LAP STEEL SOLO VIDEO -Loving Her Was Easier

Roy Thomson · Post by **Roy Thomson** » 7 Feb 2009 1:46 am

This is a Solo on a little National
Lap Steel. You cannot see too much detail
on this clip but I guess it is an early
50's model.
You might recognize the song as the Kris
Kristoffeson(?) hit from the 1970's.
I am using a WebCam taped into position
and ..nothing came easy including my
feeble attemps to edit afterwards.
Whole day project pretty well.
After getting another look at myself
this will probably be my last Vid for awhile

The tuning is the Bluegrass G with the second
string dropped to "A" OR GMajor add 9.
Link:
http://www.youtube.com/steelinroy

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 7 Feb 2009 2:22 am

That was excellent Roy. Your guitar looks like a National "Chicagoan" model. I've got one identical to yours. I love their tone. Nice little string pull behind the nut at the end too. The tuning on that song makes me want to get my Regal out again. As usual, your playin is inspirational.

Steve Cunningham · Post by **Steve Cunningham** » 7 Feb 2009 9:18 am

Very enjoyable video - you've got a great touch!

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 7 Feb 2009 2:38 pm

Very nice Roy! I enjoyed watching and hearing you play. I like the string pulls behind the bar.

Iain Carmichael · Post by **Iain Carmichael** » 7 Feb 2009 5:23 pm

That was truly special.

Roy Thomson · Post by **Roy Thomson** » 8 Feb 2009 9:51 am

Thank you for the feedback and nice comments.

Playing live for Video recording is
much more difficult for me than making
audio Wav files. I really have to find
some way to "loosen up" but that's not
easy either.

Any suggestions for improvement would
be appreciated.

Thanks again everyone.

RT

Eric Ebner · Post by **Eric Ebner** » 9 Feb 2009 6:45 pm

I really enjoyed your work here. It's a very soothing sound and a wonderful tune including the break. Thanks for all the effort as it was worth it to me:-) If I was to suggest anything it would be my personal preference (always) for a more Hawaiian style vibrato- larger, more languid range. Again- I really enjoyed this tune and am inspired to give it a try myself. Thank you.

Josh Cho · Post by **Josh Cho** » 9 Feb 2009 7:13 pm

Roy,

Great job on this video, regardless of how long it took to get it posted.

I really enjoyed the open tuning sound that mixed with the pedal steel effects, quite refreshing actually.

Thanks much for posting!

Matt Elsen · Post by **Matt Elsen** » 9 Feb 2009 9:30 pm

Sweet, Roy! Very nice.

M.E.

Roy Thomson · Post by **Roy Thomson** » 10 Feb 2009 9:46 am

Thanks so much fellas for the feedback/comments.

I am surprised that no one acknowledged the fact
that the peice is done in a form of Thumbstyle.
It is not in the "sound" of Travis or Atkins but
more of an open (no muting) simultaneous accompyment.
This approach could work with many songs.
I am pleased with the hits the video is receiving
on YouTube in the short time that it has been up.

Thanks again.

Roy

Ray Langley · Post by **Ray Langley** » 10 Feb 2009 7:36 pm

Roy, I like that style of playing! It's a refreshing change from the "never raise the bar" school.....

Bob Hunter · Post by **Bob Hunter** » 11 Feb 2009 4:53 pm

Great job Roy, a very nice tune done very well. Let us know if you tab it!

Roy Thomson · Post by **Roy Thomson** » 12 Feb 2009 12:41 am

Ray, you can raise the bar as long as you have the
time and can control the strings. It should be done
quietly in other words.
Bob, I can Tab anything I play if there is a demand
to do so.
I invite those interested in learning this style to
email me and we can work something out.
You can do that through the Forum or by getting
my email from my ClicTab Site. (see my signature
below).
Many thanks.

Roy

John Burton · Post by **John Burton** » 15 Feb 2009 7:40 am

Roy Thomson wrote:
...I am surprised that no one acknowledged the fact
that the peice is done in a form of Thumbstyle.
It is not in the "sound" of Travis or Atkins but
more of an open (no muting) simultaneous accompyment.
This approach could work with many songs....

Believe me,I noticed! Wow, wonderful playing.

I love Travis picking, on regular guitar and occasionally try it on a lap style resonator.
What tuning did you use on that, specifically?

I'm a little embarrassed to post this, but here is a poor quality video of me Travis picking a lap guitar.
It is indeed a great style to explore.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtBcLXfwmxo

James Kerr · Post by **James Kerr** » 15 Feb 2009 7:51 am

Roy,
I have been listening to some Slack Key stuff played exactly the way you are playing, with the alternating bass line and have every intention of doing some of that soon, some of the Hawaiian Slack Key stuff is beautiful.

I enjoyed your video very much, please keep it up for those of us who watch and enjoy your playing.

James.

Roy Thomson · Post by **Roy Thomson** » 15 Feb 2009 9:11 am

John,
It does my heart good to hear and see you play
what you did there. That is excellent!
On my lap steel peice the tuning is high to low:
D--A--G--D--B--G
The second string A pulls a full tone up to
B. You might do well to drop the guage a step
if you plan to try this. The "pull" can be a
little painful.

James,
I love some of the slack-key playing also. It's
awfully pretty.

I have half completed a lesson on Loving Her Was
Easier and it will be done soon. It includes the
ClicTab Tablature with a "slow down" MP3. I am already working with two people on line to teach
this song.

Any others interested in learning this style please
feel free to email me at the address as per my
Web Page noted below.

Many thanks,

Roy

Iain Carmichael · Post by **Iain Carmichael** » 20 Feb 2009 5:20 pm

Bump. Maybe somebody looking inspiration missed this on page one.