awesome! thanks for this demo, I've been messing around on a cheap lap steel for a couple of months and really enjoying it. this will give me a whole new realm of sounds to explore.
damn. I just started learning to play my grandpa Jake's old lap steel, and I'm super into the idea of bends behind the bar... but I hadn't even conceived of bending two strings independently until I watched this. THANKS MAN
Raphael McGregor hey what strings do you recommend for these bends? I just put some regular electric guitar 10 to 46 boomers on there... also is this C6 tuning in this vid?
@@Istolemyownusername Yes, it's in C6 tuning in one of the 8 string versions, so low to high its A C E G A C E G. My gauges are a bit heavier than yours--I'm guessing you have a six string since you used a guitar set--my six string gauges for C6 are, low to high: 36, 30, 26, 20, 18, 15 for a C E G A C E tuning.
Hi! Very good tutorial. I searched for this for a many times and now I found who can explain with few words what I have to do. Congratulations. What is the tuning used on this video? Cheers from Brazil!
ah! I've got around a 38 for that pitch right now... btw I saw you play in Brooklyn a few months ago, so good! if I ever make it out there I'll have to get some lessons. thanks!
Hey man I have a question. I've gotten to the point where I can do the string pulls with my ring finger but when I try to do two string bends with my middle finger, my bar moves slightly because my middle finger isn't there to hold it steady. How do you hold the bar stable with just your index finger??
Hi Alan, glad you liked it. Been thinking about your comment--it's hard to know exactly what is going wrong since I can't watch you do it, but here are some thoughts. First of all, I would listen closely to what type of mute you're getting--usually you can tell the difference by the sound in a mute caused by the left or right hand. Then I would try doing it in front of a mirror a few times and watching your hands in turn, checking for what's happening. If I had to guess, I would say it's probably happening because when you are using your fingers to pull, the bar is not held down as tightly on the strings and the incomplete contact if causing the mute. You have to practice this a lot not only for consistency in the pitch of the bent notes but also for maintaining stability in the bar. You can flatten the index finger down on the bar a little bit to give it a firmer contact and also just press down harder on the strings. Try doing the pull and then pressing the bar down to see if that changes the sound. Even if it doesn't fix it right away, it might give you an indication of whether or not this is the problem. That would be my thought...again, not hearing or seeing it makes it difficult to tell for sure. If this isn't right and you're interested in further help, we could do a skype lesson or something. Email me via my website if you're interested in that: www.raphaelmcgregor.com Thanks again! --Raphael
Well, now I don´t have to buy one of those fancy "pedal" bars, rsrs. In fact I play regular electric guitar and I´m thinking about trying the lap steel just to see what can do. Can you tell the string length from nut to bridge? Great video, man, congrats!
Hmm...it varies sometimes, since I tend to buy replacement strings as needed and often have trouble finding the same gauges. Usually something close to this: .015, .014, .017, .020, .026, .030, .036, .042, but if you find that individual ones don't work and you can't bend them the full amount you want (or they bend too far too easily) you should adjust accordingly.
Why not play a pedal Steel Guitar and not have to pull the strings laterally; rather the pedals pull the strings horizontally; where the "stops" guarantee that the strings are IN tune every time? Not to mention lowering plus raising AND lowering at the same time. It reminds me of the old days where when automobiles came about, many refused to drive a car and would NOT buy one; yet continue to use a mule and wagon; as though it "was the way" to go. Yeah right!. Oh well.
Thanks. I do play pedal steel guitar too. To my way of thinking, if I'm playing an instrument, I'm going to develop my technique on that instrument as much as possible so that when I get on the gig, I'll be able to do whatever comes up. If I have a lap steel on a gig, I'll be glad that I can do those bends because they're fun to play, I can make the sounds I hear in my head come to life, and the people listening to it will enjoy the sounds I make. Also, you can do these pulls on pedal as well--for example, if your B-C# pedal doesn't have a split tuning, but you want to get a C natural, you can pull it with a finger rather than having to use your vertical knee lever in combination with your pedal. Similarly in E9 you can use your finger to raise your F# to a G natural, giving you a quick and easy minor chord. Or with your G#-A and B-C# raises down, pulling that F# string a half step will give you a dominant 7th chord. You can also use slants (another great technique developed by lap steel players) on a pedal steel--check out Paul Franklin's version of Together Again if you want to see some amazing bar slants on pedal steel. Thanks for your comment and keep watching for more!
