Jerry Byrd's Vibrato

Alan Brookes · From: Brummy living in Southern California

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAQL4UeI4Ig

When asked how much tromolo to add, Jerry was reputed to have replied, "Imagine you were using a pencil with an eraser."

But watch the above video. I don't know whether it's because of the platform the group are standing on, weak legs, or what, but as Jerry plays his entire steel console is swaying lengthwise. That must have some effect on his tone.

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

THAT........was the same problem I ALWAYS experienced whenever I attempted to stand up and play. I managed to do it once on television but never have since that time.

SHAKING..........of the guitar is a distraction to me.

Allen Hutchison · From: Kilcoy, Qld, Australia

My steel tutor sorted this problem out by adding a quick release plywood board to the front legs.
This stops nearly all of the shaking & serves as either a vanity screen, advertising or band name opportunity!
It's held in place with pipe brackets & wing nuts for ease of transport.
I'll try to get & add a photo here for those who may be interested after my next lesson on Tuesday. Very Happy

Alan Brookes · From: Brummy living in Southern California

Maybe it adds something to the tone. Maybe it's better to leave it alone. If I could get the tone that Jerry and Ray get I would be more than happy.

Jerome Hawkes · From: Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA

I like the movement myself on non- pedal. I hate any cab movement on pedals however.
I think it gives a little natural freeness to the sound. It worked well, IMO, for the kind of style Jerry had - wouldn't work for everything.

I would be more interested to know just when/why Jerry started playing standing up - it seems not until the mid 70s after his move. Most (console) performance pics of him previous show him seated or on a stool. I've seen pics of the circa early 70s Scotty Conv and he is still seated.
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Alan Brookes · From: Brummy living in Southern California

Jerry had an large undiagnosed kidney stone in his bladder for many years, which was too big to pass out. He eventually went to a more-competent doctor who removed it, and from then on Jerry was comfortable sitting down. I don't know whether that had anything to do with his playing position.

Paul Graupp · From: Macon Ga USA

Here is another clip from the same series but I think at the very beginning, it looks as if Jerry is sitting on some sort of stool. I can also see the motions you refer to but having watched this for many times, I can say I never noticed it physically as you have. I can hear nothing in his playing except Byrd Perfection.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXEP5DFDMM4

Regards, Paul

Paul Graupp · From: Macon Ga USA

But not moving here...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEzmJ41NEvY

b0b: Appreciate your Facebook comment on SAND !!

Regards, Paul

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

Any sort of diagonal bracing or board (as Allen mentioned) will do much to eliminate this problem. As to why it didn't bother Jerry? I think the real pros often have a way of focusing on playing, and mentally eliminating these sort of distractions. In the same way, many top athletes will "play through" a minor injury or physical problem, and still be able to supply world-class play when others would be home in bed recouperating.

If you focus on problems, then very soon that's all you'll see.

Alan Brookes · From: Brummy living in Southern California

You're right, Donny. Les Paul suffered awful rheumatoid arthritis in his hands and was in constant pain in his later life, but still played brilliantly. When asked how he could still play, his response was that when he was playing with his band he got so wrapped up in the music that he forgot about the discomfort.

Allen Hutchison · From: Kilcoy, Qld, Australia

Doh! sorry folks - I totally forgot to take my camera to lessons today.
But will get the pic's next week, as promised in my previous post.

Oh Well

rpetersen · From: Iowa

A little off topic, But I think Jerry always used his volume pedal in reverse (up for volume)
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Stephen Cowell · From: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Tremolo is done with picking... vibrato is done with the bar. Old argument, I know.

Watch carefully at 2:09... he starts the guitar wiggling *before* the bar moves on the string. Then he's wiggling the bar *counter* to the guitar's wiggling... it's like power-assisted vibrato. It also delays the onset of vibrato. His ring finger is anchored, that's what starts the guitar moving. The whole thing acts to slow down the vibrato and damp the onset of it.
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Paul Graupp · From: Macon Ga USA

In the cut of Kewalo Chimes, after sec 25, there is an effect probably from his Twin Reverb amp...not sure if they called that tremolo or vibrato ???

Regards, Paul

Jerome Hawkes · From: Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA

I get the impression, as Stephen points out, that Jerry used this console instability
for effect. One may, with sharp enough ears, even be able to detect a difference in his lap vs console vibrato. I don't have enough later recordings of him to make that judgement, but I can usually tell when he is playing the SB because the frypan he would keep in E9 and it was very distinctive sounding. I would theorize standing allows the player more freedom of movement - using the larger muscle groups more.

when I was first adapting Jerry's vibrato from the way I learned it on pedal steel (rolling the bar) - I noticed the fact that the entire arm/hand/instrument became 1 vibrato unit.

I was playing a friends lightweight "board style" lap steel and it constantly annoyed me for some reason. It occurred to me I liked the weight of a B6 - it stays put on your lap.
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Doug Beaumier · From: Northampton, MA

Jerry's vibrato was slightly different in his earlier career. It's all good IMO. Check out this clip from 1962 ---> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM7Vx2fm_Ig
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Alan Brookes · From: Brummy living in Southern California

Ron Whitfield · From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

I agree with you about tremolo and/or vibrato.

Roy Wiggins and other early day players used the tremolo as signature sounds.........

Violins, Cellos and even horn blowers, use vibrato to make otherwise dull notes, more melodic.

Where did the confusion about this first come up?

Stephen Cowell · From: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Alan Brookes · From: Brummy living in Southern California

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

Before you even consider answering this question, find an old Eddy Arnold tune, like "Bouquet of Roses", "Molly Darling", etc.

Definitely none of his later stuff with the sixty piece string orchestra.........

What late comers to steel guitar started calling "Ting-a-Ling"......after Roy Wiggins recorded the "Ting a Ling Man".......is the affect that Roy utilized constantly in just about every song on which he played, with Arnold and George Morgan.

THAT I was taught by professionals of the day as being a TREMELO.

Vibrato, as it was pounded into our heads by knowledgeable steel guitar teachers, was the wavy movement of the bar.

I'd suggest anyone that questions how JERRY BYRD used vibrato.........should take a look at the video's that Rick Aiello posted here a few days ago.
Seeing is believing. Forget all the guessing.

Allen Hutchison · From: Kilcoy, Qld, Australia

G'day all, so sorry to take this long getting back, but, as promised, here are the photos of my tutors quick release board that takes nearly all of the sway out of high set up legs.
One could use the plastic type electrical conduit clips in place of metal?
Plus use the space for band name/advertising etc. Smile

BTW, the lap steel was made buy Des Anthony, an excellent Brisbane luthier & fellow member of the Brisbane Steel Guitar Club.
Cheers, Allen.

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

Photo's on the JERRY BYRD - Fan Club.com site clearly shows JERRY standing to play when he was a much younger man.

Using an old National or Oahu type metal fold-up stand, Jerry is seen both sitting and standing.

I imagine stage presence had a lot to do with his choice.

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