Two string behind the bar bends
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- John Watson
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- Joined: 26 Mar 2020 8:24 am
- Location: Ontario, Canada
Two string behind the bar bends
I tune my 8 string lap to the high eight strings of the typical E9 pedal steel and have been practicing a bunch of two string behind the bar bends to create some pedal steel effects. (A B pedal sounds, etc) Its challenging to be able to hold the strings in tune so I tune down a bit to lessen the string tension I don't see many videos of lap players doing this sort of playing - is anyone aware of any? You can do a number of pedal steel chords, intros etc in this way.
Melbert 8 string lap, James Adam's square neck reso, B- Bender Fender Tele.
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this is buddy emmons doing what you are talking about. lloyd green tells the story of seeing emmons playing this song on a non pedal guitar back in the day and pulling behind the bar for this sound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FCoTtyCp3o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FCoTtyCp3o
This technique is really tricky to do for all the reasons you said so I don't use it much. Here's an exception: the intro to the classic pedal steel tune "Slowly" in E9th (low to Hi) D, E, F#, G#, B, E. Ignore the yellow box.
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- Doug Beaumier
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You may have seen my "Country String Pulls" video ---> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjKdf9NJl4c...two string behind the bar bends to create some pedal steel effects. (A B pedal sounds, etc) ...I don't see many videos of lap players doing this sort of playing - is anyone aware of any?
I'm not pulling two strings, just one at a time... but I came up with a Cadd9 tuning that allows me to pull string 1 up a whole tone to simulate the "pedal A" twang of a pedal steel guitar. More detail in the video description. There are also a couple of interesting 1/2 tone pulls available with the tuning. The only drawback... after pulling on the strings for a few minutes your fingers get sore.
I did a version of Bud’s Bounce like this years ago, though not particularly well. But I was pulling two strings to get an AB pedal simulation.
http://www.lapsteelin.com/2020/05/15/buds-bounce/
http://www.lapsteelin.com/2020/05/15/buds-bounce/
I have a recording of me murdering Bud's Bounce on Open D Dobro using 2-note bends but momentarily freezing as I recover and try to get to the next chord. My fingertips hurt just remembering.
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The best video I've seen on this is by Raphael McGregor:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQEqq8wDNRo
He always gets straight to the point and makes it look so easy.
I am always returning to his videos as I slowly develop my technique
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQEqq8wDNRo
He always gets straight to the point and makes it look so easy.
I am always returning to his videos as I slowly develop my technique
- John Watson
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- Location: Ontario, Canada
Two string behind the bar bends
Thanks a lot for taking an interest in my post and for sending your comments and videos and tab. Great to hear feedback from others who are interested.
Melbert 8 string lap, James Adam's square neck reso, B- Bender Fender Tele.
- Fred Treece
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- John Watson
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Two string behind the bar bends
Thanks Fred, you're right on that for sure. It's easy to pull a tendon or ligament. I tuned down to C to lower string tension. Experimenting with some different string gauges now. The lighter strings are easier to bend for sure but a bit floppier. When tuned down, a bit thicker strings seem to work fairly well. Still a work in progress. Thanks for the feedback.
Melbert 8 string lap, James Adam's square neck reso, B- Bender Fender Tele.
I'm going to try this, maybe, on 22.5" scale c6, light gauge strings, tune down a half step, micropore tape on left hand fingers to give a little cushioning.[/u]
- keyless Sonny Jenkins laps stay in tune forever!; Carter PSG
- The secret sauce: polyester sweatpants to buff your picks, cheapo Presonus channel strip for preamp/EQ/compress/limiter, Diet Mountain Dew
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- Peter Funk
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GREAT stuff!!!Doug Beaumier wrote: You may have seen my "Country String Pulls" video ---> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjKdf9NJl4c
- Stefan Robertson
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Lookup Stacy Phillips. He lives by behind the bar string pulling for his Dobro work and even has a book about that technique.
Used to use that until I figured out that all the changes are there using a 12 string E13 tuning.
Used to use that until I figured out that all the changes are there using a 12 string E13 tuning.
Stefan
Bill Hatcher custom 12 string Lap Steel Guitar
E13#9/F secrets: https://thelapsteelguitarist.wordpress.com
"Give it up for The Lap Steel Guitarist"
Bill Hatcher custom 12 string Lap Steel Guitar
E13#9/F secrets: https://thelapsteelguitarist.wordpress.com
"Give it up for The Lap Steel Guitarist"
- John Watson
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Two string behind the bar bends
Thanks Stefan, I'll check that out. Yeah 12 strings, that would do the trick alright - lots of possibilities there. I've been thinking about a 10 - not sure if I could manage 12?
Melbert 8 string lap, James Adam's square neck reso, B- Bender Fender Tele.
- Andy Costigan
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some pretty amazing string bending here..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsP-hBIVoi0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsP-hBIVoi0
- Stefan Robertson
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Re: Two string behind the bar bends
Its not as daunting as it sounds. Just way more options. Now getting back into it I'm starting from scratch again but seems easier than standard guitar to grasp the layout but man will take some work but hey I'm up for it.John Watson wrote:Thanks Stefan, I'll check that out. Yeah 12 strings, that would do the trick alright - lots of possibilities there. I've been thinking about a 10 - not sure if I could manage 12?
Stefan
Bill Hatcher custom 12 string Lap Steel Guitar
E13#9/F secrets: https://thelapsteelguitarist.wordpress.com
"Give it up for The Lap Steel Guitarist"
Bill Hatcher custom 12 string Lap Steel Guitar
E13#9/F secrets: https://thelapsteelguitarist.wordpress.com
"Give it up for The Lap Steel Guitarist"
Stating the obvious, but if you're new to this, a good idea to avoid self injury is to practice it at first in the vicinity of the 12th fret where the string displacement needed in order to bend in tune is minimal and there will be less string tension to overcome. I'm an intermediate player at best, and have gotten A LOT of mileage out of this technique.
- Per Berner
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- Doug Beaumier
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- Stefan Robertson
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Forgot to mention the master at this was Billy Robinson.
Smooth as silk at string bends.https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ ... +lap+steel
Smooth as silk at string bends.https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ ... +lap+steel
Stefan
Bill Hatcher custom 12 string Lap Steel Guitar
E13#9/F secrets: https://thelapsteelguitarist.wordpress.com
"Give it up for The Lap Steel Guitarist"
Bill Hatcher custom 12 string Lap Steel Guitar
E13#9/F secrets: https://thelapsteelguitarist.wordpress.com
"Give it up for The Lap Steel Guitarist"
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Interesting site here regarding Makin Believe. I could be wrong, but this seems to suggest this was all done with the bar. Absolutely genius regardless!
http://www.buddyemmons.com/Believe.htm
http://www.buddyemmons.com/Believe.htm