Supro Presents: Lap Steel for Guitarists Part 1: Basics
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- Опубликовано: 11 янв 2017
- Matt Smith gives an easy to follow lesson on how to start playing the lap steel with the skills you already have as a guitar player. If you enjoyed the video, give it a thumbs up and don't forget to check out other great videos at www.6stringranch.com.
![[FREE Beginner Lesson] Introduction To C6 Tuning For Lap Steel](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ESvfGlxOG2s/mqdefault.jpg)
Awesome Matt - clearest and most helpful intro to this cool instrument. Now I have the confidence that I can try it. Thanks so much!
.....I can't wait to tell my wife that we will be having a lap steel guitar in yhr house simply so I can play Santo and Johhny tunes. She's going to _love_ it. :-D
Matt Smith is such a monster player. Love watching him play anything.
Useful lesson for this songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Been working on a song that was lacking something in the high end. I inherited a beautiful old Fender 8-string electric lap steel from my grandpa and I've never found the right moment to start using it. When I dusted it off and plugged in I was absolutely astonished how sweet, pure, and mellow it sounded, instant chill bumps.
After a bit of practice and a few videos (including this one) I managed to pull out some (very) simple riffs that have filled out the sound and taken the song to the next level. Sometimes (often) simple is better. The lap guitar is just such a spine-tingling sound, even playing the simplest parts. Maybe it's just the Texan in me, I don't know. The most useful thing I got from this instructional was hand positions and muting, gripping the slide, and trusting my ears instead of my eyes. Thank you :)
Looking forward to this series. My Dad passed this last February and I am now the owner of his late 60's early 70's lap steel that actually comes with legs too. Looking forward to learning to play it.
Did you ever learn
Matt Smith is the Bob Ross of Lap Steel Guitar! Thanks for this lessons.
I have to agree that the thick glass slide is more comfortable. Plus, the clear glass slides have an extra advantage for the beginner, because you can see the fret underneath, making it easier to hit the right notes. It also had a sweeter tone.
Sounds so sweet! He makes it look easy.
I'm personally struggling to play slide. I'm glad to see that a few of these guys do NOT use finger picks, either. Finger and thumb picks frustrate me still, and they feel uncomfortable too.
You are an excellent teacher! Right to the point!
6 String Ranch, thanks for this video, 35 Years ago, i found a 1957 Lap Steel Supro, in a Pawn Shop for $100 Bucks, it was my Birthday, It is White with Black Pinstripes, the pickup looks like a Horseshoe, it still sounds great, Cousin Figel
This series is so great. Gonna get me one.
Actually you're The Man With The Golden Voice! Legit. Thanks for the content too.
I am just beginning to learn the steel lap guitar, I have played the spanish guitar for many years but arthritis prevents me from playing any more and this first video already helped.
same here
Great lesson ! I just ordered my 1st lap steel!
Just started getting into lap steel, dad passed and had a nice resonator I converted to lap steel. Hope to get an electric someday but need to prove myself first before that investment. This video series is great. Thanks for giving me confidence .
hope it's going well.
I have a 1939 Supro lap steel with the original tube amp. But I use a peavy with a d delay and volume pedal. thanks for your video.
thank you very much for teaching me, very good information for people who like me want to add new options to our music!
Hi Matt- Greetings from San Antonio...appreciate this!
I work at Guitar Center and we've got an inexpensive lap steel that I could get for less than $150 with my discount.....really considering it. Plugged it into an Orange Micro Dark and it screamed like a wild banshee, too cool.
I own a 1957 Mother of Pearl, Supro Lap Steel it mint condition. I love the sound and tone.
My great grand father built this instrument back in hhe the 50s. Now i have been given this beautiful instrument.
Good clear instruction Matt, thanks. Liked and Subbed
I've been listening to a lot of Pink Floyd, and really wanted to learn how David Gilmour did the steel on songs like Breathe or One of These Days, and especially the ending solo to High Hopes. But I'm the most beginner of beginners, and these videos seemed like a good way to start. Thanks!
Hows it going now a year later?
