| POLL: Is this a dumb idea? |
| Yes |
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53% |
[ 16 ] |
| No |
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46% |
[ 14 ] |
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| Total Votes : 30 |
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| Author |
Topic: Here's An Idea - Opinions? |
John Booth
From:
Columbus Ohio, USA
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Posted 20 Oct 2015 10:26 am |
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OK,
I was always taught to hold my bar with my index finger arched onto its back. I believe this came from
Dewitt Scotts book.
For a while I just laid my index finger flat along the top of the bar but it causes me cramps in my hand when
I do that too long, so I'm doing it the right way again.
Thing is, if you look at my picture below, what if the bar had a little area shaved out (simulated by my red dot)
that the tip of ones index finger seats in slightly. Seems to me that would give you better control of the bar,
as well as help new players get used to holding the bar correctly.
It might even assist (slightly) in the vertical movement of the bar.
Opinions?
JB in Ohio
_________________
Jb in Ohio
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GFI S10 Ultra, Telecaster, a Hound Dog, and an Annoyed Wife
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Posted 20 Oct 2015 10:37 am
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I don't think I'd care for that because then the bar would have to be held with exactly the same surface contacting the strings each time. Right now, it can rotate 360 degrees with no difference, and no worries.
I'm not going to vote because I'm not prepared to label your idea "dumb" but I'll be curious to see what other folks think...
_________________
www.JimCohen.com
www.RonstadtRevue.com
www.BeatsWalkin.com |
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John Booth
From:
Columbus Ohio, USA
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Posted 20 Oct 2015 10:40 am
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LOL, good point. I'm not ready to try this on my old 60s Emmons bar just yet, but I might try it on one of my Ernie Ball spares just to see if it works.
JB
_________________
Jb in Ohio
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GFI S10 Ultra, Telecaster, a Hound Dog, and an Annoyed Wife
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Bo Borland
From:
South Jersey -
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Posted 20 Oct 2015 10:48 am
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I wouldn't change the bar , just place your finger in that approximate spot and play on ..
ps i voted dumb idea.  |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 20 Oct 2015 11:10 am
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Not dumb. I had Jim Burden make this one for me a few years back when I was having some grip problems. As I recall, it worked pretty good. Hard stainless, so I don't think there would be any problems from fixed contact.
I only sold it later because my issues were corrected and I wasn't using it anymore. Rolling the plain round one for vibrato is actually more intuitive than with a fixed finger position dimple for me.
I sold this one to Redd Volkaert and he loved it...even ordered another one I think, so it depends on the player and the situation. Definitely....not dumb.
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John Swain
From:
Winchester, Va
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Posted 20 Oct 2015 11:12 am
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| Personally I wouldn't alter the bar but I would slide my grip up so your left hand middle finger blocks high strings when pulling back. I think having the tip of middle finger on the bar that way is personal preference, no "correct" way. IMHO |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Posted 20 Oct 2015 11:13 am
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| Jerry Overstreet wrote: |
| Hard stainless, so I don't think there would be any problems from fixed contact. |
To be clear, my concern about 'fixed contact' wasn't wear on the bar surface. It's more about being able to roll the bar for vibrato, and - probably even more - to pick it up and put it down on any surface at any time, without worrying about which end is up.
But I defer to your experience with such a bar, Jerry. I have only my imagination to go on, not experience.
_________________
www.JimCohen.com
www.RonstadtRevue.com
www.BeatsWalkin.com |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 20 Oct 2015 11:22 am
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| Sure Jim. As playing a bar in one contact position has been discussed here before, my comment about the bar composition was just a general statement to anyone concerned about that and not particularly directed toward your comments. If you notice, I agreed with you re: the restriction |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 20 Oct 2015 12:09 pm
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I have my index finger over the side of the bar like that, but the end of the finger goes about halfway between the top of the bar and the strings. I have absolutely no issues with rolling or sliding vibrato. Easier to pick up the bar too. I also find myself, at times, using the finger to mute a string that I don't want to ring, that is between two strings that I want to ring. An example would be to play strings 3,4 & 5, and want just strings 3 & 5 to keep ringing, I will drop my finger on string 4 to stop it from sounding.
