The Steel Guitar Forum

I've always believed in exhausting all possibilities and looking for new ways to do things, and I thought some of you might be interested in something a little different.

While this will certainly not replace slanting or the need for mastery of that technique, it does offer good alternatives and even some really cool possibilities, most of which I will not show on this video. However, I think this short clip gives a very good look at the essence of it. I don't believe I have ever heard of anyone doing something like this before, so I will take full credit (or blame), thank you very much. It's something I've been fooling around for a little while.

Check it out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxeYZnU4hOA

Any ideas for a name for this technique? I think "pushing the strings" seems pretty obvious. Or how about "downward-facing dog"?

Interesting. I've never seen that technique. So are you pushing down strings 1 & 2, but not string 3? Are the pushed strings raised by the same intervals or different intervals (for each string)?

You can push down whichever strings you like, but it has to be with either end of the bar. In this case, I am pushing down 2 and 3. String 5 stays at original pitch.

Mike Neer wrote: Or how about "downward-facing dog"?

I like that. It's a discovery all right, waiting for someone to do it.
I guess nobody thought you could do it. I might even be able to.

The Neer technique could become famous.
It might be called the Neer Hit.

Very cool! I've only seen pushing the strings as either a vibrato technique or to push a slant on tune, never for chords. So you've found a new technique! If Jerry Byrd had P'Tah, do we call this M'Neeh?

How about "dipping the bar"? Or "bar digging"? I like that one.

Like I've said, I have a few other uses for it, but I'm not letting them out of the bag...yet!

Digging the bar. What you're not going to share your ideas, your home phone, and the secret to the universe?
It's harder than it looks, the secret to an invention, where no one else can do it.

I missed your tuning. Is that your A6 neck?

I'm also interested in the little amp behind you.

Charlie, that is a C13 neck. I don't really use A6 unless it is specifically needed.

The amp is an old 60s Sano 250R, with 7591 tubes and Altec speakers (a mod by me). It's an accordion amp, supposed to stereo.

Cool.

Cool technique Mike...I'm surprised how accurate it is.

I like the term "dousing", because this method of dipping for notes reminds me of my grandfather and great grandfather's method of divining with a dousing rod or willow fork where a new well should be placed.
I have to get to my steel to see, but can this technique be used to raise the minor third and fifth notes of a minor chord to make an augmented?
Now I have to go and see how easily this works for me.
Whatever you call it, it is out there in the world now, and we thank you.

Bar digging
Downward Dawg
Nose diving
Submarining

The 'Neer push'

Fresh approach like it.

Don McGregor wrote:... can this technique be used to raise the minor third and fifth notes of a minor chord to make an augmented?

That was how I thought I was hearing it, or imagining it from the tuning.

Mike, way cool technique! Maybe call it "The string stretching, manipulative diminished chord extender" then again? Very inventive.....

Don McGregor wrote: I have to get to my steel to see, but can this technique be used to raise the minor third and fifth notes of a minor chord to make an augmented?

Don, since the interval between a min 3rd and perfect 5th of a chord is a maj 3rd, if you have adjacent strings with that interval, then it is possible. However, what lies on the strings below those strings is what matters; otherwise, you could just slide up.

It is difficult to use this technique on the 1st string. One has to play around with gauges, which affects the tone. In my opinion or for my purposes, it's not worth it. However, I have found some cool uses for the technique on all other strings.

This is cool technique for the more chordally minded players. Some of the voicings I can get with C6 remind me of some the chords I've heard Joaquin play with pedals. I do use it for single note playing, too, though, when sliding the bar would interrupt the smoothness of the line.

If I tried it, I'm pretty sure it would be a Neer miss.

I like that you are adding it to your skill set rather than using it as an alternative to slanting. Creating a new dimension to your playing...cool...

How about "lowering the bar"?

Mike Neer wrote:How about "lowering the bar"?

Perfect 😊

Neer Enough....

Neerly dipping? stringy dipping? string diving? Bar diving? Dip stretching? Bar press?

I like "bar press". That defines it pretty well.

It is a Bar Slant . . . a Downward Bar Slant.

~Rw