@@fromashestoangels378 Still trying! I've got roughly most of One of These Days and nearly all of High Hopes down, but it's real hard to get the notes coming out not too low or high. But as far as tone, I found an affordable little Blues Driver pedal that sort of takes me closer to Floyd's sound, instead of that clean, Hawaiian guitar tone that I had at first. No idea how to play the bits on Breathe, Great Gig, Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast, etc yet, but I'd like to get there someday!
@@distilt1238 I know on the pulse live show he plays a pedal steel which will get the sound you need, unfortunately they are 20x more expensive than lap steel, I’m considering buying a lap steel myself but have no clue about tunings and set ups
This is great! Thank you very much.
Greetings from just down the road in San Antonio! I have a pre-WWII Gibson Steel Lap Guitar. I have been playing guitar for over 30 years now, and I'll be following your videos as I am learning to pick this instrument up. Any input, advice, etc. would be appreciated! Thank you!
Very intriguing instrument, need to learn how to play
This is great - thank you
Great teacher!!!
Great lesson
Lovely. I am a flute player and have recently bought a lap Steel. Lets see how it goes 😊😊
I have visions (don't we all) of playing one of these thru a small Marshall or Fender tube amp for a song I wrote. Would love to get one of these as I tried one abut a year ago.
And I know it says "Lap Steel", but for me?... I need to find a "stage holder" for a Lap Steel. Can't even think of sitting down on stage while playing-not with the song ideas that this particular instrument generates within me. The girl from Larkin Poe has the perfect setup-would love to find something like that. Good series-Subscribed! Thank you so much.
Looking good Matt....
I am gonna learn to play lap steel, lost the ability to play a normal guitar. Now I can play again and I am excited. I will be using C6 tuning to start.
Charming chap! Thx
My main instrument is guitar, but I've had a Melobar 6-string lap steel for about 22-23 years. I've played with it on and off throughout that time, but I've never gotten very good. My technique is ok, but I just can't nail the intonation when playing with others. Watching Matt is one of those experiences where I'm not sure if I want to bear down and try harder or just set my lap steel on fire. lol! He's SO DAMN GOOD...and I know I'll never even get CLOSE to that!!
Jake Mitchell , I felt like that for a long time, but I just kept practicing. Don’t be discouraged, just move slowly, and record your playing on your phone or whatever else you have. It’s really important to play with a guitar track for intonation.
You got this!
Beautiful outro
Super groovey man ..😁
Interesting. Thanks!
Hi Matt! I have a question regarding the tuning and string gauges - are you using the same string gauge for the entire series? What's the string gauge on the Supro? Thanks a bunch, great series!
How much does one go for like the one you got here, or a decent one, in general, that can be played in a band? Is it played the same as a dobro? I was thinking of learning this and dobro..advice, thoughts, etc..
I have a question: I play 6 string lapsteel C6 tuning and I wonder if its possible to play a Major 7th chords on it when you a in a c6 tuning? Thanks! GREAT playing!
Helpful!
Very nice
Hello, where can I buy that kind of custom slide?
Thank you
I had a little Supro lap steel in 1967
I was under the impression or at least with slide on a regular guitar that the aim was to hover over the fret marker not in-between as you normally would?
I just looked up my Supro’s serial number and found out it’s not a 1957, it’s a 1954! Wow!
EXCELLENT
You had me at Texas.
I wish you would put the tone in your play and each song it would help us beginners quite a bit when you play a song it be nice to know the tuning you’re using I know some players can play any song in any turning
I have and play a 1939 supro james williams timeline for video.
Anyone know what kind of slide that is? Can’t seem to find this online
Matt.
Where do you locate your backing tracks?
Cheers from very cold Northumbria
I don't know anything about playing guitar but I really want to play lap steel.
The best slide has always been a shot glass you stile from that one bar when you were 18
Now I just have to start playing the lap steel guitars
Have you started yet? I had a dobro for a while but I do have a 3 string cigar box guitar I use all the time. I started like 4 years ago but have been playing guitar since mid 80's. I have the CGB tuned to my vocal range. It was a cheap one off Amazon with a cardboard box. I will upgrade soon though. I do like the electric one he uses here but I do mostly acoustic stuff now.
