Reverse slant exercise for Dobro or High A

Guy Cundell · Post by **Guy Cundell** » 6 Nov 2014 11:30 pm

Here is a reverse slant exercise that someone might find useful.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 7 Nov 2014 3:24 am

Thank you Guy, nicely done!

Stan Paxton · Post by **Stan Paxton** » 7 Nov 2014 1:37 pm

I can sure use this

If I can just figure out how to copy this page.

Thanks Guy ...

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 7 Nov 2014 3:17 pm

Stan, if you're using a PC just right click on the image and then click on "Print Picture" or "Save Picture".

Stan Paxton · Post by **Stan Paxton** » 7 Nov 2014 3:57 pm

Hey Doug, It worked. ...After I got my grandson to hook up and configure my printer connection. ...Thanks

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 7 Nov 2014 4:34 pm

That's great, Stan!

Stan Paxton · Post by **Stan Paxton** » 7 Nov 2014 5:50 pm

Doug, I was just listening to your Cold,Cold Heart, and that was Great, too. Always loved that tune, and how everybody has a little different way of interpreting it on the Steel. ...

Jeff Spencer · Post by **Jeff Spencer** » 9 Nov 2014 1:08 pm

Well done Guy. I'll be using this.

Adam Nero · Post by **Adam Nero** » 10 Nov 2014 9:34 am

I find reverse slants to be so difficult with a dobro-style bar. They've become manageable on steel with my bullet bar, given the indentation on the back end. Does anyone else have this issue?

Michael Kienhofer · Post by **Michael Kienhofer** » 10 Nov 2014 10:32 am

Adam Nero wrote:I find reverse slants to be so difficult with a dobro-style bar. They've become manageable on steel with my bullet bar, given the indentation on the back end. Does anyone else have this issue?

Difficult at first but with practice and the right bar can be done .

Adam Nero · Post by **Adam Nero** » 10 Nov 2014 11:20 am

Michael Kienhofer wrote:
Adam Nero wrote:I find reverse slants to be so difficult with a dobro-style bar. They've become manageable on steel with my bullet bar, given the indentation on the back end. Does anyone else have this issue?
Difficult at first but with practice and the right bar can be done .

What bar works for you?

Michael Kienhofer · Post by **Michael Kienhofer** » 10 Nov 2014 11:38 am

Adam I now use a EG Smith,but a Dunlop lap dog on occasion.

Like most "Dobroists" we have a big pile of these in our collection.
I takes trail and error to find the right bar that fits your hand.

Here,s a little tip,,As you start the reverse slant tip your wrist up as you rotate the bar,this helps to grab the bar with the thumb,.

Stan Paxton · Post by **Stan Paxton** » 10 Nov 2014 12:18 pm

Being new to Dobro, I probably should have no opinion here.
However, found that the regular Stephens type bar just does not want to co-operate with my untrained hand in making reverse slants. ...Have ordered a new Shubb with more form-fit-to-the-palm configuration. Hopefully that will help.

Michael Kienhofer · Post by **Michael Kienhofer** » 10 Nov 2014 12:35 pm

Stan you could use the "elbow in the rib method" for reverse slants on the ole Stevens type bars.

Adam Nero · Post by **Adam Nero** » 10 Nov 2014 5:40 pm

Stan Paxton wrote:Being new to Dobro, I probably should have no opinion here.
However, found that the regular Stephens type bar just does not want to co-operate with my untrained hand in making reverse slants. ...Have ordered a new Shubb with more form-fit-to-the-palm configuration. Hopefully that will help.

Ah good I knew I couldnt be the only one! Hope that works out for you stan

Adam Nero · Post by **Adam Nero** » 10 Nov 2014 5:42 pm

Michael Kienhofer wrote:Adam I now use a EG Smith,but a Dunlop lap dog on occasion.

Like most "Dobroists" we have a big pile of these in our collection.
I takes trail and error to find the right bar that fits your hand.

Here,s a little tip,,As you start the reverse slant tip your wrist up as you rotate the bar,this helps to grab the bar with the thumb,.

Thanks for the input I think I know what you mean, will give it a shot

Paul DiMaggio · Post by **Paul DiMaggio** » 10 Nov 2014 7:39 pm

Good exercise Guy. The only Stevens type bar that worked for me for reverse slants is Shubbs GS1. The rest of them seem to want to fall over.

Guy Cundell · Post by **Guy Cundell** » 16 Nov 2014 5:43 pm

I am pleased that this post has been of interest. Not wanting to start a "bar wars" discussion, I would like to say, however, that personally I have abandoned Stevens bars in favour of bullet bars for acoustic. I only use Stevens bars for getting beginners going because, initially, it's a much easier to get going with that grip. I abandoned the Stevens bars after seeing the videos of Jerry Byrd playing with Marty Robbins on Youtube. I mean no disrespect to the Stevens adherents. (I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my copy of Three Bells.)

In the style that I am trying to develop, open strings, so dominant in Bluegrass, are mostly avoided for two reasons. One is that barred strings are under control of the left hand in all aspects. This gives the player the ability to control articulation of each note of each phrase. Also, I don't feel compelled to generate the blinding speed that can be gained on the Stevens with pull offs, or should I say "pop offs" which is what I would call the explosive notes achieved when you use the end of the Stevens. I am currently playing with some gypsy jazz guys with (mercifully) no banjos so I don't have to struggle for volume. Secondly, I am trying to develop speed through strengthening my right hand, in the manner of the second generation of Hawaiians, Sol, Bennie, Sam etc. and so the pull offs, while occasionally used, are mostly redundant.

There are certainly advantages of the Stevens that I am missing, but not so much.