The British Steelies Society

Does anyone else get a strange tone at the 12th fret??? I find that the notes there don't ring properly...am i doing something wrong??? Its difficult to explain the sound, but it sounds like i'm getting notes from behind the bar as well in front..

Anyone know what i'm blabbing on about???

Yeah, that makes total sense John...How do i stop this wierd sound then?? Should i have the fingers in the left hand press down harder on the strings??? Or move where my right hand is picking??

Hi Matt,

well it sounds like you may need to increase the damping pressure behind the bar.

You can, on rare occasions, exploit that position by lifting those same fingers and picking strings behind the bar. Gives a kind of harp-like, ethereal sound. Probably something you would only want to use once per gig or even once per career. I have heard Greg Leisz use it.

Chris

Nice one Chris...i do play behind the bar sometimes, not at the 12th fret though, gives a really dark horror movie effect

It's perfectly normal Matt. You'll get a similar but less audible effect at the 5th and 7th frets. Lloyd Green often uses this to great effect. Pay more attention to damping behind the bar if you don't want these harmonics to ring out.

Thanks Paul

Matt
(although I'm a relative beginner) try using your thumb to block the Bass strings. I found that helps.

If Paul Brennan says it, it's got to be correct. I would agree with whats already been said, keep your fingers behind the bar down on the strings unless you want that sound.

Got it..on it...improvements made...thanks boys