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Post new topic Harp-like Picking on Steel Guitar
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Author Topic:  Harp-like Picking on Steel Guitar
Doug Beaumier


From:
Northampton, MA
Post  Posted 25 Oct 2010 8:26 am    
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Here's an interesting "harp-like" technique I've been experimenting with lately. I've seen Alvino Rey play this style and I'm wondering how many other players use this technique. It's basically strumming forward with the thumb pick and then back with the fingerpick(s). Click on the link below. The video is not the best quality, but it give you an idea of the technique I'm referring to.

-----> YouTube Clip
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Stu Schulman


From:
Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
Post  Posted 25 Oct 2010 8:48 am    
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Doug,That's really sweet!I messed around with something like that...not in a while. Winking
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mike nolan


From:
Forest Hills, NY USA
Post  Posted 25 Oct 2010 1:14 pm    
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My wife is a harpist.... so I have tried to imitate or echo the glisses that she does from time to time.... you're getting it about as close as possible with an E9 guitar. Roll off some treble to get that gut string sound....
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Danny Bates

 

From:
Fresno, CA. USA
Post  Posted 25 Oct 2010 2:03 pm    
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Hey Doug, we call that "Showin' Off" Laughing

Just kiddin'... Great stuff (as usual) Cool
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Billy Tonnesen

 

From:
R.I.P., Buena Park, California
Post  Posted 25 Oct 2010 5:44 pm    
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Doug:

I have used that technique ever since first hearing the Harp on Spade Cooley's early recordings. It always worked better for me on a pure 13th tuning and not on the E9th with the two inverted top strings.

Billy T.
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Doug Beaumier


From:
Northampton, MA
Post  Posted 25 Oct 2010 6:53 pm    
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Thanks for the replies! I too am reminded of the harp on the old Spade Cooley records. I'm also reminded of Alvino Rey.

I agree that E9 PSG is not ideal for this style. For this clip I'm using pedal B (G# to A) and the knee lever that lowers string 2, D# to D. So the open chord produced is D6/9 (across all 10 strings). I'm starting with the bar on fret 6, so that's G#6/9 across all 10 strings.
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John Wilson


From:
Coeur d' Alene, Idaho
Post  Posted 26 Oct 2010 11:28 am     E9/E6 should work for this.
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Wow,

It would seem to me that Zane Kings E6/9 tuning was almost made for this! I'm going to give it a try when I get home.
The strings are (from the top):

G#, F#, E, C#, B, G#, F#, E, B, G#.


J.
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Andy Sandoval


From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
Post  Posted 26 Oct 2010 12:39 pm    
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Very cool Doug ,it's always good to learn and experiment with new sounds and techniques. One can't have too many tricks in their arsenal.
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Richard Damron


From:
Gallatin, Tennessee, USA (deceased)
Post  Posted 26 Oct 2010 2:01 pm    
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John Wilson -

My hat is prettier'n yours.

Howzat for bein' off topic?

Respectfully,

Richard
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John Wilson


From:
Coeur d' Alene, Idaho
Post  Posted 26 Oct 2010 7:24 pm     Richard.............
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Richard -

Actually, very off topic. But you're right!!

In reality, thats not a hat, but the most over priced, over amped headphones available anywhere -
The Jecklin Floats. Do a Google search; you'll find it amusing (and thankfully thats NOT me in the avatar).

Sorry for the double-hijack.

Back to the harp sounds!!!


J.
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