The Steel Guitar Forum

Some talk on hereabout technique. It is called the left hand exercise but it has a right hand benefit too. I've been at it for a few days exclusively. It really works.there is a multipage post that started 2 years ago for all you newbies.

Time to get started!

I've been searching for Pauls exercise and can't find would someone point me to the page? Thanks a Bunch , Dan Layne

Check your email.

That is absolutely golden. I missed it the first time around. Thanks a million for reviving the thread and posting the link.

I can't read the whole thread right now to confirm whether or not this got mentioned but another variant of this exercise is to pick 8, 7 ascending, 7, 8 descending. This creates scales (especially on the 3 fret and 4 fret exercises) with which one can shoot for smoothness at the bar shifts.
Not in lieu of Paul's suggestions & instructions (I'm not a idiot---I take his advice very much to heart) but in addition.

Thanks for Franklin's link! That was posted before I bought my steel.
-Dan

Thanks a Bunch for the link I searched for. about an hour for it ,such a Great Forum when everyone will help anyone!!!!

I added the note names to my own personal study to assist me on this one (and to add one more checkmark on the list - fretboard knowledge reinforcement). Sharing now, if anyone's interested:

Franklin wrote:The first line is an E augmented scale pattern......
0...2...4...6...8...10...12...10...8...6...4...2

7-- F# -- G# -- A# -- C - D -- E -- F# -- E -- D -- C -- A# -- G# -- F#
8-- E -- F# -- G# -- A# -- C -- D -- E -- D -- C -- A# -- G# -- F# -- E

Franklin wrote:don't stop here play the next line.
The second line is a E diminsh scale pattern.....
0...3...6...9...12...9...6...3

7-- F# -- A -- C -- Eb -- F# -- Eb -- C -- A -- F#
8-- E -- G -- Bb -- Db -- E -- Db -- Bb -- G -- E

Franklin wrote:again don't stop that scale type rhythm...now play
The third line is an E augmented scale pattern....
0...4...8...12...8...4

7-- F# -- A# -- D -- F# -- D -- A# -- F#
8-- E -- G# -- C -- E -- C -- G# -- E

Franklin wrote:and the last step of this circular style of bar practice, play
The fourth line is a scale pattern of stacked fourths......
0...5....10...15...10....5

7-- F# -- B -- E -- A -- E -- B -- F#
8-- E -- A -- D -- G -- D -- A -- E

I have seen reference to a "5-minute intonation exercise" apparently posted by Paul Franklin...But have never found it. Anyone know what that is?

Will Van Horn wrote:I have seen reference to a "5-minute intonation exercise" apparently posted by Paul Franklin...But have never found it. Anyone know what that is?

Take a look at the link that Jon Light provides in his post above. The whole enchilada is described in detail by Mr Franklin himself.

Thanks John. I don't think the "5-minute intonation exercise" is the "bar-hand exercise". At least, I wouldn't refer to it as such...But maybe that is what was being referenced.

There are three whole step adjacent pairs of strings on E9. I use them all going up and down then changing to the next pair. This exercise can be done with a rythmic feel using eighth note patterns and alternating the use of the index and middle fingers. I've been doing this for 90% of my seat time lately. When I play my other stuff I have a sensation of relaxation and accuracy. I started this when Paul posted this 2 years ago. Initialy it was a chore so I stopped and re-started from time to time. This time I doubled down and have left the "chore plateau". Really diggin it now.