Two string behind the bar bends

[John Watson]

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.

[Bill Hatcher]

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

[Andy Volk]

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.

[Doug Beaumier]

...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?

You may have seen my "Country String Pulls" video ---> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjKdf9NJl4c

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.

[Mike Neer]

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/

[Andy Volk]

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.

[Phillip Hermans]

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

[John Watson]

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.

[Fred Treece]

Don’t hurt yourself. Seriously, if your fingers are not in shape you can damage tendons. Start out with lighter gauge strings. Your tone might suffer a bit at first, but that’s better than cripped pickers for life.

Raphael makes it look easy because it is easy for him, after doing it for years.

[John Watson]

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.

[Gene Tani]

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]

[Peter Funk]

You may have seen my "Country String Pulls" video ---> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjKdf9NJl4c

GREAT stuff!!!

[Stefan Robertson]

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.

[John Watson]

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?

[Andy Costigan]

some pretty amazing string bending here..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsP-hBIVoi0

[Stefan Robertson]

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?

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.

[Matt Berg]

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]

Doug – that youtube clip was amazing. Great tune, great playing and great tone – could not be better! That's THE lap steel tone!

[Doug Beaumier]

Thank you, Per. I'm glad you like it.

[Stefan Robertson]

Forgot to mention the master at this was Billy Robinson.



Smooth as silk at string bends.https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ ... +lap+steel

[Tim Toberer]

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