Learning Lap Steel vs Dobro

Russell Baker · Post by **Russell Baker** » 27 Feb 2016 11:20 am

Ok here is a totally foolish question.

(like that has ever stopped me before)

A while back I started learning C6 Lap Steel

Then I got a Dobro and started to learn that.(standard G Tuning)

Most of my spare time goes to arranging music for the Trio I am in (Guitar and Bass w/percussion) so I haven't had a lot of time to devote to the Dobro or the Lap Steel.

I am sure it varies depending on the person but I do wonder...

Is it easier to learn the Lap Steel first and then the Dobro or the opposite?

Right now In the little time I have I spend I a bit of time on both and am not progressing as much as I would like.

(I do understand that this stuff does not happen over night)

(I have been a acoustic and electric guitar player for over 40 years)

Thanks

Mark Evans · Post by **Mark Evans** » 27 Feb 2016 11:44 am

I will be keeping an eye on this topic.

Played guitar for about 40 years.
Got into lap steel (weissenborn) a couple years ago and love it - basically don't play any 'spanish' style guitar anymore. I play in open C (baritone) and open D or G (standard scale).
Recently, Got an old Supro electric lap, tried C6, but I am so familiar with open D/G etc, that I set it up in open E for blues, etc.

But I find the electric element is a bit foreign and hard to adjust to (palm muting, etc)
AND I am curious about Dobro. Will have to take finger picks/slide to store and just try it.

Mark

Jeff Mead · Post by **Jeff Mead** » 27 Feb 2016 11:58 am

How about tuning your Dobro to C6?

A6 is my primary lap steel tuning and I tune my Dobro the same way.

I'm not playing in a bluegrass band and I mainly use the Dobro when playing with more acoustic style bands and I like being able to use the full minor chords sometimes.

Russell Baker · Post by **Russell Baker** » 27 Feb 2016 12:11 pm

I have been told that tuning a Dobro to C6 doesnt drive the cone enough. I do know that many do tune theirs to A6th.

John Mulligan · Post by **John Mulligan** » 27 Feb 2016 12:50 pm

If possible, decide which one you love more or will use more.

I have a few steels and was learning to play, then I bought a steel body reso, round neck, and went to playing in open D. I've been playing in open D for a long time, but this is the nicest reso I have ever owned. I started ignoring my steels. I went back to playing steel, but my reso is so much fun, I keep learning new stuff. I play solo and the open D reso works best for that.

In the meantime, I switch back to steel now and then, just to make sure I can still play it a little!

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 27 Feb 2016 3:14 pm

i think the dobro is a better medium all around. better for playing with acoustc groups. better tone by itself.
don't have to plug in.
tune it to standard dobro g tuning. that gives you a valid skill to be used for many things.
you can still play the steel as your time permits.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 27 Feb 2016 4:10 pm

I agree with Chris. If you can't decide, then dobro is the best way to go. It is not easy to switch between the two instruments while learning because the technique is different. As you become more accomplished, it's a little easier to switch. Dobro players (good ones) can find gigs easier than lap steel. In fact, I think I'm gonna switch to dobro.

Todd Clinesmith · Post by **Todd Clinesmith** » 27 Feb 2016 5:25 pm

One thing I have noticed over the years of working at festivals and shows selling guitars is:

Steel players in general have better tone than dobro players. I think the electric steel especially with out a lot of effects reveals a lot of slop, bar noise , and poor dampening techniques that can get lost in the mix on an acoustic steel guitar or dobro. I think learning the steel naturally teaches these techniques.

I agree there are way more gigs to be had playing Dobro over steel.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 27 Feb 2016 5:38 pm

Cindy Cashdollar likens it to switching between a manual and an electric typewriter. The technique and feel is that different. Jerry Douglas only half jokingly said in a magazine interview that playing lap steel was wrecking his feel on the Dobro. The point is that both instruments are terrific in their own way but kind of pull in opposite directions.

My opinion? Rather than worry about techniques, which sounds are you really drawn to make? The sound of an electric lap steel through a good amp is a beautiful thing. The mysterious mix of wood, air and metal that make up the sound of the Dobro is unique in the string instrument world and beautiful as well.