damn. I just started learning to play my grandpa Jake's old lap steel, and I'm super into the idea of bends behind the bar... but I hadn't even conceived of bending two strings independently until I watched this. THANKS MAN
awesome! thanks for this demo, I've been messing around on a cheap lap steel for a couple of months and really enjoying it. this will give me a whole new realm of sounds to explore.
Lyndi Perry Thank you so much, glad you liked it! There is a ton you can do on the instrument, I'm glad you are exploring it!
damn. I just started learning to play my grandpa Jake's old lap steel, and I'm super into the idea of bends behind the bar... but I hadn't even conceived of bending two strings independently until I watched this. THANKS MAN
Glad you like it! Enjoy the steel!
Raphael McGregor hey what strings do you recommend for these bends? I just put some regular electric guitar 10 to 46 boomers on there... also is this C6 tuning in this vid?
@@Istolemyownusername Yes, it's in C6 tuning in one of the 8 string versions, so low to high its A C E G A C E G. My gauges are a bit heavier than yours--I'm guessing you have a six string since you used a guitar set--my six string gauges for C6 are, low to high: 36, 30, 26, 20, 18, 15 for a C E G A C E tuning.
Raphael McGregor OK cool I just ordered some from amazon
Can you list all of your string gauges? Thanks so much for providing this video, it is very helpful.
This is great! Please post more vids you are an amazing player and teacher! Would also love to know what size bar you're using.
Dramatic sound, Thanks for the info. I'll incorporate it into my learning.
THAT IS BAD ASS! By far and away one of the best lapsteel videos i have found! Thank you!!!! Going to your webpage.... NOW!
Fantastic playing those are some beautiful bends.
Thank you!
stunning technique..
Great tip and a a variation on behind the nut Tele bends. Thanks for your innovation
Thank you!
Really cool bends. I love them.
Thank you!
Hi! Very good tutorial. I searched for this for a many times and now I found who can explain with few words what I have to do. Congratulations. What is the tuning used on this video? Cheers from Brazil!
You may have just changed my life.... Thanks!!!
Thanks!
What tuning are you tuned to is that the e tuning what is it the C6 tuning I love how you done that sounds like a pedal steel guitar
Thank you! It's in C6, yes, an 8 string version with a low G and a high G.
Very good description, thank you!
Yeah, I had to switch to a lighter gauge on the G string, I think a 26 if I remember right...thanks for watching!
ah! I've got around a 38 for that pitch right now... btw I saw you play in Brooklyn a few months ago, so good!
if I ever make it out there I'll have to get some lessons.
thanks!
the two-string bends are great!
do you use fairly light gauge strings for this?
I can't quite get a whole-step going on the lower strings...
Hey man I have a question. I've gotten to the point where I can do the string pulls with my ring finger but when I try to do two string bends with my middle finger, my bar moves slightly because my middle finger isn't there to hold it steady. How do you hold the bar stable with just your index finger??
Put a little more pressure on the top, and don't forget the thumb on the back of the neck, that's key!
@@raphaelmcgregor1 thank you for the tip boss
Great demo. When I try this on my dobro I end up losing the note as the string gets muted. Any tips?
Hi Alan, glad you liked it. Been thinking about your comment--it's hard to know exactly what is going wrong since I can't watch you do it, but here are some thoughts. First of all, I would listen closely to what type of mute you're getting--usually you can tell the difference by the sound in a mute caused by the left or right hand. Then I would try doing it in front of a mirror a few times and watching your hands in turn, checking for what's happening. If I had to guess, I would say it's probably happening because when you are using your fingers to pull, the bar is not held down as tightly on the strings and the incomplete contact if causing the mute. You have to practice this a lot not only for consistency in the pitch of the bent notes but also for maintaining stability in the bar. You can flatten the index finger down on the bar a little bit to give it a firmer contact and also just press down harder on the strings. Try doing the pull and then pressing the bar down to see if that changes the sound. Even if it doesn't fix it right away, it might give you an indication of whether or not this is the problem.
