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Question about right hand position (Page 3)
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The Steel Guitar Forum
Pedal Steel Archive
Question about right hand position (Page 3)
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| This topic is 3 pages long: 1 2 3 This topic was originally posted in this forum: Pedal Steel |
| Author | Topic: Question about right hand position |
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Bill Sampler Member Posts: 121 |
posted 18 July 2001 10:19 AM
Gentlemen, I've just purchased my first instructional video from Jeff Newman and it is excellent. My question is that the way he demonstrates the right hand position is somewhat uncomfortable for me because I can see that his fingers are longer than mine and I have a hard time keeping the right edge of my hand down for palm blocking. What are the opinions of some of the pro's here about would it be alright for me to 'modify' my right hand position just enough to be comfortable but still be able to palm block or pick block (which amazingly seems to be somewhat natural for me to do anyway)? OR, should I really try and keep the position he teaches. Thanx for everyone comments and suggestions. ------------------ |
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C Dixon Member Posts: 5912 |
posted 18 July 2001 10:54 AM
Bill, You make one of the most valid points made on this forum. This is going to get me in a lot of hot water. But I been there before and to danged old to worry bout it now. Jeff Newman is the world's finest Steel Guitar teachers evah been. Listen to him and try and do what he says. And you will be a better player. But remember that there are somethings that just do NOT apply to all players! I will give you a good example: Bruce Zumsteg who builds one of the world's finest PSG's told me that he realized early on that he simply could NOT learn to play fast. So he devoted his life to playing the slow stuff better. And my oh my did he ever. Some of the sweetest music I have ever heard comes out of his amp. Jeff teaches some excellent points. But those points are STILL Jeff Newman's points of view. And NOT everything he says may fit every one! A Joe Wright can pick block faster than a speedin bullet with a champagne glass resting on top of his pickin hand. And never ever spill a drop. THe ONLY thing moving is his fingers. And they are dazzling the audience with footwork (ERR finger work But there are players who after 100yrs of practice could NEVER do it. It is simply not in them. So my friend, if you sit conscientiously down and earnestly try to follow what the incredible Jeff Newman tells you, and you find out after reasonable time and effort, that you just can not be comfortable with it,,, DON'T SWEAT IT!!! Do it YOUR way. And God richly bless you when you do it, carl |
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Ernie Renn Member Posts: 2657 |
posted 18 July 2001 02:18 PM
Just start with the heel of your hand on the strings muting them and then curve your hand over until you can pick the strings. Here's a picture of Buddy's right hand:  His pinky is held up and he sometimes blocks notes picked with his middle finger, with his ring finger. The notes he picks with the thumb are always blocked with the heel of the hand. Observe the best and learn.  good luck!  ------------------ |
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Gene Jones Member Posts: 5796 |
posted 18 July 2001 02:32 PM
I believe that guy in the picture above has his little finger "hooked" over the top string.....can he play in that position? |
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Steven Cherson Member Posts: 51 |
posted 18 July 2001 03:15 PM
Bill, I will assume you are using the "Right Hand Alpha" course. I dont think Jeff's intention is for you to copy his exact hand position as much as the relation of the crease in your palm to the string you are picking. I too cannot hold my hand like Jeff's, I tend to curl my ring finger and when playing on the high strings I put my pinky over the strings. Steven |
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Donny Hinson Member Posts: 9192 |
posted 18 July 2001 04:14 PM
The pro's give all these tips as guidance...a starting point, as it were. Everybody's physiology is a little different, so you may have to modify these "expert tips" so that you're comfortable. Playing isn't a science, it's an art form, so do what pleases you...as long as it doesn't hold you back. P.S. That bit about the "crease of your palm" and the string you're picking? That one still makes me laugh! |
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Jerry Overstreet Member Posts: 1273 |
posted 18 July 2001 05:55 PM
