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Topic: Playing the Fret ZERO Position |
Dennis Saydak
From:
Manitoba, Canada
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Posted 16 Feb 2011 2:42 pm |
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What is the "normal" way to play the fret zero position, that is if there is one? Or does it depend on what you are playing or your bar handling ability? I can see three possible ways of doing it and I'm having problems with all of them.
1) Lift the bar completely off the strings.
2) Place the bar on the strings directly over the rollers.
3) Move the bar behind the zero position.
In all cases, vibrato doesn't enter the picture.
_________________
Dennis
Just when you think you're getting ahead in the rat race, the rats get faster. |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 16 Feb 2011 3:49 pm
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I use the zero position a lot. Both with and without pedals, hammers and pull offs, unison strings etc. My method is to pick it up off the strings completely. I tend to roll my hand over slightly ccw toward the thumb and squeeze the bar tighter with the thumb and fingers, pushing the thumb further underneath the bar.
If I'm going to be off the strings for a longer time, I rotate the hand a little more and let the bar rest sort of in the palm.
This works for me and I use pretty heavy bars.
It just takes practice like every other aspect of steel playing.
It does depend on what you're playing and one's bar handling ability as you suggest. |
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Pete Burak
From:
Portland, OR USA
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Posted 16 Feb 2011 4:21 pm
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| On my Sierra keyless I was able to play right on top of fret zero and even use vibrato (the top of the guaged rollers are flush with the top of the strings, but I finally decided to tune to Eb and use fret one as my Open-E, Open-A, (etc.) position. |
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Ken Metcalf
From:
San Antonio Texas USA
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Posted 16 Feb 2011 4:28 pm
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I seem to favor the one when the bar goes flying across the stage and hits a mike stand...
BOOM !
 
_________________
MSA 12 String E9th/B6th Universal.
Little Walter PF-89.
Bunch of stomp boxes |
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Dennis Saydak
From:
Manitoba, Canada
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Posted 16 Feb 2011 4:41 pm
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Thanks guys. 
Can someone point me to a video where the musican is playing the open position? An appropriate video can certainly help me here.
_________________
Dennis
Just when you think you're getting ahead in the rat race, the rats get faster. |
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Pete Burak
From:
Portland, OR USA
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Posted 16 Feb 2011 4:45 pm
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Jeff Newman used to play Okie from Muskogee all in the open position without a bar.
Anybody got video of that? |
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Larry Bell
From:
Englewood, Florida
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Posted 16 Feb 2011 7:01 pm
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Perhaps even better is Julian Tharpe's arrangement of Danny Boy
Julian used his bar hand to mute unneeded notes with the bar kinda tucked into his hand, as I recall. I do the same.
_________________
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
My CD's: 'I've Got Friends in COLD Places' - 'Pedal Steel Guitar'
2021 Rittenberry S/D-12 8x7, 1976 Emmons S/D-12 7x6, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Quilter ToneBlock 202 TT-12 |
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James Maxwell
From:
Ohio, USA
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J D Sauser
From:
Wellington, Florida
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Posted 17 Feb 2011 8:57 am Re: Playing the Fret ZERO Position
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| Dennis Saydak wrote: |
What is the "normal" way to play the fret zero position, that is if there is one? Or does it depend on what you are playing or your bar handling ability? I can see three possible ways of doing it and I'm having problems with all of them.
1) Lift the bar completely off the strings.
2) Place the bar on the strings directly over the rollers.
3) Move the bar behind the zero position.
In all cases, vibrato doesn't enter the picture. |
I think, that depending on what's being played (a pull-off or a gliss), #1 & #3 would seem the most appropriate.
#2 would seem to create a risk of buzzing noises.
About #3:
Jerry Byrd is actually said to have objected to Fender steel guitars in part because he felt that the 1st and 8th string keys were too close to the nut to allow him to safely slide off it and "park" his bar and hand behind it.
PSG players tuning to JI need to be aware that some pedal/lever inversions may sound considerably out of tune (against a band) at the nut... Eg: The A-pedal & E-to-F-lever C# chord has a flattened root (the A-pedaled C#) which is usually tuned flattened 3rd to the A&B-pedaled A-chord.
