The Steel Guitar Forum

i have been watching the clip on Utube of Jeff Newman playing "some one to give my love to" posted by Bill Ferguson, (Thanks Bill for that Clip) It is mesmorizing to Watch J.M. play, no Work that insterment. He is so casual about it. Well we all know how great he was. My question on this topic is this. Can any one tell me what Jeff is doing with his left hand. It appears he is eather stretching the strings below the nut or like some banjo numbers he is adjusting the key head as he plays portions of the number.

Desert Rose S10 3/5
Goodrich 120
Nashville 400

I think he is playing open E, if what you are talking about is what I'm thinking about.
You play your bar up against the nut and you have to bare down a little to do it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1s054PrC-o

Never saw that before...that's great.

Harry

Thanks Colby, I have never seen that done, How interesting, I'll have to try that. It sure creats an interesting effect.

Desert Rose s10 3/5
Goodrich 120
Nashville 400

I think you`ll find that he was `string-bending` behind the nut....very interesting sound and effect too...but then he was a Master after all

If I'm in good form I can do it with a little roll on the bar and you don't go flat like open.

Well, I was there and did the video. And I played bass behind Jeff in Knoxville when he played this song. He was definitely playing open strings and pressing on the strings behind the roller nuts to get that bending sound.

Bill Ferguson

Thanks Bill.
I was just expressing what I thought Wayne was talking about without seeing the video.
I play against the nut sometimes and do some pulls and that is what I figured, it is a little trick I learned back in the 70's.

Hey! I was wondering about that bass line. Your talent knows no bounds, Bill!!!
Solid!!!!!!!
Thanks for the post.
Benton

I seem to remember Jeff playing, Someone To Give My love to, using a capo under the strings.??
Perhaps it was another tune.

Jeff was awesome for sure..this is for sure a cool clip of a very hip guy.

regarding Bill and the Bass, , Bill's a fine talented guy too, but thats not Bill in the video, this was in St Louis, Bill runs sound in St Louis.

Bill, if you do happen to have an Upright you are welcome to bring it to Charlotte anytime you like !

Behind the nut bends are not all that common on Steel, but maybe they should be ! It's kinda comical, Behind the nut bends are what Tele guys do to imitate Steel bends, and here is Jeff imitating Tele bends on his Steel ! You gotta love it..

By the way, Jeff WAS indeed an influence on all of us....Wonderful guy, I'm glad I crossed paths with him on several occasions.

he's still an influence, that will never go away.

tp

PS, the last time Jeff was in Saluda, on the Sat night jam he yelled at me for playing Steel licks on my Tele' , What an honor that was ! First he threatened to throw my picks away, then when he realized I didn't play with picks he threatened to break my "G" string

In one of Jeff's courses he has this tune but but does those low raises and lowers by pushing the finger down behind the nut on the string and releasing the finger. IT HURTS!!!! Perhaps that's why Jeff is using the tuning keys as a banjo player using Scruggs Tuners (sorry b0b) would on a banjo. steve t

It was "Friends" - the Johnny Paycheck tune "Friend don't take her, she's all I got" - the arrangement calls for a capo at the twelvth fret and NO BAR. Harmonics are played with the little finger of the left hand. It's fun to play but it's not easy.

Does anyone know which of Jeff's courses this tune is available on? I have a keyless guitar so I'll have to figure a way around those bends.
Dave.

Its on "Jeff Newman and a Few Good Friends"

John