MORE Left/Right Hand controversy

[Ray Montee (RIP)]

For those steel players still loyal to the belief that development of right hand technique is MORE IMPORTANT than the left might want to give a listen to Jerry Byrd's exceptional LEFT HAND TECHNIQUE on the current "sounds from the past" on Jerry's Music Page at the jerrybyrdfanclub.com site.
It's a beautiful arrangement with Ethel Okada doing the wonderful vocal. Jerry Byrd's bar technique really makes the song.
What say you?

[Jennings Ward]

RAY, I HAVE BEEN LISTNING TO JERRY FOR MORE YEARS THAN MOST STEEL PLAYERS HAVE KNOWN THERE WAS SUCH THING AS A STEEL GUITAR....NOW LETS BE HONEST AND LOOK AT THE WHOLE PICTURE.... EACH HAND, RIGHT AND LEFT," MUST COMPLIMENT EACH OUTHER." THERE IS NO OUTHER WAY TO PLAY AND DO IT CORRECT....EACH HAND IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT, AND THIS ARGUEMENT ABOUT ONE HAND DOING A MAJORITY OF THE PLAYING IS PURE RUBBISH...YOU MUST DEVELOPE BOTH HAND IF YOU WANT A GOOD TONE , SOUND, PHRAZING, SPEED, INTONATION? WHAT EVER IT IS. TO DO A SLUR CORRECTLY , BOTH HANDS MUST BE IN CONCERT...IF BOTH HANDS ARE IN CONCERT, AND IN CONCERT WIRH THE MUSIC, THAT IS THE OBJECT OF IT ALL.....I'LL GET OFF MY SOAP BOX FOR NOW, AND I DONT BELIEVE I HAVE SPOKEN ANY UNTRUITHS... AND IF YOU WANT TO BE A SLICK PLAYER, JUST EAT MORE POSSUM....JENNINGS

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[John Bechtel]

Raymond;
Unfortunately, with WebTv; I have no way of listening. I certainly wish I could. However, I tend to think the left~hand has a bit more influence on the overall outcome than the right~hand, although; I’m also convinced they are both very important factors!

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“Big John” Bechtel
’49-’50 Fender T–8 Custom
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[jim milewski]

ya, when I was young I would ride my bike and say, "look ma, no hands", no I'm older and play steel and say, "look ma, both hands"

[c c johnson]

I've heard Jerry say several times, "learn the left hand first. That is where the music is". I bet Alan, Greg, and Casey can testify to this.

[Ray Montee (RIP)]

C.C. Johnson.......some folks here on the Forum must be asking "Why would Jerry Byrd say such a thing?"
Obiously, both hands are essential. No question about it HOWEVER, as you mention here, the left hand DOES CARRY THE "message".
The heart feels it; the mind transforms it and transmits it to both hands for execution and then it either happens or fails to happen. Jerry has done any number of solo parts where he has played but a single string and yet the "message" or "sound" he was capable of delivering could put a skip in the listeners heart; a tear in the eye and a never-end longing to hear it one more time.

[Dave Mudgett]

The clip is great, and clearly makes your point about the importance of bar technique. I think of it like this. In a bar of music, I'd rather hear one note, played with good pitch, tone, and feel, than 10 notes played with not-so-great pitch, tone and feel, regardless of flashiness. Which hand controls most of the pitch, tone, and feel? I think the left hand. Remember, I'm talking about learning to play one note or chord well.

Of course, both hands are obviously vital, I don't hear you saying people shouldn't also work on right-hand technique also. But I think there is not enough emphasis in early teaching methods I've seen on left-hand technique. It tends to veer heavily to right-hand picking and blocking. Is that your concern, Ray? If so, I agree. People seem to want to learn to get as flashy as possible as soon as possible. That's not really what drew me to the instrument.</p>

Honestly, though, I'm not sure I know exactly what to say to a beginner (I'm not that far past that point) except to listen for pitch and tone and apply feedback correction in bar placement and pressure. This is something that only starts to come with a lot of playing hours and very careful listening, at least for me.</p>

[Ray Montee (RIP)]

DAVE.........THAT IS my concern. I simply believe too many newer pickers have gotten off looking somewhat in "the wrong place" for "something" they might never find without a change in their point of view. Just an observation and comment about what I've seen a great deal of. Thanx for the comments.

[Al Marcus]

Ray-You have a good point that you are trying to say about the Bar hand.

Of course, we all know that both hands are important.

I surmise you are hinting that the younger newer players are putting too much emphasis on fast picking with the right hand.

That's ok, but after 70 years of playing steel, I can say that without good bar technique, a player loses all the good features that the steel guitar was born to play.

I have seen some pretty good steel playing with a guy's right arm in a sling and just using the thumb.

Just think about this. What Steel guitar solos was the 2 Biggest hits to crossover to the public. "Sleepwalk "by Johnny and Santo and "Forever" by Pete Drake.

I didn't hear any hot picking in either one....al

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[David Mason]

I think that you start losing some expressiveness and musical personality when the weight of the bar goes over about 6 or 7 ounces. Jerry Byrd, Speedy West, Joaquin Murphey, all had very distinctive and personal styles - they all used little bars too. I doubt if many non-steel players could tell the difference between any two modern steel guitarists who were using 10 ounce logs and playing the same licks in the same tunings.