You've been playing for 40 years. You know what sounds move you by now. The techniques will come. It's not an either/or proposition but it's best to focus your energies. Life is short. Follow your heart.

Andy Alford · Post by **Andy Alford** » 27 Feb 2016 8:04 pm

The learning route is different for folks. Why not make your choice and be the best you can be. Both guitars come with a life time learning curve.

Russell Baker · Post by **Russell Baker** » 27 Feb 2016 8:24 pm

See I want to learn both instruments.

My Trio plays both acoustic music
and some stuff like Dwight Yoakum
and Marty Stewart.

So I like the Dobro for some stuff
and I like the Steel for other stuff.

My real question is...

Is it easier to learn one instrument first
(not become a master...just get a real good start)
and then start working on the other
or should I just keep going back and forth.

I love the Dobro but I do seem to find
playing the Steel a bit easier.

Keith Glendinning · Post by **Keith Glendinning** » 27 Feb 2016 8:39 pm

Hi Russell.
I first started self-learning standard guitar in 1954. There were very few teachers available here in UK so we had to rely on some questionable "Learn in a Week" publications. My brother and I ploughed away at chords all of the time, mainly full 5/6 string chords. Agony for our still developing hands, but we persevered. I played rhythm guitar and lead guitar in bands between 1956 and 1962, then I had a hiatus until 1982. Eventually I found that I preferred playing finger style over plectrum style for Jazzy stuff and in fact all kinds of music.
Fast forward to the 21st Century. I'm now 75 and get pain in my thumbs playing 6 string, so a couple of years back I decided to try C6 Lap Steel, what a revelation. All of the great jazz chords are available with a little "digging" and it's so good for playing "Standards". I've tried open "D" and open "E" on an acoustic and having listened to lots of great exponents, I know I'll never achieve their level of fluidity. I love the unique sound of the Dobro and it really fits into many styles of music, but Lap Steel can also cut it all ways. Listen to Doug Beaumier, Andy Volk, Mike Neer and Terry Vuncannon. Dom Franco plays great stuff and posts lots of very listenable music.
Whatever you decide, enjoy it, I am!
Keith.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 27 Feb 2016 8:46 pm

learn them both at the same time then.

Keith Glendinning · Post by **Keith Glendinning** » 27 Feb 2016 9:09 pm

I agree with that Chris. They're both unique.
Keith.

Russell Baker · Post by **Russell Baker** » 27 Feb 2016 9:33 pm

Guys....

We all know they are unique.

And they have a different style of playing.

And I do intend to learn both of them.

My original question was...

Did anyone find it was easier to learn

either the Dobro or the Steel first

and then learn the other one.

Or is it best just to keep trying to learn
both at the same time?

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 27 Feb 2016 10:08 pm

some people find one easier than the other.

Dom Franco · Post by **Dom Franco** » 28 Feb 2016 12:45 am

Play both, but I suggest you tune them both the same way. Most of the note/chord learning problems will go away, and your technique can become the main focus.

May I humbly suggest A6th, after 50 years of gigging and recording studio work. It has served me well since it favors playing in the most often used songwriters keys (C, D, E and G) The key of G is centered around the 10th fret, so if you play a lot in G and want the open strings and lower chords...THEN

My second choice would be G6th for the same reasons.

Once I settled in on a single tuning (A6) My repertoire just took off, no more worrying about which songs I could do with which ever instrument...

Dom

Terry VunCannon · Post by **Terry VunCannon** » 28 Feb 2016 8:08 am

Play both if possible. I played guitar for years, and started trying to learn a lap steel first. Then, got a dobro soon after, and have never stopped trying to learn. I have found that keeping a dobro laying laying around makes it easy to get an idea, and simply pick it up and play. A lot of the songs I write have been worked out on a dobro, and moved to the lap steel for recording and live gigs with my band.
And Keith Glendinning, you said "I love the unique sound of the Dobro and it really fits into many styles of music, but Lap Steel can also cut it all ways. Listen to Doug Beaumier, Andy Volk, Mike Neer and Terry Vuncannon." I am not sure that my name belongs in the same sentence with such fine players...but, thanks so much.

