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Topic: Blocking --- from a beginner's perspective |
Landon Johnson
From:
Washington, USA
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Posted 24 Nov 2017 7:42 am |
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I've been working on my blocking - I have seen many posts from those who do it well and wanted to give us noobs an idea of what every single one of those ace pickers at some point was doing in their woodshed.
I've settled down into a long, slow development process. I know didactically what needs to be done - I can tell myself exactly how to block a given phrase - but getting it done is another matter.
This video details the approach I am using - for better or worse. I'm always open to suggestions of course...
https://youtu.be/WuKreZg2sYQ |
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Dale Rivard
From:
Ontario, Canada
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Posted 24 Nov 2017 8:53 am
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| Hi Landon, With only 6 weeks in, you're doing great and I think your thought process is bang on. My only suggestions would be, when you're palm blocking: Instead of rotating your hand to the right to block notes, put it straight down on the strings. Then, lift it straight up, just enough to pick the strings to let them ring. It's not a big deal right now when playing slower things but as you want to play faster, keeping the thumb and finger picks as close to the strings as possible will give you economy of motion. For pick blocking: I would suggest, introducing all 3 picks right away. That is, when you play strings 6, 5 and 4, put your thumb on string 6, index finger on 5 and middle finger on 4. When I pick block, I find myself playing in groups of 3 all the time, even when crossing over. Again, great job so far! |
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John McClung
From:
Olympia WA, USA
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Posted 26 Nov 2017 12:17 am
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Landon, you're on the right track, and wise to realize this is a "long game." I concur with Dale about where you're at with palm blocking motions. I allow my students to use your 3-stroke motion in the early days, but try to quickly get them to the proper 2-stroke motion: picking strings and raising the hand and palm off strings is Stroke 1; fingers back in strings and at the same time palm back down to mute what you just played is Stroke 2.
Are you somewhere in Washington state? Where? I'm in Olympia, teaching strictly via Skype these days, but have had a handful of students from Seattle, Portlandia and the TriCities area. Give me a shout sometime.
All best,
John McClung
Pedal Steel Lessons, Casuals, Sessions
Olympia, WA 98512
Email & PayPal fees – steelguitarlessons@earthlink.net
Easy PayPal link: paypal.me/JohnMcClung
Website – http://steelguitarlessons.com
Skype name: professortwang
Cell & text: 310-480-0717
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▪️ If you want to have an ongoing discussion, please email me, don't use the Forum messaging which I detest! steelguitarlessons@earthlink.net |
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Landon Johnson
From:
Washington, USA
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Posted 26 Nov 2017 6:22 am I could use a lesson or two...
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...for sure!
Can you PM me some details and possible times to meet up? Being so close I'd opt for in-person. |
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