I'm a long time guitarist, brand new to the lap steel. Just had to comment: for being so short, these videos are SUPER useful; very concise and to the point, all very helpful tidbits to get me started on a whole new ride. Thanks a bunch!
Fascinating. Inspiring. and for those of us who have been playing guitar for a while, entirely doable. What a great incentive to go out and get a lap steel like the Supro.
Bravo! Thank you very much for this amazing intro to chords and Blues notes on the lap steel guitar. BTW, beautiful playing also. I've truly enjoyed this video.
.....That'll get you started on this amazing instrument .... yup for sure! long time guitar player, I have used many open tunings on guitar... just got my first Lap Steel (1964 Supro Comet) getting started with it... nice tips.. I think I get the minor chord things after watching this video.. .now to see if it works in E tuning...
Thanks bud. I’m struggling with re-learning lap steel. Trying to not play it like I did 25 years ago ( as a hack ) and also trying to play in G6 (EBDGBD) has the 6th on bottom for minor chords. which is also struggling. Used to play in the GBDGBD. Still like to have the top G triad as my go to
I feel like there are minors available with this tuning. The B and D (of the open G chord) are the root and 3rd of a Bm chord. So by grouping strings 1-2 and 4-5 together you can play minor thirds all over. I know the 5th (F# in the Bm chord) isn't there, but do lap steel players ever use that trick to play minor chords?
What kind of strings (gauges and note) do you use to get the Dobro G tuning on a lap steel? I assume a traditional acoustic dobro G set won't work with the electric pickup on a lap steel. The only lap steel G tuned sets I see are for low to high: GDGBDG, .58-.16. so, not sure where to find the right strings for a lap steel to use Dobro G tuning.
That blues sounded so fine! I've been messing around with C6 and E9 tuning, but now I want to go 'G' and learn how YOU play! I'm assuming that I'll need to re-string my cheap 'Rogue' 6 string to do that! Are there any string gauge recommendations?
Fabulous videos! I'm excited to try out the lap steel my Dad let me borrow. The problem is it's left handed. Can I just restring it right handed? I do not see any right or left orientation at the bridge.
@MattSmith - thank you for these 3 instructional vids! How is the Supro's signal chain set up? I hear some reverb and some OD growl. Are you using any effects pedals?
Matt Excellent...now can yyou say something about basic tuning the steel guitar....specifically intonation...my question is " if I tune it correctly, do I need to do something or anything about intonation ?"
I don't think so. At least in the sense that your ear will hear. what I mean (and this is for me) is the fret markers are only reference points. you have to use your ear to fine tune. my steel is old school (40's-50's) and it doesn't have any adjustment without bending stuff and/or getting out the files so...
I'm a long time guitarist, brand new to the lap steel. Just had to comment: for being so short, these videos are SUPER useful; very concise and to the point, all very helpful tidbits to get me started on a whole new ride. Thanks a bunch!
Great intros! Thanks so much!
Fascinating. Inspiring. and for those of us who have been playing guitar for a while, entirely doable.
What a great incentive to go out and get a lap steel like the Supro.
Brilliant
I love this guy!
this guy is an excellent teacher! You are 100% right on the money. exactly what I was looking for.
Bravo! Thank you very much for this amazing intro to chords and Blues notes on the lap steel guitar. BTW, beautiful playing also. I've truly enjoyed this video.
.....That'll get you started on this amazing instrument .... yup for sure! long time guitar player, I have used many open tunings on guitar... just got my first Lap Steel (1964 Supro Comet) getting started with it... nice tips.. I think I get the minor chord things after watching this video.. .now to see if it works in E tuning...
Great presentation MAc! Thank you
Oh hell yeah! Great lessons!
I am learning on a Dobro. This is great info. Thank you
fantastic videos that I'm going to watch 100s of times
Thank you Sir
I just acquired my mother's 1956 fender white and needed a starting point , I'll have to repeat this video a couple of times
Matt, when you started to play them blues you got my attention! Thanks for the lesson.
