Bar Technique Question from a Newbie

[Aaron Warren]

I'm a new(er) lap steel player. Have played guitar for a little over 10 years, and have messed with the lap steel on and off again in the form of an old Barclay acoustic with a Perfect Nut for the past few years.

Lately I've been obsessed with playing lap steel. Bought a '48 Gibson Ultratone, couple days ago I got an Asher Electro Hawaiian Jr.

My question is, can you give me any tips on Bar techniques? My left hand, at the wrist, cramps up after a little while of playing. Intonation with the bar is coming along ok. But if anyone has any tips they'd be appreciated. I don't know if I'm holding it wrong and thats why I'm cramping or what. I'm using a Scheerhorn steel, if that makes any differance in tips you could give.

Thanks in advance!

[Mark van Allen]

Hi, Aaron, and welcome to a long wonderful pursuit.
I would say that if any part of you hurts or cramps, you're doing something "wrong", for you, at least. Your playing position should be comfortable and not strained, so look at the angle your hand and arm makes as it is in playing position. The grooved Sheerhorn bars work well for lots of people, but occasionally seem to be uncomfortable for some folks, you might try a smaller (2 7/8 inch or so) round bar. Perhaps you are squeezing the slots on the Sheerhorn a bit tightly to hold on to it while playing?
I use a Smith or Sheerhorn bar for dobro, but prefer a smaller round bar for My Asher and Oahu steels. That also may depend on how many hammer-ons and pull-offs you use in your lap steel style.
Good luck!

[C. Brattain]

Mark is RIGHT, relax is the word. Do not squize hard on the bar and by all mean do not press hard. Let the bar do the work.

[Lynn Oliver]

I suspect you have what I call the beginner's death grip. Let the bar do most of the work and just guide it with your hand. Relaxation is the key.

When I see pro players I'm often struck by the relaxed technique and economy of motion they employ.

[Aaron Warren]

Thanks for the tips guys, I'll try them out.

I do have a 2nd bar, its the Dunlop Lap Dog. It's the same style as the Sheerhorn but shorter.

[Chris Morrison]

Hi, when I was just beginning to learn dobro a few years ago, I had lots of trouble holding on to the bar (Scheerhorn) -- so I tried "Gorilla Snot" on my bar hand and it made a world of difference! I was able to generally relax my fingers without dropping the bar all the time. Despite its disgusting name, it smells nice (like pine pitch) and is _sticky_ ...a little goes a long way. The trick is to use it just on the sections of fingers that actually touch the bar (so the strings don't get sticky ) BTW, the tuners do get sticky.

Now, a few years later, I'm much more comfortable with holding the bar -- I still use GS for finger/thumb picks, but it's much less "necessary" for my left hand.
HTH, Chris.
ps: it comes in a little bitty jar -- don't buy the big bottle of stuff for hair (!) sold under the same name! Unless you do a mohawk

[Arthur Herrmann]

This reads like a discussion of how to hold a golf club! If you are doing slants, part of your problem may come from twisting your wrist to maneuver the bar as opposed to turning it in your fingers. That was what I used to do until I got more comfortable holding on to the bar with my fingers (and Jimmy Heffernen pointed out my problem when I took a lesson with him).

[Earnest Bovine]

.. I tried "Gorilla Snot" on my bar hand and it made a world of difference! I was able to generally relax my fingers without dropping the bar all the time.

But how can you keep the stuff off the strings? I like Gorilla Snot sometimes for finger picks, but I think I have to be careful to keep it away from the strings where it would mess with tone and intonation.

[Lynn Oliver]

Instead of Gorilla Snot I would suggest Pik Gripz for use on a grooved bar.

[Ray Montee]

My only suggestion........does not have a RED BUTTON to push in order to gain instant gratification. It will take some time to master it completely, but it can be achieved and you will do it.

I'd start with the palm of my left hand facing UP, toward the ceiling. I would then place the bar in the hollow space between the index/pointer finger and the middle/gesture finger. Be sure that the rounded end of the bar, is most nearly beneath the finger nail area of your index finger. Let it lie there for a few moments, keeping your other, remaining fingers fairly straight, lying along side that middle finger.

Then, in a relaxed mode, exert some downward pressure with your thumb, closer to the rear or blunt end of the bar.

While doing this slowly roll your hand over, to where the bar is on the bottom of your hand. The slight pressure between your thumb and the middle finger will be sufficient to hold the bar in place.

When you can accomplish this, let us know.