"Why do you shake the bar when you play?"

Roger Crawford · Post by **Roger Crawford** » 1 Mar 2010 10:58 am

Saturday night after our gig, a gentleman came up and introduced himself a steel guitar player. I was a little suspect when he asked, "Why do you shake the bar when you play?". I explained that it wasn't a shake, but rather vibrato. He than began to tell me about his E9th tuning. He took strings 1 & 2 off because he never used them anyway, and tuned his 9th string to an E in case he missed the 8th string it would still be right! I didn't go in to hitting the 9th in error when the E should be raised or lowered, that could have been a whole new can of worms.

Ben Lawson · Post by **Ben Lawson** » 1 Mar 2010 11:46 am

Good to see and hear you in Saluda Roger. I shake the bar because Joe Wright, Joe Turner, Herby Wallace and you with many other steel players were in the room. Everybody makes me nervous. So next time I come down there will everyone leave until I'm done with my set?

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 1 Mar 2010 12:07 pm

I shake the bar because I'm warming up for a game of Yahtzee!

Billy Murdoch · Post by **Billy Murdoch** » 1 Mar 2010 12:21 pm

My hand shakes and I hold the bar to steady it.

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 1 Mar 2010 12:45 pm

Shakin the bar is easier for me than holdin the bar steady and shakin the guitar.

Allan Munro · Post by **Allan Munro** » 1 Mar 2010 1:12 pm

It's like puttin' salt on yer fish and chips ain't it? It's just something ye do...

Gary Preston · Post by **Gary Preston** » 1 Mar 2010 2:23 pm

This guy must be using the vibrato in his amp so he wont have to move his bar !

Another question i am asked is this . How many of the strings do you use anyway ? Only three ,the others are for decoration only !

Kenny Martin · Post by **Kenny Martin** » 1 Mar 2010 4:48 pm

Hey, i've seen Roger shake his bar and the women go crazy!

I've seen some shake it and in Atlanta earlier this year i saw one thrown across the stage!

Seems it was a little slippery!

I wiggle instead of shake! oh, we talkin about the bar right?

Bryan Daste · Post by **Bryan Daste** » 1 Mar 2010 5:17 pm

Sounds like the guy needs some lessons.

Al Udeen · Post by **Al Udeen** » 1 Mar 2010 5:57 pm

I only shake the bar before the first 3 drinks!

Curry Coster · Post by **Curry Coster** » 1 Mar 2010 8:08 pm

Andy:

"Shakin the bar is easier for me than holdin the bar steady and shakin the guitar"

ROTFLMAO!!

C

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 2 Mar 2010 12:51 am

shake rattle & roll

George Kovolenko · Post by **George Kovolenko** » 2 Mar 2010 5:53 am

I shake the "bar" to make sure that it is dry before I put it away!

Adam Sorber · Post by **Adam Sorber** » 2 Mar 2010 6:16 am

I heard an Earthquake shure can shake bars....

Allan Munro · Post by **Allan Munro** » 2 Mar 2010 9:51 am

"Why do you shake the bar when you play?"

Well, it more like a shiver than a shake and I think it is FEAR. (or anticipation - 'Will he find a correct note tonight?')

John Bechtel · Post by **John Bechtel** » 2 Mar 2010 11:47 am

I want you to feel what I'm playing as well as hearing what I play! And so do I! It's you and me. That's everything!

James Mayer · Post by **James Mayer** » 2 Mar 2010 12:18 pm

.....because I'm lonely.

Roual Ranes · Post by **Roual Ranes** » 2 Mar 2010 2:38 pm

Because I have to take Albuterol.

Curt Langston · Post by **Curt Langston** » 2 Mar 2010 3:29 pm

Sounds like the guy needs some lessons.

Seriously, Bryan, are those your real dreds? If so,GOOD JOB!

Jimmy Walls · Post by **Jimmy Walls** » 2 Mar 2010 11:58 pm

The only bar of mine that shook had "Assembled in Mexico" on a plastic button on its' back end. Being curious I popped off the button and jumpin' beans fell out!!!

Paul King · Post by **Paul King** » 3 Mar 2010 4:13 am

I remember one occasion where I was shaking my bar. We were playing outside and it was about 30 degrees and my bar was not the only thing shaking.

Shorty Smith · Post by **Shorty Smith** » 3 Mar 2010 7:50 am

Just like Elvis "ALL SHOOK UP", Shorty

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 3 Mar 2010 11:39 am

I hold the bar up and shake it when an A hole comes up to me and tells me that they took the first two strings off their steel because they never use them. That usually starts 'em runnin.

Ransom Beers · Post by **Ransom Beers** » 3 Mar 2010 12:17 pm

I usually shake when I'm in a bar,then they roll me out the door,isn't that what they used to do at Tootsies?

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 3 Mar 2010 12:39 pm

would that be the famous 'tootsie roll'?