E), .018 (C), .022 (A), .024 (G), .030 (E), .036 (C), .042 (A), .054 (G)
- Silencer semi-flat wound strings on the wound strings
Using a different tuning? We also make Scotty's sets for A6, E13 and E7. See all lap steel strings.
When Chords Sound Out of Tune
- Bar position: the bar must sit right over the fret marker. Slightly behind or past it makes every string sharp or flat.
- Bar pressure: pressing too hard pushes strings sharp.
- A string out of pitch: one off-pitch string spoils every chord that uses it. Retune with the bar off.
- Worn strings: old strings can lose clarity under the bar and make tuning harder. See how to tell when strings are worn out.
- New strings settling: retune often for the first few sessions. See how to restring a lap steel.
Final Thoughts
C6 gives you major, minor and 6th chords with one straight bar and a choice of strings. Learn three string groups, learn where the I, IV and V sit, and you can play through most simple songs in any key.
From there, slants and partial grips add the dominant 7ths and color chords. Start with the two-string grip above, keep the bar light, and let your ear guide the final position.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords can you play in C6 lap steel tuning?
With a straight bar: major chords (strings 6, 5 and 4), minor chords (strings 3, 2 and 1) and 6th chords (all strings), at every fret.
What are the notes in C6 lap steel tuning?
On 6-string: C E G A C E, low to high. On our 8-string set: G A C E G A C E.
Where is the G chord on a C6 lap steel?
At the 7th fret. Strings 6, 5 and 4 give G B D.
Where is the F chord on a C6 lap steel?
At the 5th fret, on strings 6, 5 and 4.
How do I play a minor chord on lap steel in C6?
Play strings 3, 2 and 1. Open, that's A minor. Each fret raises it a half step, so D minor is at the 5th fret and E minor is at the 7th.
Can you play 7th chords on a C6 lap steel?
Minor 7th chords, yes: the 6th chord position doubles as the minor 7th a step and a half lower. Dominant 7ths need a slanted bar or a partial grip, like the rootless two-string grip in this guide.
Why do my lap steel chords sound out of tune?
Often it's bar position or pressure. Keep the bar directly over the fret marker with light pressure, and make sure each open string is in tune.
Do I put the bar on the fret or behind it?
Directly over the fret marker. On a lap steel, the bar takes the place of the fret.
Does this chord chart work on an 8-string lap steel?
Yes. On our 8-string C6 tuning, strings 1 to 6 match a 6-string C6 exactly. The two extra low strings add a G and A under the chord.
Does this chart work for A6 tuning?
No. A6 uses different notes and string positions, so the string groups are different.
Is C6 good for beginners?
It's a practical place to start because major, minor and 6th chords are all available with a straight bar.
Do I need special strings for C6?
A set gauged for C6 keeps the tension even across the strings, which helps the bar sit cleanly. Our Scotty's C6 sets come in 6-string and 8-string.
