The Steel Guitar Forum Store 

Post new topic Technique for getting High Pitch Chime Sound?
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Technique for getting High Pitch Chime Sound?
GaryHoetker

 

From:
Bakersfield, CA, USA
Post  Posted 29 Jan 2006 8:38 pm    
Reply with quote

I'm referring to the George Jones ballads of the 60's, featuring Sonny Curtis on steel and many of the Charlie Louvin ballads too.
View user's profile Send private message

Skip Edwards

 

From:
LA,CA
Post  Posted 29 Jan 2006 11:58 pm    
Reply with quote

I assume you're talking about harmonics.
There's a few different way to do harmonics. One way is to curl your pinky under your hand and use your pinky knuckle to "fret" the harmonic while you pick the string with your thumb. Another is to put your fourth finger on the strings' harmonic point and pick the note with your thumb. They sound somewhat different, I think mainly because on the first method you're picking the string on the left side of the harmonic point, and on the second way you're picking on the right side of the harmonic. Both ways take practice, but they're both worth it.

I should mention that these are ways to get single note harmonics. For intervals or triads try using the heel of your hand. This will also work for single notes, but they don't quite chime as well, since every time you go for another note you block the previous one.

There are other ways...maybe someone else will chime in with some more.

[This message was edited by Skip Edwards on 02 February 2006 at 08:27 AM.]

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

basilh


From:
United Kingdom
Post  Posted 30 Jan 2006 2:28 am    
Reply with quote

The second part of this page explains most of the common ways..



Basil

------------------
Quote:
Steel players do it without fretting






View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Dave Grafe


From:
Hudson River Valley NY
Post  Posted 30 Jan 2006 9:58 am    
Reply with quote

I'm a fan of the pinky knuckle method that Skip mentions - although it seems to be less popular than some other methods, it's what has always worked the best for me. The heel of the hand is the only way I know of to get multiple notes to chime but you had better spend some time practicing that one.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Drew Howard


From:
48854
Post  Posted 30 Jan 2006 10:55 am    
Reply with quote

Right ring finger knuckle and practice, practice, practice.

Drew

------------------

Drew Howard - website - Fessenden guitars, 70's Fender Twin, etc.


View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

John Sluszny

 

From:
Brussels, Belgium
Post  Posted 30 Jan 2006 12:04 pm    
Reply with quote

(Couldn't help it)I love that baby Teddy-Bear!
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

basilh


From:
United Kingdom
Post  Posted 30 Jan 2006 4:24 pm    
Reply with quote

He's the STAR of the series of articles I compile called "The BEAR Facts"
Isn't it strange that the terminology for artificial harmonics varies so much..?
Baz
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

David Wren


From:
Placerville, California, USA
Post  Posted 30 Jan 2006 5:42 pm    
Reply with quote

Dave, you can "strum" multiple strings with the tip of your right hand ring finger, hitting the inversion locations for the key your in... listen to some of the older Hank Thompson steel work.... since I usually have a 3rd finger pick on this finger, I gave this method up, and use mostly all palm stuff.... but it's a beautiful effect.


------------------
Dave Wren
'95Carter S12-E9/B6,7X7; Twin Session 500s; Hilton Pedal; Black Box
www.ameechapman.com


View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

basilh


From:
United Kingdom
Post  Posted 30 Jan 2006 6:21 pm    
Reply with quote

I'm glad you pointed that out David, I usually use three finger picks as well, but took one off for the pictures ESPECIALLY the one in example 2.. the method you describe..
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Don Barnhardt

 

From:
North Carolina, USA
Post  Posted 31 Jan 2006 9:45 am    
Reply with quote

I don't know if I'm unique, but I just discovered that you can get a harmonic roll effect using the pinky knuckle method. I'm still experimenting with it on my Dobro. I don't know any other method to do this. I know this is off the original subject but I thought it might be of interest to some of you.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Les Green


From:
Jefferson City, MO, R.I.P.
Post  Posted 31 Jan 2006 1:31 pm    
Reply with quote

Ring finger knuckle. I'm with Mr. Howard, although I do use the palm a lot on C6th.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail


All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  

Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction,
steel guitars & accessories

www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

Please review our Forum Rules and Policies

Steel Guitar Forum LLC
PO Box 237
Mount Horeb, WI 53572 USA


Click Here to Send a Donation

Email admin@steelguitarforum.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for
Band-in-a-Box

by Jim Baron
HTTP