Hey Bill....you asked for comments from pros....and although I am not a professional steel player, I have been playing one [or trying to] for some 20+years and you may feel free to disregard any or all of my comments. As one of Jeff's students, I also have some trouble getting used to this position but I suggest you study the tape over and over and try your best to follow his instructions. After all, you have just made an investment in this learning material. Jeff is the guru of steel guitar playing technique IMHO and you cannot go wrong w/any of his material. I see from your profile, you have only been playing about 3 months so any method you try is probably going to feel awkward to you. Jeff's approach to teaching entails a lot more than just right hand...and his right hand method does a lot more than get you blocking cleanly...It's about TONE! And no one single thing will get you better tone than this position. Reread Ernie's post and take another look at the picture. How can you argue w/the guy in the picture? He has probably the most delicious tone in the Universe! At least on pedal steel..I mean after all there is Jerry Byrd....and Buddy Charl ton...well I did say probably.[I'll shut up now.] [This message was edited by Jerry Overstreet on 18 July 2001 at 05:58 PM.] [This message was edited by Jerry Overstreet on 18 July 2001 at 06:04 PM.] |
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Al Marcus Member Posts: 7471 |
posted 18 July 2001 10:21 PM
Ernie's picture of THE HAND is about the most perfect position I ever saw. It is close to what Jeff Newman teaches, but more relaxed. Yes , we used to put our little finger around that first string and hang on for dear life in the old days. At my age, I like the slow and easy playing....al.. |
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Dave Diehl Member Posts: 213 |
posted 19 July 2001 02:26 PM
I have been personally taught by two of the best, Jeff Newman and Buddy Charlton. They both say the same thing and I have found that... they are right. Listen to what they say.... it just takes lots of practice and determination. [This message was edited by Dave Diehl on 20 July 2001 at 07:03 PM.] |
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Bob Hoffnar Member Posts: 4278 |
posted 19 July 2001 03:09 PM
Bill, You live in Texas ! Turn off your tv , put a bullet through your computer and go learn how to play steel from one of the many true masters that you are lucky enough to live near. The forum is ok for gossip and complaining but it is garbage for learning compared to first hand experience. Videos are an ok tool but they cannot give you even 2% of what an insightful teacher can give you in person. Bob [This message was edited by Bob Hoffnar on 19 July 2001 at 03:15 PM.] |
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Bill Sampler Member Posts: 121 |
posted 20 July 2001 06:09 AM
Bob, The Senate Appropriations Committee (wife) does not budget any dollars for personal lessons! All of what I know I have learned from the wonderful people here on the forum, and now from the one and only video I have. I have never been to a steel show. And the only time I have ever seen an actual person play steel is when I was in several bands many years ago or on CMT. So I appreciate any suggestions made here on the forum. I print everything out, take it home and practice until my fingers bleed. I just noticed that Jeff's right hand position seems unnatural Thanks for everyones' help. ------------------ |
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Jack Stoner Sysop Posts: 8119 |
posted 20 July 2001 06:46 AM
There are many, many different approaches to the right hand. What is best for one, does not mean it's right for another. If the method shown by Jeff, which is basically the Buddy Emmons right hand approach, does not work for you try something else that does. There are many top notch pickers that do it differently, e.g. Paul Franklin (and his pick blocking techniqe), Hal Rugg, Doug Jernigan, etc. We can't say these super pickers are doing it wrong. But, I will say that whatever method you use it will seem awkward and your hand or wrist may even get tired or a little sore to start with. But over time it will become automatic and you will feel comfortable with it. Palm blocking took me a long time to get really proficient with, and many times I would sit down and practice and curse, but eventually it came around and became something that is automatic and I don't really think about it. |
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Jeff Lampert Member Posts: 2636 |
posted 20 July 2001 07:34 AM
quote: You are talking about setting in place techniques that will last you a lifetime. Hoffnar's advice is the best advice you're gonna get. A few lessons from a grandmaster player will set the course for the next 20 years. Find a way!! [This message was edited by Jeff Lampert on 20 July 2001 at 07:36 AM.] |
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Kenny Radas Member Posts: 234 |
posted 20 July 2001 09:45 AM
I have a question which has confused me for sometime. Looking at the picture above of Buddy Emmons right hand. Which side of the fingerpick does he make contact to the string? It looks like the middle finger would be dead on or maybe to the left (left being the side of the pick closest to the ring finger). The first finger appears to attack the string in the same manner. It looks like he wears his middle finger pick way up high (near the fingernail) and the first fingerpick pushed further down on the finger. Does anyone know why? Looking at the picture it does not seem that the crease line Newman talks about is lined up under Buddy's middle finger. These are just my observations on one of the best right hands in the steel world. Somebody help me on the side of the pick question if you could. Thanks Kenny |
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