Getting into this because of SLOEY AND THE BOATS, MANKOORAS , & LA HULLA GIRLS & TIKIAKI ORCHESTRA
It's nice to know, that a large steel/glass bar is better for holding, possible added weight, and hand control, but how would you use such a bar (as you are using, and have in this video, to do "hammer-ons", and "pull -offs" on a lap steel? That large round end wouldn't allow you to do them. I do enjoy your playing, and I do own an older "Supro". They are a nice instrument.
String Gauge recommendations?
I have been playing the guitar for 51 years and one day my left arm and leg lost sensation, and the tips of my fingers became very painful. Due to the situation with Covid, the examination is waiting for a very long time. I can't walk but I can't play either and I decided to learn lap steel. I could do that, I have a glass dunlop slide and a bronze one made by a friend on a lathe. I chose my Japanese LP from the 70's among the guitars and will study on it until I make one. I play in E open and it goes slowly. It's a bit unusual, I can't. Guitar procesor is very useful with sounds and Loop
I feel like your singing would sound a lot like Ernest Tubb. 👍
Puoi indicare dei libri in italiano per imparare a suonare la lap steel? Grazie mille
I'm interested, I want to learn this instrument
I like the slide. Who makes it?
I’ve got small hand & my fingers can’t reach to make cords on a regular guitar neck. Will this be an issue on a steel guitar?
Brill starter vid
Beginner question: So the slide is basically the fret - or kind of like a capo that moves - except it's not clamping the neck like a capo, just acting like an upside-down nut. That seems to be the best analogy I can think of, an upside-down nut that moves. And this is why the string action is so high off the fretboard... you DON'T want the strings touching the fretboard? And the frets are basically just markers - probably not even raised like on a regular guitar - whose only real purpose is to tell you where to put the slide? And the strings are all tuned to some chord, so if it's a G with open strings, it's an A two frets up? And presumably there's no radius on the neck, like on a classical guitar? It seems shocking that this would actually work, though clearly it does.
Can I begin learning to play this with no guitar experience?
I’m a guitarist and just started lap steel.
Playing chords and melody’s within 1
Hour.
If you have a solid background on guitar
It should run smooth.
Good luck ,and to God be the glory.
Thank you, Matt. You are a great teacher. I'm hoping to get an Epiphone Electar for my B day (the inexpensive repro one). Any thoughts on that one?
Open G never tried one!
@@6stringranch148.... Hi Matt, Thank you for these Lap Steel videos, Greatly appreciated. I am retired and just bought a cheap lap steel by Rogue from the nearest GC store to me, a little over an hours drive from me. I have always loved the pedal and non-pedal upright (as used in a lot of Texas / Country Swing music) steel guitars, but due to "life" and all its commitments, I just never got around to it when I was younger.
I finally got this one, just to see if I can at least learn the basics on it, and hopefully get proficient enough on it, where I can actually enjoy playing it either with some music on YT, or perhaps getting together with some other musical "geezers" like myself and see what kind of noise we can make together... there is a shortage of Bass and steel (of any type) players around these parts (unlike years past) of the mid-west where I am, and have several folks encouraging me to get going on either / or.... and preferably, both.. the bass and the lap steel, so I'm somewhat motivated to accomplish either, or both.
I also have recently bought a couple of bass guitars as well, to try and get back into playing bass, as I have not played since about two years after I came home from "Nam" the last time (3 "tours").... amazing how much harder it is to pick it back up now, compared to when I was around 10 years old, til I was 18.
Anyway, I have Three questions for you.... 1) do you have any Absolute Beginner videos, with NO prior Guitar (6 string) experience, for the lap steel?.... or at least any advice?
2) What is the best "all around" tuning on a lap steel for playing Country, Country Gospel, Western/Texas Swing, and maybe some Bluegrass on rare occasion?
3) What gauge strings would be best for your suggested tunings, and also... would electric (or even acoustical) 6 string guitar strings work?.. and "IF So"... what type (ie: stainless steel, Monel, Nickel, etc, etc.) would be best.
I love the simplicity and conciseness of your teaching, you're very easy to understand and "potentially" (in my case) learn from, which is Very Much appreciated, as compared to some others I've watched on YT. Thank you again for your efforts in bringing your musical knowledge to the forefront and sharing with others of us out here, on the internet.... in such an easy and understandable way.
