Bucket list item: Master Behind The Bar String Pulls
Moderator: Brad Bechtel
- David DeLoach
- Posts: 447
- Joined: 9 Feb 2016 8:27 am
- Location: Tennessee, USA
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Bucket list item: Master Behind The Bar String Pulls
Behind the bar string pulls are probably the most challenging and awkward thing I've come across in 50+ years of being a musician. I've worked on them sporadically the last couple years, but I'm resolved to being able to pull these off (pun intended) quickly, easily, and in tune as I've seen many of you guys do.
I've seen some of you use the 4th finger for these. Wow. That is SO hard for me. But as they say, practice makes perfect.
I'm resting the palm of my bar hand against the lap steel and using that for leverage.
I'm just going to do 10 of these each time I pick up my lap steel. I figure over time the muscles will build up and these will become easier.
I've seen some of you use the 4th finger for these. Wow. That is SO hard for me. But as they say, practice makes perfect.
I'm resting the palm of my bar hand against the lap steel and using that for leverage.
I'm just going to do 10 of these each time I pick up my lap steel. I figure over time the muscles will build up and these will become easier.
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Obligatory sharing of Raphael's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQEqq8wDNRo
I have been working on these for a while, and at first it seemed impossible. Now I can pull it off pretty well, which is great for C6 tuning, I can get 2 different 7 chords in every position.
I am working to be a little more fluid so that I can use it in melodic lines...
And I am slowly trying to get two-string pulls.
I rolled my eyes the first time I heard folks warning me to be CAREFUL and not hurt yourself... but you really can so go slow and stop if you feel discomfort
I have been working on these for a while, and at first it seemed impossible. Now I can pull it off pretty well, which is great for C6 tuning, I can get 2 different 7 chords in every position.
I am working to be a little more fluid so that I can use it in melodic lines...
And I am slowly trying to get two-string pulls.
I rolled my eyes the first time I heard folks warning me to be CAREFUL and not hurt yourself... but you really can so go slow and stop if you feel discomfort
- Jeff Garden
- Posts: 3645
- Joined: 21 Aug 2003 12:01 am
- Location: Center Sandwich, New Hampshire, USA
I love Martin Gross' behind the bar technique on resonator guitar...he's always super accurate with it. Don't know if this video of him playing Teach Your Children will help out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC-N4zl1QZo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC-N4zl1QZo
- Doug Beaumier
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- Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
- Location: Northampton, MA
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Go with lighter strings. Here's my contribution to the "string pull" art form:
---> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjKdf9NJl4c
I use my middle two fingers or just my middle finger. Taking the middle finger off the bar means you have to hold the bar with finger 1 and the thumb, which takes some getting used to.
---> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjKdf9NJl4c
I use my middle two fingers or just my middle finger. Taking the middle finger off the bar means you have to hold the bar with finger 1 and the thumb, which takes some getting used to.
- David DeLoach
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- Joined: 9 Feb 2016 8:27 am
- Location: Tennessee, USA
- Contact:
- Doug Beaumier
- Posts: 15642
- Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
- Location: Northampton, MA
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I can do it with one or 2 fingers, prefer 2 but I can't do a whole note bend on any pedal or lap steel without leaving the string flat. (There were some threads that I think Andy Volk started about his tabs, which often include them but I think you can ignore his 2 string version for now...
https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=374028
https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=187869
https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=374028
https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=187869
- 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
- The secret sauce: polyester sweatpants to buff your picks, cheapo Presonus channel strip for preamp/EQ/compress/limiter, Diet Mountain Dew
- John Watson
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- Joined: 26 Mar 2020 8:24 am
- Location: Ontario, Canada
Bucket list item.
As an alternative to using lighter Gauge strings I tune down about 2 -3 tones and use heavier strings.
Melbert 8 string lap, James Adam's square neck reso, B- Bender Fender Tele.