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Post new topic Reverse slants...oh the humanity!
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Author Topic:  Reverse slants...oh the humanity!
Brian Hunter


From:
Indianapolis
Post  Posted 23 Apr 2012 7:41 am    
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So, I am at the point in the Byrd course where reverse slants are introduced.And then, I got a couple of the wonderful lessons from Mike Neer. One of which being his transcription of Waltz of the Roses. And lord, the reverse slanting is working me around and back all over. I take pride in my forward slants for being right on the money but I sure am being humbled now. That's okay. The more I do it the better I will get. Right?
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Ron Whitfield

 

From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
Post  Posted 23 Apr 2012 8:39 am    
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Do'm with your eyes closed, a million times over, so your ear nails it. Eventually muscle memory will kick in and all will be well within the universe.
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Jerome Hawkes


From:
Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA
Post  Posted 23 Apr 2012 8:56 am    
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the one thing that helped me was a bar with a recessed end, the one with the "V" is what i use, cant recall the name.

I dont know if you got the Jerry Byrd video with your BIG book (they are separate) - but that video is well worth the $65 - i hem-hawed for a long time, not wanting to spend $65 for a 1 hr video, but it was worth it - he breaks down the movement in detail. he makes it look so effortless Rolling Eyes
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Ron Whitfield

 

From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
Post  Posted 23 Apr 2012 9:09 am    
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Jerome Hawkes wrote:
he makes it look so effortless
It's supposed to be smooth and effortless so the movements in total are musical instead of sounding mechanical, or worse, and allows the player to concentrate fully on the music. +1 on the video!

Last edited by Ron Whitfield on 23 Apr 2012 9:11 am; edited 1 time in total
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Brian Hunter


From:
Indianapolis
Post  Posted 23 Apr 2012 9:09 am    
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I have both Pearse and Dunlop bars. recessed ends. No problems there. It's just getting used to doing the move the opposite way. I like Ron's idea. I also like the practice routine Jerry outlined in the book. I dod not get the dvd but plan on it. The book is wonderful though.
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Rick Collins

 

From:
Claremont , CA USA
Post  Posted 23 Apr 2012 9:15 am    
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Brian, Ron is correct __ reverse slants will become "second nature" after a while.
I play reverse slants in the lower register on a 26" scale Fender. Oh Well

What might help to "reduce the pain":
Pick a tune with the most reverse slants and practice this tune first, at the beginning of your practice session.
If it seems frustrating, slow down and make sure you are on fret.
Gradually increase timing to the appropriate tempo as you improve.

Some days you'll be better than others.
It's kinda' like shooting basketball goals. Some days it all seems right __ some days not.
Keep playing and consistancy will come.
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Ron Whitfield

 

From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
Post  Posted 23 Apr 2012 9:28 am    
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You can also practice (makes perfect) developing your technique and ear by repeatedly going from full forward to full reverse (and all points inbetween) all in one smooth movement while adding vibrato at each end. Even do this with the bar in your hand on the couch arm or coffee table, night stand, or whatever is substantial enuf to support the bar while watching TV or reading a book, etc.
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Denny Turner

 

From:
Oahu, Hawaii USA
Post  Posted 29 Apr 2012 2:45 pm    
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One thing not mentioned yet, that Jerry was brick-bat stickler for (and rightfully so); Is that both forward and reverse slants, intonations are first planted by the note under the tip of the bar (and tip of index finger), and THEN the thumb brings the other end of the bar into intonation while the tip of the index finger locks in the intonation on that end of the bar.

Good practice is to not even play the note on the thumb end of the bar, but do the thumb end reverse slanting movements (in-out-in-out-etc.) while playing and HEARING / practicing keeping that bar tip end in perfect intonation.

Exercise #1: Thumb end of the bar on the 3 note and tip end on 1 note, play: 3, 1, 3>4, 1, [4>3+1].

Exercise #2 (when #1 can be done good): 3>4, 1>b7, [b7+4>1+3].

It's very important to set the bar down and shake both hands out good quite often and wiggle all fingers. This accomplishes two things: (1) It helps erase "bad" muscle motor memory connections in the brain, and (2) It keeps the hands loosened up thus helps minimize cramping / discomfort that is bad for establishing good / correct muscle-motor memory in the brain.
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Brian Hunter


From:
Indianapolis
Post  Posted 29 Apr 2012 3:08 pm    
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Denny, thank you for posting that. I got a couple of hours practice in and figured it would be good to do it exactly like you laid it out. Hard at first but I am getting better. That and the Neer lesson I got last week. I am having fun and improving with this.
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Denny Turner

 

From:
Oahu, Hawaii USA
Post  Posted 29 Apr 2012 3:36 pm    
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Brian,

I should have also added that everything everyone else has said is equally important. I suggest making a list of the key items of everyones suggestions, and review that list every time you sit down to practice.

The first and biggest hump (imho) is training the brain for the muscle-motor / eye connections, AND practicing enough to get through both the eye / hand / ear / brain connections AND the resulting hand cramps. I find that a reasonably motivated person who understands the importance of lots of regular practice (even short periods), will get over this first big hump in about a month's time.

It sounds to me like your will and attitude will be VERY pleased once you get over that initial slants hump.

I distincly remember the defining moment when the joy of slants fell into place under Jerry. It was a tremendous joy for me. I can't pull the name of the lesson / song out of my old brain at the moment, and no time to go look it up; But the name of the piece was something like "Old Man's Lullaby"; It's in Jerry's course tab book; Hopefully someone else will remember the song name.

Very Best Wishes,
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Aloha,
Denny T~
http://www.dennysguitars.com/

Please help support humanity:
http://www.redcross.org/en/aboutus
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