How to do a choke

Tom Campbell · Post by **Tom Campbell** » 28 Jun 2006 12:22 pm

I have been struggling to do a "choke"; raising a high B string to C or a any of the top three strings a half step.
I hold my bar in the traditional manner. but don't know the technique for using my middle or ring finger. Do you pull the string to the side or lift it while holding that string down with the bar...or what? Is there some material that explaines or shows this process?

I appreciate all suggestions.

Harry Dietrich · Post by **Harry Dietrich** » 28 Jun 2006 7:27 pm

Hi Tom

Use your ring finger and pull the string toward you. Takes a lot of practice, but you'll get it.

Harry

Tom Campbell · Post by **Tom Campbell** » 29 Jun 2006 6:30 am

Harry,
Thanks for the information. Like anything, it takes practice to make it look easy!

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 29 Jun 2006 6:52 am

Personnaly, I never liked the term "choke" ... it's got a bad ring to it. The above image is blurry, but you can see that I'm pulling the third string sharp with my 2nd finger supported by my ring finger. Using supporting fingers is a key concept to remember. I'm not doing it here, but I also sometimes drop the thumb to the side of the neck to further support the bend. You never pull up ... just straight back toward your stomach and paralell to the fretboard. You'll need to build up some under-used muscles as well as develop pulling-hand calluses, so my advice is to pratice it very slowly and in small increments so you don't fatigue your hand muscles. Here are some pull-string licks:
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum8/HTML/000052.html
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum8/HTML/000055.html

This arrangement of Bud's Bounce in E tuning using string pulls to imitate pedal steel licks:
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum8/HTML/001097.html

[This message was edited by Andy Volk on 29 June 2006 at 08:00 AM.]

Roy Thomson · Post by **Roy Thomson** » 29 Jun 2006 7:03 am

I use left hand mid finger also.

You have to make sure the pull is in
a somewhat upward motion so the string
maintains contact with the bar.

With that in mind it is just a matter
of practice and it does not come easy.

------------------
http://www.clictab.com/RoyT/Roy_Thomson_Steel_Courses.htm

Tom Campbell · Post by **Tom Campbell** » 29 Jun 2006 7:06 am

Thanks Andy!
This is what I needed to see. I have some pretty good calluses on my left hand fingers from playing regular 6 string guitar, but I don't have the coordination developed for the pull technique.

Harry Dietrich · Post by **Harry Dietrich** » 29 Jun 2006 7:26 am

Andy

Why don't you just use your ring finger...it's easier, and you have better control of your bar? You're using your ring finger to back up your middle finger anyhow.

I've been doing string pulls for a hundred years, and I never got any callouses on my finger.

String pulls are real easy...but it does take a lot of practice and co-ordination to get it right.

Happy pulling

Harry

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 29 Jun 2006 7:33 am

Kayton Roberts has a huge callus from pulling strings. You must have superman hands, Harry. Why not give your hand the most support you can? Using supporting fingers for pedal steel-like bends on a standard guitar is recommend by masters of the technique like Arlen Roth. In my book, it just makes sense for lap steel too. But if your way works for you more power to you! . One other thing to keep in mind about string pulls is you pretty much momentarilly lose your vibrato when you're pulling.

D Schubert · Post by **D Schubert** » 29 Jun 2006 8:12 am

Sometimes called the "cheese slicer" technique for obvious reasons...

Harry Dietrich · Post by **Harry Dietrich** » 29 Jun 2006 11:16 am

Andy

Come to the HSGA Convention this year at Joliet, and we'll check out each others string pulls. LOL!

Harry

Ron Brennan · Post by **Ron Brennan** » 29 Jun 2006 11:40 am

Tom,

Awhile back, I saw Harry at a Steeljam and I have to tell you, he is really good with String Pulls, as well as other techniques. We were amazed.

In my case, I agree with Roy's advise to keep the string your pulling against the bar. It's a slight upward pressure when you pull the string back. Andy's advise works too!!

