| Visit Our Catalog at SteelGuitarShopper.com |

Post new topic Help with chimes
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Help with chimes
Wally Taylor

 

From:
Hardin, Kentucky, USA
Post  Posted 20 Oct 2010 8:09 pm    
Reply with quote

Ok, I have seen it done, heard about using the knuckle, but danged if I can do it. And where exactly on the fretboard does the chiming finger go?
I can do it a little at each 12th or half fretboard to the major chord with my palm, but it is hard to be consistant.
I love the sound of the chime, just don't know how to do it with the knuckle/pick. Crying or Very sad
Any info will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Wally
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Darrell Owens


From:
California, USA
Post  Posted 20 Oct 2010 9:39 pm    
Reply with quote

Wally,

Natural "chimes" also called "harmonics" occur at frets 12, 7 & 5. Begin without the bar and strike string 3 or 4 with your pick and tap that string with your little finger on your left hand at fret 12. When you get it right, your will hear the harmonic note. Frets 7 and 5 are more difficult, but you can get it.

Once you have the idea of a harmonic at the 12th fret, you can use your bar and strike the string with a pick and use either the palm of your hand, or your little finger on the right hand, behind the pick to "tap" or "chime" the string 12 frets UP from the bar position.

It is not about where you pick the string, but where you "tap" the harmonic that matters. Since most PSG players use finger picks, you have to find some part of your hand or finger that you can use to tap that string 12 frets up. The problem is, you cannot see "thru your hand" to see what you are doing, so you have to "memorize the distance" from the finger you are picking with to the finger you are tapping with and compensate for it.

Hope that helps - some. Good Luck.
_________________
Zum Steel, Little Walter Amp, Benado Steel Dream
Darrell Owens
www.darrellowens.com
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
David Nugent

 

From:
Gum Spring, Va.
Post  Posted 21 Oct 2010 3:52 am    
Reply with quote

If you receive "RFD TV" this may be of help. On the Marty Stuart Show last Saturday, guest Ray Price performed "A Way To Survive". The opening phrase to Gary Carter's solo was done entirely with harmonics and the camera showed his right hand technique very clearly.
View user's profile Send private message
Dan Moslander


From:
Central California USA
Post  Posted 21 Oct 2010 6:27 am     Chimes
Reply with quote

Hey, Wally thanks for asking that question. I've been wondering about that myself.
Darrell, thanks for the information, appreciate it very much......................Dan
_________________
The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God" Psa. 14:1

don't have a gear list...I'm broke
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 21 Oct 2010 7:35 am    
Reply with quote

Back before dirt when I was learning the steel guitar there would be a notation on Hawaiian music: "PH".
That stood for palm harmonic.
I learned to do harmonics with the side of my palm and thumb pick. Then I listened to Hank Thompson and the Brazos Valley Boys. His steel player would rake the strings at the 12 fret, 7th fret and 5th fret for effect. This was done with your little finger and thumb.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Bill Ford


From:
Graniteville SC Aiken
Post  Posted 21 Oct 2010 7:42 am    
Reply with quote

Wally, Check this thread..lots of info..Mickey rocks.

Bill

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=191758&highlight=harmonics+chimes
_________________
Bill Ford S12 CLR, S12 Lamar keyless, Misc amps&toys Sharp Covers
Steeling for Jesus now!!!
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Wally Taylor

 

From:
Hardin, Kentucky, USA
Post  Posted 24 Oct 2010 9:53 pm    
Reply with quote

Thanks everyone. Interesting video by Mick and it will give something to practice with.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Ken Metcalf


From:
San Antonio Texas USA
Post  Posted 25 Oct 2010 3:19 am    
Reply with quote

From the players view point, hold your little finger in a manor pointing towards yourself.
From this position it is easy to clearly see and place the finger on the fret you wish to strike the harmonic.
The harmonic is 12 frets up from the bar's position.
Practice playing scales with harmonics, ad nauseam.
That being said I use the edge of my palm and certain positions become favorites.
I can hit 3rd fret C easiest because I practice sleep walk.
It is a difficult thing to just hit consistently.
_________________
MSA 12 String E9th/B6th Universal.
Little Walter PF-89.
Bunch of stomp boxes
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Wally Taylor

 

From:
Hardin, Kentucky, USA
Post  Posted 25 Oct 2010 5:24 pm    
Reply with quote

Thanks Ken!
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
C Dixon

 

From:
Duluth, GA USA
Post  Posted 25 Oct 2010 9:07 pm    
Reply with quote

Point of interest.

Buddy Charleton told me many years ago, that he sat off and on a watched Buddy Emmons back stage at the GOO practice nothing but harmonics for hours and hours without stopping.

If you watch Buddy do it; with the knuckle of his right finger (I think it was his pinky but it might be his 3rd finger); folded back towards his self; picking the string with his thumb just to the left of his nuckled finger over the harmonic fret; he is flawless.

His haromonics are crystal clear and sharp, and as many years as I have seen him do it, I have NEVER seen him flub one. EVEN Jerry Byrd flubbed one now and then. But never seen Buddy do it.

I tried to learn it, but old "palm-blocking" habits; learned 60 yrs ago, just would not let me do it. Dag nabit! Mad

From what Buddy Charleton told me, I can see why.

Buddy was never satisfied until every manuever was perfect.

c.

_________________
A broken heart + †  = a new heart.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  
Please review our Forum Rules and Policies
Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction, and steel guitar accessories
www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

The Steel Guitar Forum
148 S. Cloverdale Blvd.
Cloverdale, CA 95425 USA

Click Here to Send a Donation

Email SteelGuitarForum@gmail.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for Band-in-a-Box
by Jim Baron