The Steel Guitar Forum

I'm working my way through the Basic C6 and have heard that I'm supposed to have my thumb in the end for slants. Does this mean ALL slants? My thumb isn't so long, finding it easier to do forward slants by just holding the bar by it's barrel. Reverse slant, now that works easy with the thumb in the end. Do you recommend persevering along trying to use the thumb in the hole for all slants? I'm having a lot of fun after a couple of false starts. I just have an SX with the stand, and I'm really enjoying the Fender Volume/Tone Pedal that my wife got me for Christmas. Digging the slant sounds, especially the 10-11-11 kind. Thanks for your help.

from GeorgeBoards :

Here is a Video <Click< that is is about How to Clean Up and Smooth Out Some Slants and Pedal Licks.

Angle Bar Slants For C6th Tuning -- Part # 2 Video << Click <<

This is the Direct Link to 3 Note Forward Slants <<CLICK<<

3 Note MINOR Forward Slant << CLICK<<

3 Note Forward Diminished - Augmented

3 Note Forward Diminished - Augmented << CLICK<<

The above referenced Georgeboards videos are EXCELLENT.

I'll take my Rogue Jersey Lightning and my Danelectro Hodad battery powerd mini-amp and sit in front of my computer and work on the slants right along with MR.Boards.

The reverse slants are much easier with your thumb on the bottom of the bar. I just purchased a Bullet Bar from Mr. Jim Burden. It has a nice indention on the bottom that makes it easier for the thumb to get a "bite" on. He'll also make the bar in any length you choose, so your short thumb shouldn't be a problem. I went from a 3 1/4" bar with no indention to a 3" bullet bar with indention, and you wouldn't believe the difference it makes. Bar manipulation, especially on reverse slants is so much easier.

His prices are very affordable, too.

Bullet Bars

Warren, you probably noticed in the video that the thumb on the bar stays along the bar's middle side during the forward slant, never venturing much towards the tail end, but just enuf to keep a balanced pressure as the fingers guide the bullet end. Your thumb is the perfect size for this! Also, learn to keep a nice vibrato going (when needed) with your slants.

One negative I noticed in the video clip, which may promote a bad habit; the player's left arm and wrist move to the left when making the slant instead of staying stationary. Instead, there should be NO wrist or arm movement when simply manipulating the bar, only use your fingers and thumb, they do the moving, not your wrist. Minimal movement is a key, only do what you must do, once you have it down, accurate and musical slanting is easy.

Wow! You guys are awesome, thanks so much.

Why not learn from the best?
The Master of touch and Tone himself

http://www.scottysmusic.com/byrdvideo.htm