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Topic: A question about grips. |
Billy Mostyn
From:
Queensland, Australia
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Posted 24 Mar 2015 7:29 pm |
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Just wondering what other players do here. I'm a lap steel player. Not real good but slowly improving. My question is. Say you have the bar at the 12th fret and need to play (on a 6 string lap steel)C6 tuning, strings 6, 5 and 4 at the same time. I find playing these strings with thumb, index and middle so close together somewhat uncomfortable using those fingers. Do other steeler perhaps try to hit strings 6 and 5 together with thumb and pick the 4th at same time with index or middle?
Also,if I had to play at a fret, strings 5, 4 and 2, I'm more likely to try hitting 5 and 4 with my thumb and string 2 with my index finger. Or should I try to get playing string 5 with thumb, 4 with index and 2 with middle? Would appreciate your thoughts folks. |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 24 Mar 2015 7:52 pm
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Billy, if you are hitting both strings with your thumb, you're not striking them at the same time. There will always be a delay, like in a strum. I find that it is also harder to control dynamics in that way. But if it works for you....
Look at your hand as you are playing--are your fingers in almost a straight line across the strings? I like it so my knuckles are almost parallel with the plane of the string, which translates into my thumb being about an inch farther up the neck than my index finger.
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 24 Mar 2015 8:09 pm
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What Mike said. The pedal steel uses a tighter spacing than the lap steel, and I use all three.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Billy Mostyn
From:
Queensland, Australia
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Posted 24 Mar 2015 10:06 pm
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| Thanks guys. I try and keep my thumb as you said Mike. I am thinking also of getting the Dunlop thumb pick with the 30 degree angle. I have a feeling that my main problem is how I hold my fingers and the angle of the thumbpick I am using. At first it was almost dead straight and I filed it bit to angle the blade slightly. This felt a lot better when picking. |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 25 Mar 2015 6:20 am
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Try the Zookies thumb picks. They are angled. They are also my favorites.
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Billy Mostyn
From:
Queensland, Australia
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Posted 25 Mar 2015 8:17 pm
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Have ordered some Mike  |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 25 Mar 2015 9:01 pm Here's how I do it...........
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My right forearm crosses my thigh, extending to the neck/string of the guitar at about a 45 degree angle.
I plan to pick in the vicinity of the 15th fret for a lush mellow tone.
I hit the bottom string with the thumb and pluck the other two strings with finger picks. I do this like I'm snapping my fingers. They roll across the strings, smoothly.
I NEVER think of picking as a GRIPPING exercise. Your fingers and hand must be free to move up and down the neck. |
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Billy Mostyn
From:
Queensland, Australia
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Posted 27 Mar 2015 5:33 am
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| Thanks for your comments Ray |
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