Hank Thompson's signature riff

billchav · From: Houston, TX USA

Which player is credited with originating the [four note? riff] or the volume swell
and why is one preferred over the other.{I did a search with no results]. Bill

John Steele · From: Renfrew, Ontario, Canada

I vote for PeeWee Whitewing !
Good question, Bill
-John

Jason Odd · From: Stawell, Victoria, Australia

Ralph "Lefty" Nason who recorded with Hank from about 1947 to about 1951 when Curly Chalker came in.

Gene Jones · From: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)

*

[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 01 May 2002 at 04:11 PM.]

billchav · From: Houston, TX USA

Thanks fellas. I too thought it was "Lefty", especially since he lived in my area at one time, but I never got to meet him. John, it was good to see you again, but not over the suds this time,ha. www.billchaviers.com

Tim Rowley · From: Pinconning, MI, USA

I agree, it was Lefty Nason who thought up that lick because Hank himself told me it was Lefty. But Hank had a number of great steel guitarists down through the years. Guys like Pee Wee Whitewing, Curly Chalker, Bob White, Bobby Garrett of course, and Bert Rivera. Hank will tell you that each of these top-notch musicians contributed in part to the development of his cumulative "signature sound". One thing is certain: Hank sure had a lot of hits and sold a lot of records in his 7-decade (to date) career and those steel guitar licks helped him to do it.

Tim R.

Jason Odd · From: Stawell, Victoria, Australia

Let's not forget Dusty Stewart (sometimes spelt Stuart); I did and just got an email reminding me that Dusty came in between Curly and Lefty.
*inexplicably Dusty has been credited on certain compilations as a steel player on Thompson transcriptions as late as 1952, despite Chalker having played on a Thompson session by late '51, and Pee Wee Whitewing recalling that Curly was still with Hank when Pee Wee himself joined, not on twin steel, but to coach Pee Wee before Curly left.

Gene, you guys were devoted fans!

billchav · From: Houston, TX USA

Thanks to all responses. I have received questions about this lick, but frankly I never used it. I would appreciate someone that uses it to explain how it was done in order that new players can successfully [tastefully] use it to enhance their playing. www.billchaviers.com

Gene Jones · From: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)

*

[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 01 May 2002 at 04:12 PM.]

Mark Durante · From: St. Pete Beach FL

Does anyone know exactly how Bob did those chimes?

Jim Smith · From: Midlothian, TX, USA

Very well!

Mark Durante · From: St. Pete Beach FL

Everybody's a comedian! Can anyone EXPLAIN exactly how it's done

Ricky Davis · From: Bertram, Texas USA

Here's one.



E________________


C__8*~~8~~8~~8~~9


A__8*~~8~~8~~8~~9


G__8*~~8~~8~~8~~9


E__8*~~8~~8~~8~~9


C________________


   []  +  +  +~~~

(*)means harmonics; and this particular lick is done with palm harmonics while doing a thumb rake.
[]means closed volume pedal.
+ means open or pump open the volume pedal.
This certain lick is done in "A" and it's a half fret slide from 8th fret(Ab)to the 9th fret(A) on the C6th tuning.
With the bar on 8th fret; you do a thumb rake with the side of pickin' hand lightly touching the 20th fret to create the Octive harmonics(if you only catch two or three strings; make sure it's the top two or three).
That is done with closed(no)volume; then pump open and closed three times on 8th fret; then on the third one, leave open and slide to 9th fret.
Have fun.

------------------
Ricky Davis

My Homepage
Rebel™ and Ricky's Audio Clips
www.mightyfinemusic.com
Email Ricky: sshawaiian@aol.com

Gene Jones · From: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)

*

[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 01 May 2002 at 04:13 PM.]

Mark Durante · From: St. Pete Beach FL

Ricky,
Thanks, but even I know that one

I was thinking of the three harmonic chords that Bob used typically at the end of a phrase on the more ballad type of songs, how 'bout that one?
Good seeing you play with Redd in Austin during SXSW on that Sho-Bud

[This message was edited by Mark Durante on 26 April 2002 at 05:07 PM.]

Jim Smith · From: Midlothian, TX, USA

For that one, the bar stays in one position. Chime the same strings as Ricky's example (3-6) 12 frets above the bar, then 7 frets above, then 5 frets above. So for the chime in F with the bar at the 5th fret, chime at the 17th, 12th, and 10th frets.

There's a similar one where you chime once but move the bar. Again in F, start with the bar at the 5th fret. Work the volume the same as Ricky's example again. With the volume off, chime at the 17th fret, open and close the volume pedal. Move the bar to the 12th fret, open and close the volume pedal. Move the bar to the 17th fret, and open the volume pedal.

Mark Durante · From: St. Pete Beach FL

Yeah Jim, that's it. The forum comes thru again. How much do I owe you?

And what fast service!

Jim Smith · From: Midlothian, TX, USA

Not bad for a "comedian", huh!

billchav · From: Houston, TX USA

Thanks Jim and to all that sent me e-mails explaining in a way that I never could the different ways this lick could be accomplished. Most of all; thank you b0b for giving all of us the opportunity to learn from others. www.billchaviers.com

Bill Stafford · From: Gulfport,Ms. USA

Which one of those guys did the intro to "Crying In the Deep Blue Sea"?

Bill Stafford

Paul Graupp · From: Macon Ga USA

Something I learned from Bob at SomePlaceElse was at the very last sound in a song, he would take the little finger tip on his right hand and pull it back over the strings from high to low, usually in groups of four: The first four strings, second four strings etc. I only recently went back to this signature effect of his and I'm really enjoying it all over again.

Regards, Paul

Jussi Huhtakangas · From: Helsinki, Finland

Hank recorded "Cryin' In The Deep Blue Sea" twice. On the first version, it was Curley Chalker and if my memory serves me right, it was Bob White on the second.
Jussi

Bill Stafford · From: Gulfport,Ms. USA

Thanks for that info. Just what I was thinking too. Had to be one of those guys.
That was one of the best steel intros that never gets mentioned. And you can do it without pedals too.

Bill Stafford

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