Thanks for your time, and any possible "rank Beginner" advice you can share.
PS: I just found your videos, tonight... and have subscribed (and "liked") to your channel.
Heya, great video! I just picked up a 60s Harmony H7. I was planning on playing in Open A (where the standard B string is a C#). What strings do you recommend I pick up? I would like to tune to open G and D if possible. Will one set handle those three tunings? Cheers!
String Gauges for Steel Guitar
Updated December 11, 2008
By JOHN ELY
String Gauge Chart
Download this handy string gauge chart.
The string gauge chart below could be used as a general guide for pedal steel guitar, but is primarily aimed at steel guitar without pedals. Depending on your tuning and other factors, there is leeway and room for personal choice when stringing up a "straight" steel guitar. For pedal steel, the choices are more limited due to the physics of raising and lowering strings. For the most part, pedal players should stick to the manufacturer's recommended gauges for their particular tuning and pedal setup.
Aside from steel guitar tunings, choice of string gauges is probably the most asked about technical topic in setting up a steel guitar. Below I have listed common string gauges used for each pitch from the rarely used high A string to the low A (very few will try to tune a note below this pitch).
String Tension On Your Guitar
Each pitch has a range of acceptable gauges. There are a couple of reasons for this. Some players prefer a loose fitting string and use gauges that are smaller than normal. Others prefer strings to be on the tight side and use the larger gauges listed. [Example: Using a .015 gauge for the high E-string will have a tighter feel than a .014 gauge string.]
Scale length can be a factor when selecting gauges. If you use identical string gauges on both a short scale guitar (22-22.5 inches from the bridge to the nut) and a long scale guitar (24-24.5 inches), the string tension on the long scale instrument will be noticeably greater. From the chart below, you can see that for Middle C, a .017 gauge string is normal. On a short scale instrument, string tension is lower so you might consider using an .018 gauge string. Some instruments have a "super long scale", 26 inches and beyond. For these instruments you probably will need to use the smallest of the recommended gauges; string tension will be significantly greater on these guitars. Also, if your tuning uses a high G or high G# and you have one of these super long scale models, you may have trouble with excessive string breakage, especially if there are irregularities at the nut or bridge. You may have to drop the tuning a step or two.
Those Bothersome Middle Gauges
Either unwound or wound strings can be used for pitches at or near A below middle C (gauges .020 to .024). However, this range of gauges presents some peculiar problems.
Unwound strings over .020 gauge can have a sort of "squirrely" sound due to the thickness of the core wire. You can almost hear the pitch blurring or sounding indefinite. This is really noticeable for .024 gauge and even .022 gauge. The advantage of unwound strings is they aren't as noisy as wound strings when using Hawaiian-style vibrato with the bar (that is, sliding the bar across the strings instead of rolling the bar). Note also that unwound strings in this range tend to be "unstable" from the point of view of intonation. Even the slightest drop or rise in temperature (from the heat generated by your palms, for example) can throw the string noticeably out of tune.
Conversely, wound strings in this range are more clear sounding, stable, and definite in pitch, but are more noisy when using Hawaiian vibrato.
Many players will base their selection of middle gauges on tonal blend. Wound strings in this range tend to have a bright, buzzy tone quality and can "stick out" when played in combination with higher unwound strings. For example, some C6th players (some great ones, I might add!) like to use an unwound .024 gauge G string, which blends well with the unwound strings above it (A, C, and E). Others find that the tonal differences between the wound and plain strings make the blended sound fatter. A lot depends on how you pick and, quite honestly, what you like to hear.
Use of wound or unwound strings is a personal choice and for most players involves some compromise. Personally, I prefer the stability and clarity of wound strings and can live with the more scratchy vibrato, but I know plenty of great players who would disagree with me.
Round or Flatwound Strings?
From the above discussion you can see that wound strings present some problems relating to tone and the use of vibrato. Some players have moved from the normal roundwound string to flatwound strings, which almost completely eliminates that scratchy sound you get from sliding the bar back and forth. A potential disadvantage is that flatwound strings are much less bright tonally, and that will bother some players including myself. You can now get semi-flatwound strings, which are fairly quiet on Hawaiian style vibrato while still retaining some of the brightness of round-wound strings. If the bright, buzzy sound of round-wound strings bothers you or you can't handle the associated vibrato noise, flatwound or semi-flatwound strings may be your answer.