Jeff Mead · Post by **Jeff Mead** » 28 Feb 2016 9:08 am

Russell Baker wrote:I have been told that tuning a Dobro to C6 doesn't drive the cone enough. I do know that many do tune theirs to A6th.

Not sure what you mean by "driving the cone hard enough". If you choose the right gauges for your tuning you can get pretty much any string tension you want in any tuning. I've never had any mechanical or tonal problems with my Dobro tuned to A6.

There is hardly any difference in string tension between A6 and C6 (E C# A F# E C# vs E C A G E C) and on both of these, each string is tuned higher than open G so if anything I'd expect them to drive the cone harder (whatever that means).

David Knutson · Post by **David Knutson** » 28 Feb 2016 10:28 am

Well, if it helps, here's a bit of my history. I was playing Dobro already and added electric lap steel in order to achieve bigger volume for bigger venues. I initially used the same tuning for both and began exploring other steel tunings later.
The point: I think it was easier for me to "switch" in that direction because mostly I was lightening my touch for lap steel, while playing the same stuff in he same tuning.
Might I suggest concentrating on one for a week, then the other for a week, or something similar? Finding a good practice routine is sometimes the hardest part.
But one way or another it will come.

John Sluszny · Post by **John Sluszny** » 28 Feb 2016 10:38 am

chris ivey wrote:learn them both at the same time then.

RIGHT !!!

Paul Seager · Post by **Paul Seager** » 28 Feb 2016 11:18 am

Just to the comments of learning both together. I have been playing C6 steel for a while now. I started dabbling with "Dobro" ("" cos I don't have a real one) and it's tuned to open G. I took it up because I had an acoustic guitar with a twisted neck so I just gave it a last shot with a string raiser.

What I find is that although I can adapt a lot of what I know from C6 steel to "Dobro", I find an AWFUL LOT of "Dobro" has started coming into my steel playing. Now that's not to say I would not have found these new riffs or techniques, it's just that learning "Dobro" opened that door earlier.

It does depend a lot on the music. I play old-time country and light western swing on steel. With the Dobro my interest is bluegrass (not that I've played with a bluegrass group yet), where a steel just wouldn't work as well.

Musically, I think the C6 steel is a more complete instrument in that major and minor chords are in easy reach as are 7's and general harmonization is easier. I find open G is frustrating if you want a broad number of chords at your finger-tips. Take a look in YouTube, it seems that either every "Dobro" number is in G or the capo is on. I hate playing with a capo! But those wonderful bluegrass G runs sound so good!

So there are natural benefits to playing both and each compliments the other and you'll have a wider choice of musical styles open to you. Now I am sure someone is going to post a link of a Dobro player doing Coltrane and a steel player playing Scruggs style but for the average player with an average amount of hobby time, I think dabbling both is fun and beneficial.

\ paul

Don Barnhardt · Post by **Don Barnhardt** » 28 Feb 2016 12:00 pm

You have two different instruments that are similar but not alike. Honestly if you have 40 years of musical experience you shouldn't have a problem mastering both.

Howard Parker · Post by **Howard Parker** » 28 Feb 2016 12:50 pm

Paul Seager wrote: Musically, I think the C6 steel is a more complete instrument in that major and minor chords are in easy reach as are 7's and general harmonization is easier. I find open G is frustrating if you want a broad number of chords at your finger-tips. Take a look in YouTube, it seems that either every "Dobro" number is in G or the capo is on. I hate playing with a capo! But those wonderful bluegrass G runs sound so good!
\ paul

As a long time "serious" dobro player I'll admit that there are some techniques that take the leap from dobro to steel.

There is a physicality when playing contemporary dobro that does not translate to steel. You just have to "push" the dobro much harder in order to extract "acceptable tone".

As far as any limitations of open G, sorry I don't buy it. Have a nice listen/look-see:

https://youtu.be/KRpwZ9BkN4E

https://youtu.be/4ZGt7k1-hCs?list=PL138A944C34CB9C79

Slowing down for a minorish Summertime. Maybe 1973 around the time Mike Auldridge became "Mike Auldridge".

https://youtu.be/aULI2bPqJaE

hp

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 28 Feb 2016 1:53 pm

Howard,....you're forgetting one thing......the rest of us are "mere mortals"......

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