I have found my new obsession
Wow! I wish I had watched this before learning Dobro. I really benefited from these 3 lessons!
you have put some sense in what I'm already doing. I do mostly improv and never knew what I was doing. I just knew it meshed. thanks.
I have watched a ton of guitar, slide and now lap steel instructional vids, but none are as understandable as Matt Smith's
Really nice lesson. I'm a beginner and it tough me some sweet licks and tricks... Tanks
Thank you Matt, thank you Supro!!
Well presented and keeping it simple which is great.. Explaining finding the minor chords was really helpfull
Great video! Wish I still had that old yellow Gibson my brother bought in a junk store. It had a case different types of slides with it.
Wow 👍🏼
Thanks bud. I’m struggling with re-learning lap steel. Trying to not play it like I did 25 years ago ( as a hack ) and also trying to play in G6 (EBDGBD) has the 6th on bottom for minor chords. which is also struggling. Used to play in the GBDGBD. Still like to have the top G triad as my go to
Excellent!
Do you give lessons? Years ago I studied under Gerry Byrd ,now I’m taking it up again. I’m a pianist; love all music genres
Immediately accessible: thank you
Thank you Sir
This is very helpful
I feel like there are minors available with this tuning. The B and D (of the open G chord) are the root and 3rd of a Bm chord. So by grouping strings 1-2 and 4-5 together you can play minor thirds all over. I know the 5th (F# in the Bm chord) isn't there, but do lap steel players ever use that trick to play minor chords?
What kind of strings (gauges and note) do you use to get the Dobro G tuning on a lap steel? I assume a traditional acoustic dobro G set won't work with the electric pickup on a lap steel. The only lap steel G tuned sets I see are for low to high: GDGBDG, .58-.16. so, not sure where to find the right strings for a lap steel to use Dobro G tuning.
This is fantastic, thank you Matt! What is the outro song?
It’s a song called “Greenfield Grove” from my album “Big Fun”
Dude you are Rad
That blues sounded so fine! I've been messing around with C6 and E9 tuning, but now I want to go 'G' and learn how YOU play! I'm assuming that I'll need to re-string my cheap 'Rogue' 6 string to do that! Are there any string gauge recommendations?
My goodness where did those blues come from?
Fabulous videos! I'm excited to try out the lap steel my Dad let me borrow. The problem is it's left handed. Can I just restring it right handed? I do not see any right or left orientation at the bridge.
@MattSmith - thank you for these 3 instructional vids! How is the Supro's signal chain set up? I hear some reverb and some OD growl. Are you using any effects pedals?
David Nardone
There are 2 more!
I’m playing through a Supro Comet direct, no pedals, reverb from the amp..
I you tune to D G D G B D does all the “L” share, minor, dominants etc go out the window fret positioning wise?
I just want to play songs that are recognizeable. How do I do that?
Where can get one of those slides from? Loved your video
Austin Vintage in Austin Texas sells then
Austin Vintage Guitars has them in stock
Matt
Excellent...now can yyou say something about basic tuning the steel guitar....specifically intonation...my question is " if I tune it correctly, do I need to do something or anything about intonation ?"
I don't think so. At least in the sense that your ear will hear. what I mean (and this is for me) is the fret markers are only reference points. you have to use your ear to fine tune. my steel is old school (40's-50's) and it doesn't have any adjustment without bending stuff and/or getting out the files so...
No. It isn’t a whole step chromatic. It is HALF STEPS CHROMATIC.
Hey Matt, do you do lessons in Austin? Thanks, Ryan
Ryan Benoit
I do! Email me at
matt@6stringranch.com
I assume you are using Dobro tuning: G B D G B D.
What's that intro music?
Arpan Halder
That’s a song called “Greenfield Grove” from my album “Big Fun”
There’s a full length video on TH-cam
@@6stringranch148 Thanks a lot