_________________
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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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 21 Oct 2015 5:07 am Re: Here's An Idea - Opinions?
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| John Booth wrote: |
OK,
I was always taught to hold my bar with my index finger arched onto its back. I believe this came from
Dewitt Scotts book.
For a while I just laid my index finger flat along the top of the bar but it causes me cramps in my hand when
I do that too long, so I'm doing it the right way again.
|
That's counter-intuitive. One would think that the pressure maintaining that reverse arch on your finger would be more stressing than just laying your finger one the top of the bar? Evidently, there's something else going on. At any rate, just do what's comfortable for you, as long as it doesn't hold you back. Different people have different physiologies, so there really is no right or wrong.  |
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Lee Baucum
From:
McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier
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Posted 21 Oct 2015 9:41 am
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I've always been intrigued by the way Bobbe Seymour (RIP) held the bar. Here is a link to him playing, back before he accidentally removed a digit.
Click Here |
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John Booth
From:
Columbus Ohio, USA
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Posted 21 Oct 2015 9:59 am
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Holy Smoke !
My world has just been expanded by light years.
_________________
Jb in Ohio
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GFI S10 Ultra, Telecaster, a Hound Dog, and an Annoyed Wife
.................................. |
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Jeff Harbour
From:
Western Ohio, USA
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Posted 21 Oct 2015 11:32 am
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My main gig bar is a sitar bar that I bought from Bobbe's store, which has about a 1/4" flat strip along the entire length. Naturally, for normal steel playing my index finger grips the flat strip. This seems to me to be similar to your proposal.
Honestly though, I have another identical bar without the flat strip (also from Bobbe) that I use at home, and I never notice a difference while I'm playing (except that when I let go it doesn't roll very far... but I guess I don't do that 'while' I'm playing).
So, I would vote that it won't negatively affect anything.
Jeff H. |
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Ronnie Boettcher
From:
Brunswick Ohio, USA
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Posted 21 Oct 2015 11:42 am
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Why not just go buy a long dobro bar? Problem solved.
_________________
Sho-Bud LDG, Martin D28, Ome trilogy 5 string banjo, Ibanez 4-string bass, dobro, fiddle, and a tubal cain. Life Member of AFM local 142 |
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Dale Rottacker
From:
Walla Walla Washington, USA
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Frank De Vincenzo
From:
The Garden State
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Posted 21 Oct 2015 12:37 pm
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Hiya, John
Give Steve Gunder at SDF Tone Bars a call-(785)608-0207.
He has made custom cut bars for me because of limited feeling in my hands. He's a good ole boy who will treat you right.
Take care now,
Frank
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JusticeJudge |
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John Scanlon
From:
Jackson, Mississippi, USA
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Posted 23 Oct 2015 8:09 am
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It may not be for everyone, but it's quite obviously not "dumb;" just go ask any user of a stevens bar or any other dobro / lap steel bar that basically utilizes this concept already. Millions sold, I'm sure.
_________________
Click here for the Index to Mickey Adams's YouTube video lessons
Insert impressive gear list here. |
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Tom Gorr
From:
Three Hills, Alberta
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Posted 23 Oct 2015 8:50 am
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Maybe it is bad technique. Who is to judge. .... but I have seen others do it too.... I dont put my index finger straight across the top of the bar. I find a natural ergonomic angle for my wrist and whatever the angle is that my finger crosses over on the bar is the most comfortable one.
When at fret 1 that is quite a stretch and kink for the wrist muscles if the finger is perfectly aligned with the bar. Finding a comfortable middle ground makes playing easier and perhaps even helps intonation.
Yes that Bobbe Seymour video is a real cool example of natural effortless left hand technique. It just works with the mechanics of his arm. I think THAT is the goal. .. effortless.
With the natural angle philosophy in mind I personally couldn't see any benefit to routing out parts of the bar. However. .. for plsyers who play in the manner described by the OP it may aid comfort. |
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Peter den Hartogh
From:
Cape Town, South Africa
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Posted 23 Oct 2015 10:02 am
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I just hold my bar between my middle finger and thumb.
The flat end of the bar is tucked in the fold where my thumb meets the hand for better control.
My index finger is not relevant. It just relaxes on top. |
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