The Steel Guitar Forum Store 

Post new topic Chiming Techniques Anyone?
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Chiming Techniques Anyone?
Clint Stevenson


From:
Lone Jack, Missouri, USA
Post  Posted 7 May 2009 7:34 am    
Reply with quote

This is probably a difficult question to answer since everyone has their own technique, but I'm trying to practice chiming and haven't been able to hit the chime reliably or make it sound as clean as I'd like. I'm curious what techniques you all use and if anyone has any tips. The way I'm doing it is splitting the difference on the neck from where my bar is and then trying to touch the string with the first knuckle on my pinky finger while picking the string with my thumb pick. Sometimes it comes out nicely, but often times it's just muted, too quiet, or I hear the pick action too much. Maybe it's just going to take that much practice...? Confused
_________________
Sierra Session D-10, Goodrich 120, Peavey Tubefex, QSC RMX850, Twin Peavey BW 15's in Justice cabinet.
Sho-Bud Pro III D-10, Goodrich 120, Peavey Nashville 400, or Fender Hot Rod Deluxe.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger

Ulric Utsi-Åhlin

 

From:
Sweden
Post  Posted 7 May 2009 7:51 am    
Reply with quote

Octave touch point w/ thumb pick,third finger picks ;
Clint,I didn´t get Your take on it,as I git it,You´d
be picking the "west" side of the string length ;
that will produce the same note,but very different from my MO.McUtsi


Last edited by Ulric Utsi-Åhlin on 7 May 2009 7:59 am; edited 1 time in total
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Clint Stevenson


From:
Lone Jack, Missouri, USA
Post  Posted 7 May 2009 7:58 am    
Reply with quote

Ulric Utsi-Åhlin wrote:
Octave touch point w/ thumb pick,third finger picks ;
Clint,I didn´t get Your take on it,as I git it,You´d
be picking the "west" side of the string length,but
I might have gotten it the wrong way around,nothing
new there...McUtsi


So you're technique is to pick on the "East" side of the touch? I don't think I've tried that. Do you then touch the string with your bare thumb or do you actually touch the string with the pick?
_________________
Sierra Session D-10, Goodrich 120, Peavey Tubefex, QSC RMX850, Twin Peavey BW 15's in Justice cabinet.
Sho-Bud Pro III D-10, Goodrich 120, Peavey Nashville 400, or Fender Hot Rod Deluxe.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger

Ulric Utsi-Åhlin

 

From:
Sweden
Post  Posted 7 May 2009 8:06 am    
Reply with quote

Hi Clint,again...as You probably noticed I edited my
post to clarify things,but it might have been just
counter-productive,so let´s start a new...yes,I
touch the octave point w/ the actual thumbpick(metal)
and pick the string length btwn touch point &
changer...it produces a rather clean & nice chime
note...try it & let´s see the others here chime in...
keep picking,Clint,see ya...McUtsi
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Nathan Golub


From:
Durham, NC
Post  Posted 7 May 2009 8:13 am    
Reply with quote

I've been working on using my right-hand ring finger to touch the string at an octave fret, and plucking behind the ring finger (i.e. the side towards the pickup) with my thumb pick. Pretty easy to do while practicing at home, just need to get really clean with it on stage. Here's a highly detailed picture to illustrate said technique:


View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Clint Stevenson


From:
Lone Jack, Missouri, USA
Post  Posted 7 May 2009 8:13 am    
Reply with quote

I'll test this technique out this evening. This seems like it would be easier, since one of my main complaints about the technique I'm using and have seen others use is that you can't see exactly what fret your touch point is on as it's being covered by your pick hand.
_________________
Sierra Session D-10, Goodrich 120, Peavey Tubefex, QSC RMX850, Twin Peavey BW 15's in Justice cabinet.
Sho-Bud Pro III D-10, Goodrich 120, Peavey Nashville 400, or Fender Hot Rod Deluxe.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger

Ken Metcalf


From:
San Antonio Texas USA
Post  Posted 7 May 2009 10:36 am    
Reply with quote

I use the edge of my palm, any method is fine.
Practice scales, all with harmonics.
G Major Scale on the 3rd fret, A 5th.
C Major 3rd fret. All the regular scales in pedals up and pedals down positions..
Quicker that you think, when you can play a scale harmonically, you can hit them where ever you want.
_________________
MSA 12 String E9th/B6th Universal.
Little Walter PF-89.
Bunch of stomp boxes
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

John Billings


From:
Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 7 May 2009 10:54 am    
Reply with quote

I curl up my little finger, and use the area between the knuckles. I can touch 4 strings that way. Pick with the thumb or index, or middle. Octave, 5 frets up, 7 frets up, depending on what I want. Obviously on the West side, but I can pick quite aggressively there, and the pick noise won't be heard. You can also "slap" chimes/harmonics, but the pick noise is fairly loud, unless you back off the pedal, and bring it on after the "slap."
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Ron !

 

Post  Posted 7 May 2009 12:59 pm    
Reply with quote

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=139990&highlight=chime
View user's profile Send private message

Clint Stevenson


From:
Lone Jack, Missouri, USA
Post  Posted 8 May 2009 5:18 am    
Reply with quote

Thanks! I browsed through that topic and picked up a few more good tips.

I agree with one of the posts in that topic that when you screw up a chime live it's brutal. A few weeks ago I was chiming live and hit the first 2 or 3 chime notes in a row and then on the next chime I missed my "touch". Of course my volume pedal was mashed out and what came out was this horrid "BLANG!!!" Shocked I swear it felt like everyone in the place turned and looked like what the...? Luckily it was only a Tues jam night Rolling Eyes
_________________
Sierra Session D-10, Goodrich 120, Peavey Tubefex, QSC RMX850, Twin Peavey BW 15's in Justice cabinet.
Sho-Bud Pro III D-10, Goodrich 120, Peavey Nashville 400, or Fender Hot Rod Deluxe.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger


All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  

Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction,
steel guitars & accessories

www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

Please review our Forum Rules and Policies

Steel Guitar Forum LLC
PO Box 237
Mount Horeb, WI 53572 USA


Click Here to Send a Donation

Email admin@steelguitarforum.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for
Band-in-a-Box

by Jim Baron
HTTP