Chiming double strings

Bill Miller · From: Gaspe, Quebec, Canada

I hear players chiming two adjacent strings a lot and I haven't caught on to what the technique is. I'm decent at chiming individual strings and even doing sweeps, but what I'm referring to sounds like two strings being picked, or pinched similtaneouly rather than in quick succession like you'd get with a two string sweep. Can someone explain how to accomplish this? I can't get my right hand around it and it's probably improper technique.

Bent Romnes · From: London,Ontario, Canada

Bill,
With your thumb and middle finger, pick the strings simultaneously while chiming on the appropriate fret with the edge of your hand. It works well. I just tried it without any prior practice.
You can also try using thumb/1st finger.
_________________
BenRom Pedal Steel Guitars
https://www.facebook.com/groups/212050572323614/

Bill Miller · From: Gaspe, Quebec, Canada

Thanks Bent. I've tried that but I find my chimes using the edge of my hand lack the bell-like clarity I'm looking for. For individual strings I use the outermost knuckle of my little finger which gives a pretty clear, clean chime but but that certain hard spot on the finger (arthritic lump basically) won't span two strings. The edge of the hand will work but I'm thinking some people are going at it differently...unless they have very bony hands. I'm sort of ham fisted, maybe that's the problem.

Bent Romnes · From: London,Ontario, Canada

Yeah Bill, I am just like the singer whatshisname..
He sang Bony Fingers Smile

I think if you really work on your touch and fretting, you can get the bell-like quality you're seeking
_________________
BenRom Pedal Steel Guitars
https://www.facebook.com/groups/212050572323614/

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

hoyt axton

Brett Lanier · From: Madison, TN

interesting topic Bill. What I do may not be the best way, but I'll share.

I use the bottom knucle of my ring finger for two strings next to each other, and straighten the knuckle a little more than if I were to hit just one string. Then pick the two strings with the thumb and index. The tricky part is picking the strings with equal pressure. For doing strings that aren't next to each other I just use more of the side of the finger.

Bent Romnes · From: London,Ontario, Canada

John Billings · From: Ohio, USA

I bend over my little finger to do it. I can get three strings that way.

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

YES, Yes.......your suggestions are really fine and wonderful.

BUT, what do you do when you're playing the 1st (E) and 4th (G) strings harmonically?..........or the 2nd and 5th strings?

Can that little finger/knuckle be stretched that fir?

John Billings · From: Ohio, USA

I straighten my finger out, Ray! But I can't remember the last time I needed to do that. I can cover a 6 string spread that way.
But I do also do palm harmonics. They just not quite as clear. They don't seem to sustain as long. But sometimes the longer sustain doesn't really matter.

Bill Ford · From: Graniteville SC Aiken

I do it like Brett.
practice,practice,practice,and more practice. I read where BE would sit for hours just practicing harmonics. A really neat sounding harmonic run, strike strings 4&5, press A&B pedal,string 2 releasing AB string 3.

Bill

Hey Brent, How's the casting coming??
_________________
Bill Ford S12 CLR, S12 Lamar keyless, Misc amps&toys Sharp Covers
Steeling for Jesus now!!!

Bill Miller · From: Gaspe, Quebec, Canada

I've been trying out the various suggestions but I'm not having too much luck so far. I think Brett's method is what I'm after but while I've never had too much trouble chiming one string with that little finger knuckle and my thumb pick, involving a finger pick AND the thumb pick while trying to keep the little finger knuckle in position is VERY difficult for me. Nothing second nature about it here. Whoa!

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

If I'm doing 2 (or more) adjacent strings, I rake with my thumb pick and use my knuckle. I position the knuckle in "lock-step" with the thumb, so I can chime any strings that the thumb pick hits. If I'm skipping strings (as Ray suggested), I use my thumb and index finger to pick, and use my (straightened) little finger instead of the knuckle.

And yes, it takes lots of practice to do them consistently well. Oh Well

Bent Romnes · From: London,Ontario, Canada

Brett Lanier · From: Madison, TN

Ray, I think if I want to hit strings 1 and 4 I'd have to settle for picking them separately. I'd like to get better aquainted with doing harmonics up a fifth too. That has a really nice sound.

Forum Index > Pedal Steel		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: