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Topic: Newby --Left Hand --Help |
David Beckner
From:
Kentucky, USA
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Posted 1 Apr 2010 7:19 am |
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I am about 2 weeks in now on learning the psg..So far So good..Grips are coming along good..Blocking So-so..Last night while practicing I noticed that I am having trouble with the left hand or "tracking"..I seem to be covering all of the strings..I have read and watched videos but they only seem to touch on this subject briefly..Are there any exercises ,tips,etc.. for this ..I come from playing 6 string and for some reason I can not get the concept of "bar chord" out of my head and hand...
_________________
WILCOX SD10 (love the white mica)
WALKER SEAT
NASHVILLE 400
BEHRINGER RACK TUNER
CUSH CASE RACK
PEAVEY DELTA FEX
PARTS CASTER.Gospel and Classic Country Music
http://www.dbupholstery.yolasite.com |
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CrowBear Schmitt
From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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Posted 1 Apr 2010 9:52 am
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if i may,
cover the strings that you play w: the bar David
if you're playing below the treble strings, move the bar back on them
you can also use it's nose for adjacent notes (2 notes together)
good bar control is important
resting the bar on the strings does'nt suffice
you've gotta go get those notes w: your bar
i've noticed many good steelers have their index curved w: the fingertip in contact w: the bar
rather than just laying the index flat on it
some make horizontal loops or small semi circles w: the bar to go & get those notes/chords in
you can also roll the bar between yer fingers for some nice vibrato
rockin'it, is easier but not as subtle as rollin' it |
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Bo Borland
From:
South Jersey -
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Posted 1 Apr 2010 12:13 pm
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| Quote: |
| I am about 2 weeks in now on learning the psg..So far So good |
give it another week or two  |
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Richard Damron
From:
Gallatin, Tennessee, USA (deceased)
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Ron Randall
From:
Dallas, Texas, USA
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Posted 1 Apr 2010 9:29 pm
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Welcome to the world of steel guitar
Be comfortable with the bar in your hand. The most common diameter is 7/8, but the stock sizes range from about 3/4 to 7/8 to 15/16 to 1 inch.
Length should be what feels good in your hand. IF one has a 12 string guitar... a 12 string bar is not necessary, because one does not have to cover all the strings at one instant in time. IT is easier to move the bar up and down the fret to cover the strings that are being played.
Also, many players, me included tip the bar slightly forward, by squeezing my left thumb under the bar, lifting the back end up ever so slightly. This avoids ghostly sounds, and puts the steel on the strings you want to play. A half ass analogy is like drawing with a big pencil. Put the tip where you want it.
I took a break from playing for about 2 weeks and went to Hawaii on vacation. There were 3 wonderful CD's in my room. I loved them all and would go to sleep with the CD playing. Much to my surprise I had that beautiful Hawaiian vibrato in my left hand when I got home. Magic. The point is ... listen to music and players you like. Don't really study it, just relax and let it seep in.
I am guessing you are like most of us, and will eventually wind up with a small box full of bars. Buy used ones if you can. Once you find the right size, then you will know. Your preferences will probably change a time or two.
My superstition: Stainless steel bars sound great on Nickel wound strings.
Chrome plated bars sound best on stainless strings. |
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Larry Bell
From:
Englewood, Florida
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Posted 2 Apr 2010 5:35 am
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Combine working on bar tracking with your other exercises.
For example, you mention grips
-play 3,4,5 -- before you move to the next grip BE SURE the nose of the bar is over 3
-play 4,5,6 -- nose over 4
-play 5,6,8 -- nose over 5
. . .
down to 6,8,10 -- nose over 6
PLAY THIS WITH A METRONOME -- set it to a tempo you can easily play. Give each position 4 beats at a slow-med tempo (60 bpm or so)
No matter what you're practicing, don't get hung up over tempo. START SLOWLY. If you can't play it slowly, you don't have a prayer of playing it fast. Wait until you play an exercise 5x in a row WITH NO MISTAKES (and with confidence) before speeding it up. EVENTUALLY you should be able to play through the grips / chord inversions at 60bpm with ONE BEAT / grip -- but THAT'S LATER. Keep it slow and PERFECT until you are ready to speed it up.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:
1. BLOCKING -- remember that as you move from 3,4,5 to 4,5,6 you don't need to block 3 IF your finger protrudes past the nose of the bar. You can play 3,4,5 then move the bar so that 3 is blocked with your LEFT HAND. As you play 4,5 (as part of 4,5,6) you will block them as well (repicking essentially blocks).
2. BOTH ASCENDING AND DESCENDING -- play through the exercise at the 3rd fret going up == THEN == start from the bottom (6,8,10) and go UP (8,6,5). IMPORTANT TO NOTE -- YOU WILL have to figure out how to block those because the nose of the bar is going to a HIGHER STRING and will not be muted by your left hand. Figure out what works for you. For many pick blockers the THUMB of the LEFT hand will work well for 'killing' the lowest string as you go to a higher string grip.
ONLY AFTER YOU HAVE THIS MASTERED AT A SLOW TEMPO
begin increasing the tempo with the metronome.
THEN . . .
. . . only when you're ready for it
Play EACH NOTE with the NOSE of the BAR
Pick up the back (blunt) end of the bar and angle it toward the nose on the proper string
This makes the single notes sound cleaner and makes blocking easier (or in this case, UNNECESSARY)
| Tab: |
3-----------------------------------------
4-3---------------------------------------
5---3A~~3---------------------------------
6---------3B~~3---------------------------
7---------------3-------------------------
8-----------------3-----------------------
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If you track correctly with your bar you should be able to play this phrase with NO RIGHT HAND BLOCKING perfectly cleanly.
Just some thoughts.
FUN AIN'T IT????
_________________
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
My CD's: 'I've Got Friends in COLD Places' - 'Pedal Steel Guitar'
2021 Rittenberry S/D-12 8x7, 1976 Emmons S/D-12 7x6, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Quilter ToneBlock 202 TT-12 |
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David Beckner
From:
Kentucky, USA
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Posted 2 Apr 2010 8:57 am
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Thanks Guys..You all have been a great help..
Ron. The idea of letting it seep in is a big help..I have found that I am picturing the idea in my head instead of getting it in my ears..
Larry.The exercise is extremely helpful.
_________________
WILCOX SD10 (love the white mica)
WALKER SEAT
NASHVILLE 400
BEHRINGER RACK TUNER
CUSH CASE RACK
PEAVEY DELTA FEX
PARTS CASTER.Gospel and Classic Country Music
http://www.dbupholstery.yolasite.com |
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Jim Bob Sedgwick
From:
Clinton, Missouri USA
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Posted 3 Apr 2010 6:08 pm Bar Hand problem
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Also, make sure the tip of your middle finger extends slightly past the end of the bar. Then when you pull the bar toward you, the tip of that finger will mute the string you just left. This is basic. Get on U-tube and study what the good players there are doing. Just a suggestion.  |
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