That would be my thought...again, not hearing or seeing it makes it difficult to tell for sure. If this isn't right and you're interested in further help, we could do a skype lesson or something. Email me via my website if you're interested in that: www.raphaelmcgregor.com
Thanks again!
--Raphael
Great ideas! What kind of bar are you using?
It's a Jim Dunlop 920
New Lap Steel player here so I thank you for the education. :)
I'd be happy to!
Well, now I don´t have to buy one of those fancy "pedal" bars, rsrs. In fact I play regular electric guitar and I´m thinking about trying the lap steel just to see what can do. Can you tell the string length from nut to bridge? Great video, man, congrats!
Thank you! The string length for the steel I usually use is 23.5 inches, and I do lots of bends on it.
Wow, a 38 for the G? Cool. Glad you saw me play! Next time come say hi, lessons would be great?
Hmm...it varies sometimes, since I tend to buy replacement strings as needed and often have trouble finding the same gauges. Usually something close to this: .015, .014, .017, .020, .026, .030, .036, .042, but if you find that individual ones don't work and you can't bend them the full amount you want (or they bend too far too easily) you should adjust accordingly.
i have a lap steel where i just put a pedal on it. best thing i've ever done.
Wow
yes it was very useful ,thanks
Great!
Nice!
Thank you for this. I have subscribed.
Thank you!
What is the lap steel tuned too
It's a C6, 8 string version, from low to high it's A C E G A C E G
TH-cam in 2024, and the best video on this technique is in 240p!
oldie but goodie
Thanks I'm glad you enjoyed it! I'll be making more soon. Any topics you're interested in learning more about? .
You could do one on muting inner strings or string sets within chords.
nice
Thanks Joel! I'm a big fan of your playing so that means a lot!
Obrigado, Leandro. A affinacao e A C E G A C E G.
Really? Sounded like a major chord to me. Isn´t it C#?
SUCESSO.
Obrigado!
sucesso
As others point out, you may have to use lighter strings. I am not crazy about that.
Why not play a pedal Steel Guitar and not have to pull the strings laterally; rather the pedals pull the strings horizontally; where the "stops" guarantee that the strings are IN tune every time? Not to mention lowering plus raising AND lowering at the same time.
It reminds me of the old days where when automobiles came about, many refused to drive a car and would NOT buy one; yet continue to use a mule and wagon; as though it "was the way" to go. Yeah right!.
Oh well.
Thanks. I do play pedal steel guitar too. To my way of thinking, if I'm playing an instrument, I'm going to develop my technique on that instrument as much as possible so that when I get on the gig, I'll be able to do whatever comes up. If I have a lap steel on a gig, I'll be glad that I can do those bends because they're fun to play, I can make the sounds I hear in my head come to life, and the people listening to it will enjoy the sounds I make. Also, you can do these pulls on pedal as well--for example, if your B-C# pedal doesn't have a split tuning, but you want to get a C natural, you can pull it with a finger rather than having to use your vertical knee lever in combination with your pedal. Similarly in E9 you can use your finger to raise your F# to a G natural, giving you a quick and easy minor chord. Or with your G#-A and B-C# raises down, pulling that F# string a half step will give you a dominant 7th chord. You can also use slants (another great technique developed by lap steel players) on a pedal steel--check out Paul Franklin's version of Together Again if you want to see some amazing bar slants on pedal steel. Thanks for your comment and keep watching for more!
Great - mine are much heavier - now I don't feel so much like a wimp.
Is the guitar tuned to c6?
Yep
damn. I just started learning to play my grandpa Jake's old lap steel, and I'm super into the idea of bends behind the bar... but I hadn't even conceived of bending two strings independently until I watched this. THANKS MAN