The British Steelies Society

I seem to be getting to grips with the lap steel but it's a steep learning curve, and I've always found the best way to learn an instrument is to take a melody that you already know and try to build some technique on it. Well, that's what works for me, anyway.

The first tune that I've got into my fingers is Sleepwalk by The Shadows. I've a looong way to go with this but I'm already looking for the next song, so if anyone can point me towards a c6 tab of Midnight or Cavatina, by The Shadows, it would help greatly.

Thanks again for all your pointers, tips and advice so far, it's really helped me along.

Cheers

Jim

Hi Jim - you may already know: the Shadows nicked "Sleep Walk" off Santo and Johnny where it was, and is, a steel guitar classic . Try a search for them and the tune for a listen.

Thanks Tony.

Jim - a couple of questions. Firstly how many strings on your lap steel and do you already play these songs on electric guitar?

Oh yes - and are you in to bar slants yet?

Hello Mick

I've a 6 string and I haven't played the songs on guitar so far, but you've put the idea into my head so I might see if I can find and adapt them. I've tried a few bar slant and some have gone better than others. I'll just have to persevere.

That brings me to another question, which bar to use? I have the round bar but I find it a bit awkward to control and I have one with a finger groove on top which I find easier. What do most people use?

The problem that I have with the lap steel is that I don't know anyone round this neck of the woods who plays it so there's no one to look over my shoulder and say "Hey, perhaps if you did that this way it might be better."

Hi Jim. Yes you are like me. When I started lap steel I found the one with the groove easier. However please persevere with the round bar as it is going to be easier to get slants later on.

Having played all those Shadows tunes for years on standard guitar I think the easiest song would be Wonderful Land and here is why. There are lots of the major chords e.g. G (frets 7 and 19), F (frets 5 and 17), C - fret 12, D - fret 2 and minors are Em - fret 7 and Am - open strings or fret 12. I will try and tab it out for you but in the meantime try this :-

Play strings 2,3 and 5 together at the 19th fret - then the same strings at the 17th fret then back to 19 again but play strings 4, 5 and 6. Can you hear in there somewhere the intro. You will of course do this twice. You have just played chords G F G F in that order which are the opening chords. Now see if you can find the opening notes in that area. You will have to drop to fret 16 for one note. See. Easy (He says).

OK now go to fret 7 and play strings 2,3 and 5 together. Thats your G chord again. Now fret 2 playing strings 1,2 and 4 together. Thats the D chords. Now strings 1,2,4 fret 5 then (F chord) and 2,4,5 at fret 12 (C chord) There you go. First 4 bars of the verse. Can you hear the melody trying to get out?

Gotta go. Wife calling for her cuppa so better obey. Get the chords together and see what you can find. I will be back but not straight away. Once you start to hear whats going on you will find it easier.

Go to youTube and tap in Mick Hearn Wonderful Land. You will find my version on pedal steel.

Thanks for that Mick

I'm just off out for a rehearsal with the uke group for a Carol performance that we're putting on, but I have your comments as a txt document so that I can sit down with a cup (or glass) of something and go through it in detail when I get back.

Thanks again