Slantless diminished and dominant chords, a new technique

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 28 May 2015 6:46 pm

I've always believed in exhausting all possibilities and looking for new ways to do things, and I thought some of you might be interested in something a little different.

While this will certainly not replace slanting or the need for mastery of that technique, it does offer good alternatives and even some really cool possibilities, most of which I will not show on this video. However, I think this short clip gives a very good look at the essence of it. I don't believe I have ever heard of anyone doing something like this before, so I will take full credit (or blame), thank you very much. It's something I've been fooling around for a little while.

Check it out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxeYZnU4hOA

Any ideas for a name for this technique? I think "pushing the strings" seems pretty obvious. Or how about "downward-facing dog"?

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 28 May 2015 6:56 pm

Interesting. I've never seen that technique. So are you pushing down strings 1 & 2, but not string 3? Are the pushed strings raised by the same intervals or different intervals (for each string)?

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 28 May 2015 7:01 pm

You can push down whichever strings you like, but it has to be with either end of the bar. In this case, I am pushing down 2 and 3. String 5 stays at original pitch.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 29 May 2015 1:47 am

Mike Neer wrote: Or how about "downward-facing dog"?

I like that. It's a discovery all right, waiting for someone to do it.
I guess nobody thought you could do it. I might even be able to.

The Neer technique could become famous.
It might be called the Neer Hit.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 29 May 2015 2:05 am

Very cool! I've only seen pushing the strings as either a vibrato technique or to push a slant on tune, never for chords. So you've found a new technique! If Jerry Byrd had P'Tah, do we call this M'Neeh?

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 29 May 2015 3:48 am

How about "dipping the bar"? Or "bar digging"? I like that one.

Like I've said, I have a few other uses for it, but I'm not letting them out of the bag...yet!

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 29 May 2015 4:50 am

Digging the bar. What you're not going to share your ideas, your home phone, and the secret to the universe?
It's harder than it looks, the secret to an invention, where no one else can do it.

I missed your tuning. Is that your A6 neck?

I'm also interested in the little amp behind you.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 29 May 2015 7:06 am

Charlie, that is a C13 neck. I don't really use A6 unless it is specifically needed.

The amp is an old 60s Sano 250R, with 7591 tubes and Altec speakers (a mod by me). It's an accordion amp, supposed to stereo.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 29 May 2015 8:21 am

Cool.

Steve Cunningham · Post by **Steve Cunningham** » 29 May 2015 11:04 am

Cool technique Mike...I'm surprised how accurate it is.

Don McGregor · Post by **Don McGregor** » 30 May 2015 3:21 am

I like the term "dousing", because this method of dipping for notes reminds me of my grandfather and great grandfather's method of divining with a dousing rod or willow fork where a new well should be placed.
I have to get to my steel to see, but can this technique be used to raise the minor third and fifth notes of a minor chord to make an augmented?
Now I have to go and see how easily this works for me.
Whatever you call it, it is out there in the world now, and we thank you.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 30 May 2015 5:38 am

Bar digging
Downward Dawg
Nose diving
Submarining

Steve Gwizdalski · Post by **Steve Gwizdalski** » 30 May 2015 5:58 am

The 'Neer push'

Stefan Robertson · Post by **Stefan Robertson** » 30 May 2015 11:20 pm

Fresh approach like it.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 31 May 2015 3:04 am

Don McGregor wrote:... can this technique be used to raise the minor third and fifth notes of a minor chord to make an augmented?

That was how I thought I was hearing it, or imagining it from the tuning.

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 31 May 2015 5:37 am

Mike, way cool technique! Maybe call it "The string stretching, manipulative diminished chord extender" then again? Very inventive.....

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 31 May 2015 7:00 am

Don McGregor wrote: I have to get to my steel to see, but can this technique be used to raise the minor third and fifth notes of a minor chord to make an augmented?

Don, since the interval between a min 3rd and perfect 5th of a chord is a maj 3rd, if you have adjacent strings with that interval, then it is possible. However, what lies on the strings below those strings is what matters; otherwise, you could just slide up.

It is difficult to use this technique on the 1st string. One has to play around with gauges, which affects the tone. In my opinion or for my purposes, it's not worth it. However, I have found some cool uses for the technique on all other strings.

This is cool technique for the more chordally minded players. Some of the voicings I can get with C6 remind me of some the chords I've heard Joaquin play with pedals. I do use it for single note playing, too, though, when sliding the bar would interrupt the smoothness of the line.

Ken Pippus · Post by **Ken Pippus** » 31 May 2015 3:12 pm

If I tried it, I'm pretty sure it would be a Neer miss.

Mark Roeder · Post by **Mark Roeder** » 2 Jun 2015 9:30 am

I like that you are adding it to your skill set rather than using it as an alternative to slanting. Creating a new dimension to your playing...cool...

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 2 Jun 2015 10:42 am

How about "lowering the bar"?

Rick Barnhart · Post by **Rick Barnhart** » 2 Jun 2015 11:13 am

Mike Neer wrote:How about "lowering the bar"?

Perfect ðŸ˜Š

Peter Harris · Post by **Peter Harris** » 3 Jun 2015 3:30 am

Neer Enough....

Dick Chapple Sr · Post by **Dick Chapple Sr** » 3 Jun 2015 2:59 pm

Neerly dipping? stringy dipping? string diving? Bar diving? Dip stretching? Bar press?

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 3 Jun 2015 3:45 pm

I like "bar press". That defines it pretty well.

Russ Wever · Post by **Russ Wever** » 3 Jun 2015 9:42 pm

It is a Bar Slant . . . a Downward Bar Slant.

~Rw

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Slantless diminished and dominant chords, a new technique

Slantless diminished and dominant chords, a new technique

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