Playing "Dobro" in a standing position!

[Paul Seager]

I am off to a bluegrass workshop in a couple of weeks and noticed in photos from previous years that dobroists are playing standing and it occured to me I have never tried this. So I fashioned a make-shift strap and the instrument balances just fine but my playing is plain clumsy, really a regression!

The bar is coming down too hard on the strings, my left hand muting is simply too much, meaning I seem to not get off the strings when moving the bar. Indeed standing seems actually an uncomfortable and unnatural way of playing dobro!

I have ordered a made-for-purpose strap but I don't think my make-shift is the issue. The problem feels more as to how much the dobro should tilt away from ones body. I've set the length of the strap so that the instrument is roughly in line with my navel. Whilst I'll never use the stagename "Slim Seager", I am not particularly portulent either!

Any ergonomic advice here ... or is it another case of just "shut up and learn to do it"!

[Brooks Montgomery]

A good strap that holds the dobro rock steady will be a big help. Adjust it so it is close to your sitting position. Tuck that right elbow in tight to your side. Anchor with your left hand pinky, when you can, when moving note-to-note.

And you’ll notice that the neck will angle more forward than the perfect right angle that you’re probably situating the instrument when sitting.
When sitting, replicate that angle when practicing. And play with dobro slightly tilting away. But don’t practice sitting if you can help it.

Study closely pictures of guys like Jerry Douglas, Rob Ickes , as to where the narrow part of the guitar body rests in relation to their anatomy.

And put in 40 hours. It’ll come round.

[Howard Parker]

Agree w/Brooks.

I've been performing bluegrass dobro for 45 years and a proper strap is one key for success. I don't lose any functionality at all.

Proper instruction and time in the saddle is required. Just like everything involved in learning, playing & performing.

"If it were easy, anyone could do it"

hp

[Jack Hanson]

I can't play my resos with a strap to save my soul. I place mine in a Deluxe34 stand with a special wide body bracket. Works for me!

[Howard Parker]

I can't play my resos with a strap to save my soul. I place mine in a Deluxe34 stand with a special wide body bracket. Works for me!

In my line of performance (bluegrass/Americana) as it is for many players of my ilk, Some stage mobility is required. A stand would not be practical.

I will say that I've worked with a bunch of regional folks who had some difficulty. Without exception they are all doing just fine now.

ymmv

hp

[Frank Nims]

Absolutely get a purpose-made Dobro strap.

It's just one more thing to work on until you get it right.

Lots of videos of dobroists in concert on youtube, study how they do it.

[Jonathan Scherer]

It took me a few times to get comfortable playing dobro with a strap, at first it seemed quite awkward, but then within a week, standing with a strap became much preferred to sitting with reso on lap.

If I do play sitting, I still keep the strap on dobro and on my body the same as when standing.

Lots of different straps availlable, I am happy with a purchased used Lakota Leathers strap, but it is soft. If I played more dobro songs in a set, might prefer a stiffer strap, but usually out of twenty or thirty songs, I am only playing dobro on six to ten songs.

Good luck!

J

[Bobby Martin]

Years ago, Mike Auldridge showed me how to tuck your right arm UNDER the strap putting extra pressure on it keeping your arm in tight and stabilizing the Dobro.

[Paul Seager]

Thanks all. I probably should have thought to check before posting but Troy Brenningmeyer has a very helpful YT video on this very subject! (he always does!)

Troy advises to kind of tuck the instrument over the right hip bone. That actually makes the right side of the strap tighter and pushes the headstock down a little. Getting there!

[Dave Ross]

All good information on using purpose-made Dobro straps.

When you go the strap route, please, please, PLEASE add another investment in a strap lock system.

Guitarists can get away without strap locks (sort of) because if the strap disengages, they have one or two hands/arms holding the instrument.

With Dobro, there is no safety net. The strap comes off, the Dobro goes to the floor. And you cry.

Schaller is the preferred strap lock for many Dobro players; the Dunlop Straplok is also effective. Easy to install, about $30 for a pair, and the cheapest insurance you can get. Maybe the cheapest accessory.

[Gary S. Lynch]

I have been playing dobro for a number of years and take Zoom lessons with Troy Brenningmeyer.
You may want to checkout his free YouTube link. Playing dobro while standing.
His video is very helpful for guidelines. This link should work.
Gary


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zh8YBRamUhw

[Paul Seager]

Schaller is the preferred strap lock for many Dobro players ...

Good point! I confess my usual strap-lock (non dobro) is the rubber seal that one can pull off the cap of certain beer bottles! However as Schaller is a quality German company I'll certainly check their offering.

Thanks Dave

[Chris Templeton]

When I played with hula groups, I played my lap steel on a stand, that Ray Knapp made me, and stood up.
Playing with a volume pedal can cause problems because standing on one leg can cause spinal issues, so I ended up switching legs and changing volume pedal sides to remedy this.
Standing up makes for a better looking show.

[Brett Day]

I've tried playing dobro in a standing position, but because of my cerebral palsy in my left hand, it wasn't easy because I couldn't get a good grip of the bar with my left hand. So, when I play dobro at jam sessions and in my church's band, I always play dobro sitting down because the dobro is how I play lap steel. I don't walk around with my dobro strapped on, so when I get ready to play, I always sit down first. I use a Neotech dobro strap that a friend of mine from Illinois sent me and use a Dunlop strap button