Either way, the key is to work at it so it becomes 2nd nature. IMHO: It really doesn't take that long.

You'll be very glad to have this "must" trick in your arsenal and like Harry, not even think about it when you do it. TX

Rgsd,

Ron

Harry Dietrich · Post by **Harry Dietrich** » 29 Jun 2006 12:10 pm

Thanks for the compliment, Ron.

Anyhow, with slants, pulls, and various other tricks, who needs pedals.

I call my lap steel my "poor man's pedal steel." LOL!

Harry

[This message was edited by Harry Dietrich on 29 June 2006 at 01:12 PM.]

Bob Stone · Post by **Bob Stone** » 29 Jun 2006 12:14 pm

I'm waiting for a gag photo from Howard R...

Jeff Strouse · Post by **Jeff Strouse** » 29 Jun 2006 3:09 pm

I haven't see Howard do a choke on an a guitar yet, but I have seen one choke him...I think he ticked off a Fender one time...

[This message was edited by Jeff Strouse on 29 June 2006 at 04:11 PM.]

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 29 Jun 2006 4:50 pm

Harry, do you use the whole finger?

Denny Turner · Post by **Denny Turner** » 29 Jun 2006 7:09 pm

You "disappoint" me, Howard. I dropped right in here thinking for sure that with this barn door wide open in the wind, you would have dropped the bombshell of the year!

Aloha,
DT~
[This message was edited by Denny Turner on 29 June 2006 at 08:10 PM.]

Harry Dietrich · Post by **Harry Dietrich** » 29 Jun 2006 7:19 pm

No Howard...the one alongside that one.

Dan Sawyer · Post by **Dan Sawyer** » 3 Jul 2006 4:44 pm

If you can choke and chicken pick at the same time…

well, you'd be choking the chicken.

Dwayne Martineau · Post by **Dwayne Martineau** » 4 Jul 2006 11:47 am

Now, how do you pull the string a full step without crashing into the next string if your string spacing won't allow it?

By the time I've pulled up a full step, the neighbouring string has already bent a quarter tone or more, so even if the bend is accurate, the whole thing sounds out of tune.

-Dm

Matt Johnson · Post by **Matt Johnson** » 4 Jul 2006 11:55 am

Hi Tom,
Once you get the hang of pulling, try sliding to a different fret while the string is pulled. Then release the string at the new position. It can sound really nice (after your finger tips are broken in!).

Harry Dietrich · Post by **Harry Dietrich** » 4 Jul 2006 12:04 pm

Dwayne

Sounds like your strings are too loose. That should never happen.

Harry

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 4 Jul 2006 1:50 pm

What Harry said. It's all in the scale length and string gauges. Billy Robinson can pull even the low strings. Sliding WHILE you're pulling a string! Ouch! You must be a Kung Fu master.

Dwayne Martineau · Post by **Dwayne Martineau** » 4 Jul 2006 3:07 pm

A bigger gauge makes sense. My C6 neck sounds a little thin anyway.

-Dm

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 4 Jul 2006 6:13 pm

You "disappoint" me, Howard

Denny, I've got other fish to fry....stay tuned to No Peddlers. New material on the way.....

BTW, I use string pulls on G tuned dobro, pulling the 2nd string back & forth will give a pedal effect. Also tuning the B to C and pulling will do the same with a ninth flavor.

On C6, I like to pull the 2nd string, C to C# to give me a major triad or a dom7.

A great technique to learn. And yes, I've also seen Harry a pullin' & a chokin' and he gets a lot of milage out of his tuning.

Stephan Miller · Post by **Stephan Miller** » 4 Jul 2006 7:08 pm

Hey Matt-- welcome to the Forum! Never heard anybody else mention that sliding/pulling-at-the-same-time thing. Glad I'm not the only loony to try this. Actually for anyone with a good set of guitar (or even better, bass) calluses, it's not that big a deal.

--Steve