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Post new topic Palm blockink string 3
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Author Topic:  Palm blockink string 3
Dan Beller-McKenna


From:
Durham, New Hampshire, USA
Post  Posted 3 Aug 2005 2:19 am    
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Hi all,

years ago, as a completely self-taught steeler, I developed a very eclectic blocking technique. I'd guess that I'm pick blocking about 85% of the time, but I also palm block a little and (does anyone else do this?) I do some blocking with my left thumb. I'm sure a teacher would have nipped that in the bud, but I didn't even realize I did this until I took up the steel again four months ago after a 20+year layoff.

For the most part this all serves me well, although I am sure there are things I simply don't play because my technique doesn’t allow for it. One thing I have been painfully aware of lately, however, is my inability to cleanly block string three when I am doing a melodic run, especially when I move diatonically down in a pattern such as 3-1-4 or 3~3B~3-1-4.

Is this a common problem (i.e., is string 3 generally harder to block) or is it a side effect of my unorthodox blocking technique? Should I be palm blocking string 3 in these instances?

Dan


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Dan Beller-McKenna
Durham, NH
Dekley S-10, Telecaster, Guild D-35, tin can

[This message was edited by Dan Beller-McKenna on 03 August 2005 at 03:20 AM.]

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Bob Carlucci

 

From:
Candor, New York, USA
Post  Posted 3 Aug 2005 2:33 am    
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Hmmm. Thats an odd one Dan.. Personally, I have no problem palm blocking any string, but I have found over the years that string 3 sometimes does not get blocked as cleanly during high speed plaing without changing my hand position.

. Possibly because of the thinness of the string or its tension.

I HAVE heard of players using thier bar hand or various fingers on it to mute and I don't think it would be considered
"improper" technique to do so.

I would not worry much about left hand/finger muting if you can do it well. I am NOT an expert on technique ,but it would seem to me this is what your hands and head want to do.
bob

[This message was edited by Bob Carlucci on 03 August 2005 at 08:29 AM.]

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David Doggett


From:
Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)
Post  Posted 3 Aug 2005 6:24 am    
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I have the same problem. Joe Wright and other top players say use anything you've got for blocking: picks, palm, left hand, whatever works. The only problem would be if you used one method that didn't work too well for a particular thing, instead of learning another method that would work better for that particular thing. The 3rd string problem is because the palm runs out up there, and there is a dip where the little finger starts that is right about where the 3rd string is. You can shift your grip up toward the top strings to get more of the palm up there. Some people turn their pinky and ring finger under and block with them. That doesn't work well for me, because I have a pick on my ring finger and pretty much have to play with my pinky stretched out. Another technique is to pull the bar toward you so the bullet nose comes off the 3rd string and your left hand fingers block it. The best solution is to be born Buddy Emmons, Doug Jernigan or Paul Franklin - they seem to have no problem at all with that 3rd string.
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Terry Sneed

 

From:
Arkansas,
Post  Posted 3 Aug 2005 8:52 am    
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I think it was Jeff Newman that advocated muting your lower strings, especially string 8, with your thumb. I do it and I'm sure there are others that do also. I don't see anything wrong with it, especially if it was ok with Jeff Newman.
As far as blockin string 3 I've always blocked ring finger under style, it just came natural to me.


Terry

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Mullen D10 /8x5 / session 500rd/ American Strat Highway 1 model
steelin for my Lord

[This message was edited by Terry Sneed on 03 August 2005 at 09:56 AM.]

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Dan Beller-McKenna


From:
Durham, New Hampshire, USA
Post  Posted 3 Aug 2005 9:30 am    
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Hi guys,

well first if all thanks for the absolution: I'll let my thumb go wild. I never thought of the ring-finer-under idea, but I'll give it a shot. I am a little relieved to hear that this is not just my problem, but a little depressed that the answer might be to be born with Emmons', Jernigan's, or Franklin's hands. Way too late for that!!

Dan

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Dan Beller-McKenna
Durham, NH
Dekley S-10, Telecaster, Guild D-35, tin can

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Bobby Lee


From:
Cloverdale, California, USA
Post  Posted 3 Aug 2005 10:02 am    
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I use the thumb of my left hand as necessary to mute individual strings (like the 7th string F#) during a strum. I also use the pinky of my right hand to kill one string and leave another ringing.

I believe that anything you can do with your hands is allowed. I disagree with anyone who says "this way good, that way bad". All techniques are useful at one time or another - even striking the strings with a marimba mallet!
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