Morgan Scoggins
From:
Georgia, USA
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Posted 21 Jul 2014 11:29 am |
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I have, since I started playing steel in 2007,always stuck to the Jerry Byrd/ Herb Remington technique of using a bullet bar and pulling the bar "in and out" for melody playing. Recently I was given a Stevens Bar by Bob Allen of Melbert Steel Guitars. I had bought a new 8 string lap steel from Bob. I forgot about the bar for a while but recently began to kind of "Fool around with it".
I have another 6 string lap steel that Bob made for me a couple of years ago. I decided to use it for Hank Williams and old country songs that use mostly straight bar positions. I began to use the Stevens Bar with the six string.
I never could get used to the high E6 tuning for Hank Williams songs. I experimented a bit and came up with C#6 tuning (F C# A# G# F C#) hi to low. I use almost exclusively two keys, E and A. It puts the chords on frets that are comfortable and with those two keys I have only four chords to worry about ( E A,B and D). I can really cut lose with those old Hank songs and most people are pretty impressed.
I am not familiar with the classic technique for using the old style bar. I mostly lay the bar across all six strings and move it up and down as the chords change, sort of like a sliding capo. I pick the bar up slightly when sliding, say from the third fret E to the 8th fret A chord. I keep my left hand heel on the strings to dampen them. Other than that, I am pretty much lost as to the technique used by the old country players of the 40's and 50's. Any help or suggestions you have will be appreciated.
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"Shoot low boys, the're ridin' Shetlands" |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 22 Jul 2014 6:23 am
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Without seeing how you play, I'd have to suggest the various videos available online. Try Lessons with Troy, Mike Witcher, etc. Although they may be focused on acoustic (resonator) guitar, the technique is the same for that type of bar.
For older country music, there are lots of YouTube videos. Choose your favorite steel guitarist and search for him or her.
There are many teachers who use Skype for online lessons if you can't find someone in your area.
Good luck!
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Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars |
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