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Topic: How Do You See The Fret Markers... |
Tim Heidner
From:
Groves, TX
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Posted 3 Jul 2010 2:20 pm |
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when you're travelling down the neck? Does it just become a feel thing after you put in enough time? My intonation sucks!  |
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Stan Schober
From:
Cahokia, Illinois, USA
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Posted 3 Jul 2010 2:41 pm
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Yup, your hand and your ear get co-ordinated eventually.
You could always try the Bill Hankey method of making yourself a vertical fretboard that sits in front of you, just beyound your 1st string. DO a search on the forum here and you'l find more than one reference to it. Some folks make fun of it, but it really can be a boon to a beginner, because you can basically just point at the fret with your bar, and adjustment is very minimal. When you're looking down, your bar and most of two fingers and a thumb are obscuring your view.
_________________
Emmons S-8 P/P,DeArmond 40. Slowly drifting back towards sanity. |
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Tim Heidner
From:
Groves, TX
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Posted 3 Jul 2010 2:53 pm
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| I actually thought that vertical fretboard would help me quite a bit, pretty good idea if you ask me. I guess after you've been playing a while it might seem unnecessary, but I need all the help I can get. |
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Stu Schulman
From:
Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
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Posted 3 Jul 2010 3:19 pm
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Tim,I use the fret makers as a reference point...A target to shoot for if that makes sense?hopefully my ear takes me to the right place.I think that being relaxed if possible helps.Bill Hankey's vertical fretboard seems to have potential,I have never tried one but it seems well thought out and by no means anything to laugh at. 
_________________
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952. |
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Bill Ladd
From:
Wilmington, NC, USA
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Tim Heidner
From:
Groves, TX
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Posted 3 Jul 2010 7:41 pm
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I just started doing that exercise the other day, sure is nice to have somebody of Paul's stature to come in here and give out tips like that.
I can do pretty good on the two fret jumps going up the neck, but my fingers get in the way going down. I guess after a hunnerd years or so muscle memory might take over...
Last edited by Tim Heidner on 5 Jul 2010 11:18 am; edited 1 time in total |
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George Kimery
From:
Limestone, TN, USA
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Posted 4 Jul 2010 1:28 pm How do you see the fret markers
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| I wonder if anybody has ever tried using a slender piece of mirror so that you can see if your bar is centered on the frets? Probably wouldn't work because you would be looking at an angle, but it was just a thought. How about a video camera with a monitor. Probably a better idea. |
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Charley Wilder
From:
Dover, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 4 Jul 2010 2:10 pm Re: How do you see the fret markers
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| George Kimery wrote: |
| I wonder if anybody has ever tried using a slender piece of mirror so that you can see if your bar is centered on the frets? Probably wouldn't work because you would be looking at an angle, but it was just a thought. How about a video camera with a monitor. Probably a better idea. |
Your ear should tell you if your "on" not your eye IMHO. I've played most of a set with a string out of tune and just compensated for it. Try playing blindfolded. It's not as crazy as it sounds. It's actually fun!  |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 5 Jul 2010 8:04 am
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| Thanks Tim, Stu, Stan, and others for discussing the vertical fretboard on this open forum. Thanks for taking part in something that is wide open to experimentation. Mine has been in use for a number of years. |
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Stu Schulman
From:
Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
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Posted 5 Jul 2010 10:20 am
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Bill,Someday I'd like to try the vertical fretboard,How long did it take you to get a working model?
_________________
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952. |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 5 Jul 2010 11:25 am
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Stu,
It's adaptability is quite suitable for the single-neck steel, such as the instrument that I use. The project would be less difficult than most changes made beneath the steel guitar. For those who have a spare fretboard that measures the same as the one used, slice it down the approximate middle to reduce the height as much as possible. Match it to the designated positioning to achieve proper harmonics. Locate the narrowed feature out and away from the 1st string, tipped at reading angle. It required very little time to realize that I was "on" to something once the experimental fretboard was properly positioned. The ideal would be similar to a raised brow built into the manufactured instrument above first string level, with all the attractiveness of positions accurately presented as a finished and improved project, instantly readable guide much superior to the standard horizontal fretboard. A strip of white cardboard with fret markings is a quick trial to demonstrate visibility. I had pointed out previously that the player's face is raised enough to make a considerable difference in how fans observe the art of playing the steel guitar. Dozens of pertinent factors are created by adapting the clear view concept. |
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Mark van Allen
From:
Watkinsville, Ga. USA
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Posted 5 Jul 2010 12:06 pm
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Depending on your style and approach, much of what's played on steel guitar involvesvarious degrees of movement in the bar hand, and the nature of a fretless instrument requires ear training. While some sort of "training wheels" help us get going on bike riding, the fun and freedom of just flying along come with learning to drive the thing.
As I look at it, the frets on a steel fretboard are there to give me a visual cue to shoot for, say when moving from the 10th to 15th frets, but by the time I'm there, I have to use my ear to center the pitch and play in tune. I still struggle with my intonation when I'm playing faster or particularly excited.
If you're not there yet, this is one of several areas of steel playing that simply requires more practice. |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 5 Jul 2010 1:28 pm
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Mark Van Allen,
It would be very difficult to disagree with your input. I'd say it's an accurate and precise evaluation of playing the steel guitar in every situation. |
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Ray Minich
From:
Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra
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Posted 7 Jul 2010 8:52 am
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Practice scales with yer eyes closed. It takes a while, but it'll happen.
_________________
Lawyers are done: Emmons SD-10, 3 Dekleys including a D10, NV400, and lots of effects units to cover my clams... |
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Tommy Shown
From:
Denham Springs, La.
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Posted 7 Jul 2010 5:50 pm
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I wish I had one when I first started out. From what I see it is an outstanding tool for the beginner.
Tommy Shown |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 8 Jul 2010 2:51 am
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Tommy,
Thanks for supporting the fretboard modification. |
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