An Inexact Science
A final note on this subject. It is not always possible to find a great selection of string gauges at your local music store. If you have to use a string that is one or two gauges smaller or larger than the recommended gauge range, you're still going to be okay. This is especially true for the larger wound strings. Any string over .030w can cover a wider range of pitches than the chart would indicate, so despair not if you're missing a few key string gauges and can find a reasonable substitute.
String Gauge Chart
Pitch Gauge Range My Choice
A .009 to .011 .010
G#/Ab .010 to .011 .011
G .011 to .012 .012
F#/Gb .012 to .013 .013
F .013 to .015 .013
E .013 to .015 .014 Guitar High E
D#/Eb .014 to .016 .015
D .015 to .017 .016
C#/Db .016 to .018 .017
C .016 to .018 .017 Middle C
B .017 to .019 .018
Bb/A# .018 to .020 .020
A .020* to .022* .021
G#/Ab .024* to .026* .024w
G .024* to .026* .024w
F#/Gb .024w to .026w .026w
F .026w to .030w .028w
E .028w to .032w .030w
D#/Eb .028w to .032w .032w
D .032w to .036w .034w Guitar D String
C#/Db .034w to .038w .036w
C .034w to .038w .036w
B .034w to .038w .038w
Bb/A# .034w to .038w .042w
A .040w to .044w .042w
G#/Ab .042w to .046w .046w
G .044w to .048w .048w
F#/Gb .048w to .052w .052w
F .052w to .056w .054w
E .054w to .058w .056w Guitar Low E
D#/Eb .056w to .060w .058w
D .060w to .064w .060w
C#/Db .060w to .068w .064w
C .064w to .068w .068w
B .064w to .068w .068w
Bb/A# .068w to .072w .072w
A .068w to .072w .072w
* Either wound or plain acceptable
Example String Gauges for Common Tunings
C6th A6th E7th C6th C13th
E .014 E .014 E .014 G .012 E .014
C .017 C# .017 B .018 E .014 C .017
A .021 A .021 G# .024w C .017 A .021
G .024w F# .026w E .030w A .021 G .024w
E .030w E .030w D .034w G .024w E .030w
C .036w C# .036w B .038w E .030w C .036w
A .042w G# .046w C .036w Bb .042w
F# .052w E .056w A .042w C .068w
Here ya go! John Ely knows!
Dang! Thank you for this!
@@6stringranch148 holy shit dude get a life. Like no offense I just feel bad that you actually took the time to write that novel all because of a simple question that could have been answered with " a set of 12s will do ya fine..."
no need to be a dick lmao. it looks like it was copied and pasted anyways
Awesome touch.I want to hear the entire whole thing you were playing in this video.I learned lap steel electric guitar from my teacher but after his death I left playing guitar for more than twenty years But till date I love this instrument. Would you please confirm that you will play the same number.In India we don't have a good teacher.
ruclips.net/video/QQYgNeoU2vc/видео.html
The strings used are steel string, used in regular guitars? Thank you 🤓
Hi, Do you tune the thickest strings E and A Up or Down?
Mike Kelly
Low E up to G
A up to B
Great thing about lap steel, the neck won’t bend!
I know nothing about guitar. I want to learn something about lap steel. I play the harmonica. Slide is very cool.
Tony Stephens would be a great second instrument.
Tony, it's been a year since you posted this. Did you start learning lap steel? If not, I bet you wish you had, lol. The year went by and you could be well on your way to expert level! I bet a harmonica player could adjust to steel guitar quickly because you're used to finding pitch with your ear, rather than pressing a key or holding down on a specific fret.
