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Post new topic Harp-like Picking on Steel Guitar
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Author Topic:  Harp-like Picking on Steel Guitar
Doug Beaumier


From:
Northampton, MA
Post  Posted 25 Oct 2010 8:31 am    
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Here's an interesting "harp-like" technique I've been experimenting with lately. I've seen Alvino Rey play this style and I'm wondering how many other players use this technique. It's basically strumming forward with the thumb pick and then back with the fingerpick(s). Click on the link below. The video is not the best quality, but it give you an idea of the technique I'm referring to. I'm playing it on pedal steel, but the technique works on non-pedal too.

-----> YouTube Clip
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J. Wilson


From:
Manitoba, Canada
Post  Posted 25 Oct 2010 8:53 am    
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Neat! Great for an Alkire and other 8+ string guitars but you don't get quite the same feel from a 6 string! LOL!

Then again, maybe a bit of analog delay, some 'verb and you'd get close....
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Rick Collins

 

From:
Claremont , CA USA
Post  Posted 25 Oct 2010 8:55 am    
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On a movie sound track I could imagine it, Doug.
Maybe too, on an intro. to some tunes.

Did you try it without picks?
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Ron Whitfield

 

From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
Post  Posted 25 Oct 2010 9:11 am    
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I use the side of my right pinky for similar harp/brushing effects.
Good post, Doug.
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Doug Beaumier


From:
Northampton, MA
Post  Posted 25 Oct 2010 7:46 pm    
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Thanks guys. I tried playing this without picks and it sounds more mellow... but I'm so used to picks, I can't play much on steel without them. Old habits are hard to break. Winking

In this clip I'm playing 6/9 chords. Pedal B (G# to A) and the knee lever that lowers string 2, D# to D. So the open chord produced is D6/9 (across all 10 strings). I'm starting with the bar on fret 6, so that's G#6/9 across all 10 strings.
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ed packard

 

From:
Show Low AZ
Post  Posted 26 Oct 2010 6:33 am     Harps
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Horizontal Harp...14 strings, short form.





The early PSGs were called harps...Nashville did not like that.
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Doug Beaumier


From:
Northampton, MA
Post  Posted 26 Oct 2010 7:15 pm    
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yes, and there was the Gibson ElectraHarp and the Alkire Eharp (non-pedal)
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Andy Volk


From:
Boston, MA
Post  Posted 27 Oct 2010 2:05 am    
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I've always wondered why I've never heard anyone play Lenny Breau-style harp harmonics on steel. I've never been able to get much speed going but it would seem that more strings would offer even longer harmonic runs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b6Gt0hZp3M
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Doug Beaumier


From:
Northampton, MA
Post  Posted 27 Oct 2010 6:22 am    
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Chet Atkins played similar harp runs on guitar. It sounded like a piano playing scales, fast! I think it would be tough to pull that off on steel (no pun). Cool
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Mike Neer


From:
NJ
Post  Posted 27 Oct 2010 6:33 am    
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Andy Volk wrote:
I've always wondered why I've never heard anyone play Lenny Breau-style harp harmonics on steel. I've never been able to get much speed going but it would seem that more strings would offer even longer harmonic runs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b6Gt0hZp3M


I've worked on it a bit but it is so limited and so reliant on the tuning you're using. It is hard to get anything interesting going on that is movable, other than kora-like patterns, because you don't have the left hand fingers to work with and it is extremely difficult to block the sliding sound other than lifting the bar.
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Doug Beaumier


From:
Northampton, MA
Post  Posted 27 Oct 2010 7:53 am    
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A lot of cool Guitar techniques just don't translate well to steel guitar... as much as we would like them to! Smile We've touched on this a bit in other threads. On the bright side, a lot of cool steel guitar sounds can't be had on a guitar. Cool
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Mike Neer


From:
NJ
Post  Posted 27 Oct 2010 7:59 am    
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Doug Beaumier wrote:
A lot of cool Guitar techniques just don't translate well to steel guitar... as much as we would like them to! Smile We've touched on this a bit in other threads. On the bright side, a lot of cool steel guitar sounds can't be had on a guitar. Cool


True dat!
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HowardR


From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
Post  Posted 30 Oct 2010 8:39 am    
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BTW.......A plug for Doug


Doug will be playing this Saturday at the PSGA show in Norwalk, CT.......I'm assuming pedal steel only (correct me if I'm wrong)......if you're within driving distance it's well worth it to see this show.....Doug is a master with wonderful tone & technique, and very creative in his approach to music.....
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Doug Beaumier


From:
Northampton, MA
Post  Posted 30 Oct 2010 8:22 pm    
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Thanks Howard, much appreciated! Yes, I'll be playing on Saturday, the 6th, at 12:40, on pedal steel. I'm looking forward to it.
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