... J-D.
_________________
__________________________________________________________
Was it JFK who said: Ask Not What TAB Can Do For You - Rather Ask Yourself "What Would B.B. King Do?"
A Little Mental Health Warning:
Tablature KILLS SKILLS.
The uses of Tablature is addictive and has been linked to reduced musical fertility.
Those who produce Tablature did never use it.
I say it humorously, but I mean it. |
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Ian Sutton
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 17 Feb 2011 3:12 pm
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| Ken Metcalf wrote: |
I seem to favor the one when the bar goes flying across the stage and hits a mike stand...
BOOM !
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I landed my bar square into my beer glass on stage a couple weeks ago. Completely exploding the glass, and making my bar sticky in the process. Good times. |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 17 Feb 2011 3:23 pm
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| Quote: |
| I landed my bar square into my beer glass on stage a couple weeks ago. Completely exploding the glass, and making my bar sticky in the process. |
The real sad part of that is the loss of beer.  
On topic: I lift and separate. No, that's my Playtex bra.
But seriously, I lift just before the bar hits the rollers. I generally don't like playing in the open position because of the lack of control (vibrato etc...) unless doing hammer on's and pull offs.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting. |
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Joey Ace
From:
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 19 Feb 2011 4:23 am
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I lift the bar.
Here's a live video of me playing "Somebody Touched Me' one-handed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q97DZs1l208
It's done for visual effect, so I can raise my hand to the heavens. |
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Jerry Roller
From:
Van Buren, Arkansas USA
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Posted 19 Feb 2011 10:26 am
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Dennis, if I come to a place where I need open strings with pedals down there are times I do use a vibrado by using the left hand pinky and ring finger a gently press and release the strings behind the nut. This helps if your guitar has any cabinet drop and you hear a slightly flat sounding chord.
Jerry |
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Harry Dove
From:
Michigan, USA
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Posted 19 Feb 2011 2:27 pm
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| I think Joe Wright is the best I have ever seen at playing in the open position. As Joe does, he will be turned around acting like he is doing something else. You wouldn't know he was playing if you didn't look at his right hand. All the while bringin' smoke on the speed picking. If you ever get a chance to see him do it, you will have all the example you need. |
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Dennis Saydak
From:
Manitoba, Canada
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Posted 19 Feb 2011 2:58 pm
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Thanks again guys. Last March I attended my first steel guitar show (Wisconsin Dairy Steel Show. Joe Wright was a featured performer. I was so overwhelmed by all the talent that it was hard to concentrate on the techniques dispalyed. This year I'll be a little more attentive to them.
I would also like to take this opportunity to convey my condolences to the families of those performers I was fortunate to see who have since passed away. I pray 2011 will be a better year in that regard.
_________________
Dennis
Just when you think you're getting ahead in the rat race, the rats get faster. |
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Gordon Hartin
From:
Durham, NC
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Posted 19 Feb 2011 3:36 pm
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Dennis,
I would watch the video of David Hartley playing Dirty Little Town one youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ks4kAL7rMo he lifts the bar up in the first 14 seconds and throughout the rest of the song.
Gordon |
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Dennis Saydak
From:
Manitoba, Canada
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Posted 20 Feb 2011 8:02 am
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| Gordon Hartin wrote: |
Dennis,
I would watch the video of David Hartley playing Dirty Little Town one youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ks4kAL7rMo he lifts the bar up in the first 14 seconds and throughout the rest of the song.
Gordon |
Gordon, that's exactly what I was looking for.
I'm a big fan of Mr. Hartley but I never viewed that video before because I didn't recognize the song title. He has so much to choose from. David makes everything look so easy, and natural.
_________________
Dennis
Just when you think you're getting ahead in the rat race, the rats get faster. |
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Steve Alcott
From:
New York, New York, USA
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Posted 20 Feb 2011 10:15 am
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| That is some seriously fine playing. |
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Larry Bressington
From:
Nebraska
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Posted 20 Feb 2011 2:42 pm
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I run my left hand fingers down the strings past the rollers to prevent the bar from rolling out of my hand and into the outer space. 
_________________
A.K.A Chappy. |
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