I had a Supro lap steel I bought use in 1967 for$10 and sold it at a swap meet in 1969 for $10 , wish I would have kept it
Sir , i m a student of Hawaiian acoustic i mean lap steel guitar . i want to play imagine dragon thunder. Can u make a tutorial for this song ??? Plzzzzzzzz. I m a new subscriber of your channel plz make a tutorial on that song plzzz
Many thanks, Matt. Now for my first ever instrument do I spend CDN $ 500 - 800 for a vintage Supro / National / Gibson? I have a good ear plus a vintage Regal R-1130 tube amp......🌝🌚🌝🌚🌝🌚...... I will know once I have plugged it in.
very simple instruction like it should be ...my first guitar teach lost interest in me.....i had music training but was not familiar with guitar...
been play instruments of some kind for 40 years enjoy playing the instrument that are not well known generally ukui, mandolin and i own many guitars fretless, various configs of guitars that i got here and there! lap steal just looks fun and i found a good price for entry level. cheers
Great tips. Thanks. Pity this guitar is no longer available.
Loadsa other cheeper justs as good lap steels out there that won't break the bank ?👍💰🏴🥃
Hi Matt! Just one question. What gauge strings are you using on that? Many thanks. Greetings from Dublin, Ireland.
"Dobro" G tuning:
D .016
B .018
G .024w
D .034w
B .038w
G .046w
awesome! just one question: what tuning is he using?
He tells you.
G
Great tutorial! What strings do you use?
"Dobro" G tuning:
D .016
B .018
G .024w
D .034w
B .038w
G .046w
tuning at 3:06
I think I found out: open G chord tuning, right?
Yes, High G, low to high:
G B D G B D
Song at the end?
do u have your version?
It’s one of my songs called “Greenfield Grove” there’s a full videos of me performing the song on the 6 String Ranch RUclips channel. In D Tuning
the reason I ask is, that when I use CEGACE, things tend to sound TOO country, if I want to use it in country/rock/pop songs like ruclips.net/video/krNNMFpA1wY/видео.html
I could listen to this guy talk about lap steel guitar until the cows come home.
But how can you make a minor chord? Confused.
Christopher Finn
Lesson 2 explains this. To make a minor chord, play 3 frets up from the major chord. For example, A is on the second fret. If you play a C chord, (5th fret), it makes an Aminor 7 chord, as long as someone( bass player) plays an A note.
This will make A C E G, or an A minor 7 chord!
How skilled do you have to be to attempt to place the slide cooked to demonstrate an out of tune string and have it still come out relatively in tune
I ended up buying a square neck Dobro, but I think all Lap Steel lessons will work the same with Dobro.
The first challenge for guitarists is finding a bar that doesn't look like some kind of adult toy
Wait, I’m not supposed to be using a sex toy? 🤣🤣
Any UK based lap steel players around?
Hi Ollie , my friend Chris Eaton is brilliant check him out . Good luck
What’s the song at the end of the video?
Andre Ferraz It’s a song called Greenfield Grove
Full version on the 6 String Ranch RUclips channel!
Thanks for your interest
ruclips.net/video/QQYgNeoU2vc/видео.html
6 String Ranch thank you! I already did my version:
ruclips.net/video/1HdfYQSe9_g/видео.html
6 String Ranch 😋😬
4:54
K
High G tuning or dobro tuning G B D g b d
I suggest to any guitar player who wants the REAL steel sound to tune CEGACE or any variation of that. You can’t get the real sound without that close 6 135613
Paul Hatton I disagree, C6 tuning makes everything sound like Western swing or hawaiiian. I love C6 tuning, but for a lot of music, high G, D , E or A will get you where you want to be, without “coloring” the sound with the 6 and 9.
I do agree if you want the traditional country swing sound, C6 is a great way to go, however, I find high G to be extremely versatile.
6 String Ranch
I agree C6 is the sound for Western swing or Hawaiian steel but it’s not at all versatile. Everything sounds like Western swing or Hawaiian- which is fine if that’s what you want. Modern country sounds and blues don’t work with so well as it’s quite limiting. The Dobro G tuning is very versatile and used by country and blues players alike. After trying C6, I’ve settled on Dobro G for mine as I came from playing Dobro.
Incidentally it’s the tuning Megan uses in Larkin Poe too.
If you’ve played Dobro it’s the perfect tuning.
STEEL GUITAR WAS INVENTED BY Hawaiian JOSEPH KEKUKU in the 1880's in Hawaii.
Ah the SpongeBob instrument