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Topic: Help with new Lap Steel |
Kenneth Floyd
From:
Stafford Texas, USA
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Posted 28 Mar 2012 9:18 am |
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I am a new member to the forum. I hsve purchased a SX lap steel from rondo music and really enjoy it.I dont know anything about a steel guitar. It just something I have always wanted to do. I did take some lessons way back when in high school and has always stayed with me. I purchased a dunlop #918 steel bar,picks, and a roland cube 20 watt amp. I am using Mel Bay C6th by Dewitt Scott lesson method. It seems ok but kinda hard to read small print. I do have a few questions:
Do I use certain fingers to pick the 6 strings? I want to try and avoid some bad habits.
Should I just study notes, chords and scales and forget the songs. It is kinda dificult right now to know where to place steel bar, read the note and pick the correct string. In time, this will all come togeather.
I have a single coil pickup and it is 3/8" from the pickup. I did put on new strings. Should the p/u be maybe closer to strings. The amp has lots of hum but I have read that this is kinda normal thing.
Any thoughts, comments or just anything will be aapreciated. Thanks |
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Jerome Hawkes
From:
Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 28 Mar 2012 10:38 am
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i would go to youtube.com and punch "steel guitar lessons" or "lap steel lessons" in the search box and go from there - you have to weed through the good and bad but its a good way to get an overview of the instrument for a complete beginner.
that will at least get you started
i think George Pilburn has some good videos and a DVD for beginners
btw, i would learn SONGS...
_________________
'65 Sho-Bud D-10 Permanent • '54 Fender Dual-8 • Clinesmith T-8 • '38 Ric Bakelite • '92 Emmons D-10 Legrande II |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 28 Mar 2012 12:17 pm
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If there was ever a need for a sticky in Sw/oP it's a direct link for Jerry Byrd's course w/video http://scottysmusic.com/byrd.htm
Nobody addresses the issues like it is here.
The last time I checked, even Scotty's book omits THE most basic fundemental, how to correctly hold and manipulate the bar. After knowing how to hold your body parts and the guitar, holding the bar is paramount. Bypassing this leads the student down the wrong path right from the start. Most of the videos on youtube merely provide their ways of doing things, usuially not the best ways. Start with Jerry, then all else will be in proper perspective.
Kenneth, the typical fingers for string attack are the index and middle, plus the thumb. Adding the ring finger can be beneficial but not usually needed.
PU heighth = great tone, varies on every guitar, but the sweet spot will be found between 1/8 and 1/4 in general.
With single coils there will usually be some hum, but "lot's" may signify a problem in grounding or worse.
Last edited by Ron Whitfield on 28 Mar 2012 12:38 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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James Quillian
From:
San Antonio, Texas, USA
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Posted 28 Mar 2012 12:36 pm
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| I went through Dewitt’s C6 book. There are some advantages in using it. The Tab matches the sound clips. If you finish this book, you will have the basics you need to study some other stuff. Stay with that book. IMO, the best way to learn from the TAB/CD format is to rip the CD files to an MP3 format. Then use a sound edit program to cut out the voice so that you have a concise version of each sound clip. Put the concise MP3 files matching the tab you are looking at on and MP3 player. Listen to the sound until you start humming it in your sleep. Then play the tab that goes with the sound clip. It is easy to learn if your mind knows the tune you are working on. This is a lot of trouble to go to but it works. Use a thumb pick on your thumb and two metal finger picks on the two fingers closest to your thumb. In a little time your mind will likely find the most efficient way to pick the strings. |
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Stephen Cowell
From:
Round Rock, Texas, USA
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Posted 28 Mar 2012 12:39 pm
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3/8" is way too far from the strings... 1/8 is more like it.
I don't even use picks... some use a thumbpick with no finger picks... others use a flatpick with or without fingerpicks. No wrong way to do it, if it gets done.
Sounds like you should find an instructor or method and stick to it. Good luck! |
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Jean-Sebastien Gauthier
From:
Quebec, Canada
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Posted 28 Mar 2012 3:43 pm
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| A very good start is the Cindy Cashdollar's dvds. Try to find a teacher when you will be more advance, steel guitar is for sure the hardest instrument but also the best when well played. |
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Kenneth Floyd
From:
Stafford Texas, USA
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Posted 30 Mar 2012 2:11 pm Help with new steel
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| I want to thank everyone for all the information you have given me. It will be of great help. |
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Herb Steiner
From:
Spicewood TX 78669
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Posted 30 Mar 2012 7:15 pm
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A million questions can be answered with only a few private lessons from a competent teacher. He could immediately show you correct body positioning and many other things. Try to find a good player and invest in some 1 on 1 instruction.
_________________
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.
Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? |
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