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Right hand technique
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The Steel Guitar Forum
Pedal Steel Archive
Right hand technique
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This topic was originally posted in this forum: Pedal Steel |
| Author | Topic: Right hand technique |
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Missy James Member Posts: 146 |
posted 21 May 2000 06:57 AM
Somewhere in the far reaches of my memory, it seems to me that correct technique for right hand is to dampen the last string played just prior to picking the next note....Correct???? Well, I'm having some trouble getting a hand position (i.e., finger curl, hand angle, pick adjustments) that feels just right and can't seem to be able to dampen the strings like I need to. Can some of you respond and tell me how your right hand "feels" or "looks like" when you're holding correct position??? Thanks! |
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Jeff Lampert Member Posts: 2636 |
posted 21 May 2000 07:38 AM
Missy, Search around the postings in Bar Chatter. Many of the players have web site links that include, among other things, pictures of themselves playing, and they usually have gone out of the way to make sure that they are showing correct hand positioning. If I happen to notice one, I'll send you the link. .. Jeff |
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Moon in Alaska Member Posts: 1155 |
posted 21 May 2000 09:17 AM
Missy, I think the main thing is to learn to usae the little crease in your palm which is near your little finger. This crease don't block good so you keep this crease at least out past the highest string you are using at any given time. In other words, if you are playing the 4th and 6th string, your right hand extends across the string far enough that the crease is past the 4th string. Moving your right hand back and forth is strange at first, but believe me, it will become automatic with pratice. Your right hand will end up in a 45 degree angle across the strings. Good Luck !!  ------------------ |
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Bob Hoffnar Member Posts: 4278 |
posted 21 May 2000 10:17 AM
Jeff Newman's vid "Right Hand Alfa": www.jeffran.com/ Lots of information on this issue on Joe Wright's site: The best thing is to find a teacher to make sure you are on the right track. Other than that you need to practice alot. It takes a while. I think it is the most difficult part of playing the steel. Bob ------------------ |
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Steve Feldman Member Posts: 2983 |
posted 21 May 2000 10:19 AM
what bob said... |
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Richard Sinkler Member Posts: 2896 |
posted 21 May 2000 07:07 PM
What Steve said... ------------------ |
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Lem Smith Member Posts: 1501 |
posted 21 May 2000 08:52 PM
These three links are to the pictures of Lloyd Green playing his famous fingertip tuner Sho~Bud. They are some pretty good shots of his hand positions. Hope this helps. Lem Thanks to Greg and the Sho~Bud site for having these pictures!!! ------------------ |
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David Weaver Member Posts: 575 |
posted 22 May 2000 02:45 PM
All of the above. Try this: 2. Roll your hand to a 45 degree angle toward the palm. 3. Curl your middle finger back toward you, under the thumb.Let your other fingers relax and curl a bit. 4. Extend your thumb a bit as if you were using a thumbpick. Parallel to were strings would be. Your wrist will curl just a little. 5. Relax your middle finger a little and let it fit into a natural picking position. If I've done this correctly, your hand should be in a pyramid shape, and if you watch the crease...as mentioned above, it should sit on or above the string you are picking. My little finger extends a bit, although it is quite curled...as are all the fingers, and sometimes I use the little finger to hold the first string...just for reference. Bounce your hand up and down a few times and it will start to take a natural shape. There should be a pyramid look to your hand with the first knuckle on top. The dampening occurs along the side of the hand. The part you "bounce". [This message was edited by David Weaver on 22 May 2000 at 02:46 PM.] [This message was edited by David Weaver on 22 May 2000 at 02:49 PM.] |
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Jeff Lampert Member Posts: 2636 |
posted 22 May 2000 03:55 PM
Hey David, Pretty good description for something that is tough to describe. .. Jeff |
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Curry Coster Member Posts: 83 |
posted 22 May 2000 04:41 PM
Missy- I find that it helps me keep my hand in the proper position if I keep my right elbow close to my side. This keeps my right arm perpendicular to the strings and makes moving my hand back and forth easier. Always move your right hand slightly forward or back to get to a string-don't reach out for it with your finger. Works for me. Curry |
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Moon in Alaska Member Posts: 1155 |
posted 22 May 2000 06:13 PM
I think David must be a TEACHER !! That explanation was really GOOOOOOOOD !! |
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David Weaver Member Posts: 575 |
posted 23 May 2000 08:39 AM
Thanks fellas! Nah, I aint the teacher. I'm just the nerdy student who raises his hand at the end of the class and says "Teacher, Teacher !! You forgot to give us the homework!" |
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Missy James Member Posts: 146 |
posted 24 May 2000 04:29 AM
Thanks, David - great stuff. BTW, I was one of those nerds, too.... |
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Dan Behringer Member Posts: 11 |
posted 28 May 2000 09:48 PM
Missy, Here's a couple of idea's that I used when trying to learn the impossible act of string muting. #1 Start Slow #2 Keep It Simple ------------------ |
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BJ Bailey Member Posts: 1184 |
posted 28 May 2000 11:28 PM
David I also must say thats a good demo to pass on thanks. ------------------ |
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