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Topic: The value of a teacher |
Edward Meisse
From:
Santa Rosa, California, USA
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Posted 13 Sep 2008 10:07 am |
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When I first began to seriously explore the lap steel, I read Jerry Byrd's book. Since I move around alot, I have since lost it. I need to get with Scotty for another copy. But Mr. Byrd says to put downward pressure on the bar with your index finger. For me this was counter intuitive. I couldn't figure out how to do it (believe it or not). As a result, my slants, particularly reverse slants, have been awkward and difficult. Suddenly, within the last couple of weeks it just happened to me. You have to relax the wrist (It may have said that in the book. But I didn't get it.). So now my slants are improving rapidly. And playing multiple stop passages is alot more fun. A teacher could have corrected this situation in a face to face lesson some years ago if I had sought one out.
But this raises another question for me. I'm still using the wrist for bar pressure on single string passages. Is this correct? Or do I need to adjust this technique also? The way I'm doing things currently calls for me to alter my bar grip between single string and multiple string passages.
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Amor vincit omnia |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 13 Sep 2008 3:28 pm Well now..........................
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I'm no teacher.....I was told early-on that I had no class. (I just had to do that!)
MY understanding is that pressure on the bar via a stiff wrist IS NOT the way to do it. As I see it, that would tend to immobilize one's best efforts.
The bar is held between the THUMB and the MIDDLE FINGER of the left hand. The INDEX FINGER on top also provides a stabalizing factor as well as, the pivoting control you need.
As I understand it, any pressure should be applied via the fingers BEHIND the bar. The TOP INDEX FINGER is merely a PIVOT point so that the bar can be readily manipulated.
That left hand and forearm must forever remain almost liquid in its flexibility.
In watching You Tube and other video posts, one can easily see a lot of rigidity in the hand of some players.
Does that make sense to you? Try this: C6th tuning on the 1st and 3rd strings. (E on top!) Place the tip of the bar on the 10th fret; the butt of the bar on the 9th fret.
Now, Slide the tip of the bar to a straight bar position on the 9th fret; pause, then slide the tip of the bar down to the 8th fret. It's a great exercise provided you do it right. |
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Edward Meisse
From:
Santa Rosa, California, USA
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Posted 14 Sep 2008 6:27 pm
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Thanks, Ray. If past experience is any guide, I need to try that exercise a few hundred times.
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Amor vincit omnia |
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