Elbows and bar grips on a slant?

Alan Struthers · Post by **Alan Struthers** » 8 Sep 2023 10:21 am

I'm a 4-year player working on some PSG slants. When you slant forward (low strings at a higher fret than high strings), do you place your left elbow way out to the left? And do you change how you hold the bar or keep it the same?

I haven't tried slanting the other way, but I have similar questions (except that the left elbow would be in toward your body).

Are there any YouTube or other videos that show the proper or at least a serviceable technique?

This forum has been terrific for helping me progress and I look forward to seeing your answers. Thanks!

Alan

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 8 Sep 2023 2:09 pm

Slants are all done with the fingers.
Pull up a Jerry Byrd video and observe how he does it, he's the master of slants.

Erv

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 8 Sep 2023 2:30 pm

low strings at a higher fret than high strings

Alan; that is actually a "reverse slant".
A forward slant is where the higher strings are higher fret then low strings).
Like Erv said; proper slants are done with fingers and thumb. Do a search up there on the top right; and search for "Videos on how to forward and reverse slant".
Here's one I found for you and it IS PROPER SLANTING>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYL9rDywJiw
Ricky

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 8 Sep 2023 2:50 pm

As others have said, use your fingers and thumb. Do not twist your wrist. Swivel the bar within your hand.

Ian Rae · Post by **Ian Rae** » 8 Sep 2023 3:03 pm

Why are you doing slants on a pedal guitar?
Just curious. I use the pedals and levers for everything.

Jim Kennedy · Post by **Jim Kennedy** » 8 Sep 2023 4:55 pm

The gentleman that started me out on pedal steel, Chuck Manchester, was a slant master. He started out as a kid with the door to door lap steel programs that were popular in the fifties. He did not start on pedal steel until the early 70's, after a stint in the Army. When I met him, about 20 years ago, he played a Dekley double 12, 8 pedals and 6 knee set up. He told me he only ever used 4 pedals, and 4 knees, and used slants all the time. IMHO he was a fantastic player. If you watch Paul Franklin, he uses slants as well. Another technique that has its place if we are willing to learn.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 9 Sep 2023 7:04 am

The reason a lot of bars have a recession on the butt end is so you can put your thumb in there when making slants, especially reverse slants.

Erv

Alan Struthers · Post by **Alan Struthers** » 10 Sep 2023 2:57 pm

This is a reply to Ian:
I want to use slants, first, because I have a tab book from Jim Loesberg that shows one example and for which I saw no clear substitution, and second, because I thought slants might be useful in other contexts. Maybe they won't be as useful as I hope, but I'd like to find out.
Alan

Bobby D. Jones · Post by **Bobby D. Jones** » 11 Sep 2023 9:47 pm

When it comes to modern steelers and slants. Watch some of Lloyd Green's U tube videos, He is the king of slants on a pedal steel.

Dave Hopping · Post by **Dave Hopping** » 11 Sep 2023 10:30 pm

I use forward slants once in awhile, but after watching the vid Ricky posted maybe I can get some reverse slants going.Slants are subtly different from stepping on a pedal, and cool in their own way. Thanks, Ricky!

Fred Treece · Post by **Fred Treece** » 13 Sep 2023 8:20 am

Click this too
Billy Robinson slants

Bobby D. Jones · Post by **Bobby D. Jones** » 13 Sep 2023 12:04 pm

If player starts out on a lap steel, Then to just 2 or 3 pedals. Forward and Reverse slants was a way to move notes before pedals or knee levers were added for certain notes. Players got the moves set in neuro memory and still do it, Have smoother control of the move, Takes less effort and lighter guitar.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Elbows and bar grips on a slant?

Elbows and bar grips on a slant?

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