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Post by Michael Messer on Apr 22, 2010 11:23:39 GMT
Hi everyone,
Well we finally did it! I spent the weekend in Gloucester filming 'Lap Steel Guitar for Beginners'. It is not edited yet, but I hope to have it ready in a couple of weeks. It will be available from Euro Blues and various outlets.
Shine On
Michael.
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Post by melp on Apr 22, 2010 12:47:02 GMT
Hi Michael,
Great news, and great timing, for me. Just started to get into lap style in the last few weeks.
Its proving to be a interesting and inspiring experience. What has hit me so far is that lap playing removes many of the fill in "crutches" that I seem to have developed in round neck playing.
Meaning, with the absence of a clear idea, just his a chord partial to fill in.
In lap style just don't have that, so time to develop more clear ideas!
What hit me was that I did not realise I had them until they were no longer available, I started lap trying to play what I play on round neck/bottleneck, to see what needed adapting.
So the good news is that lap playing has not only given me a whole new style to play with, but its sort of improved, or at least made me think more about, round neck bottleneck choices.
The other thing is somehow sliding notes just get much more flexible, than I get with a bottleneck, especially varying the speed within a slid note - like fast, to slow, to vibrato.
Anyway, my MM Blues currently has a nut raiser fitted, sounds great as usual, and Ian has just provided a really great diamond tonebar, tried with a dunlop steel one (125gm) but it was too short and too heavy for me, with the diamond longer thicker and 80gm its much better, so I am all set for your DVD.
Cannot wait!
Cheers
Mel
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Post by Gerry C on Apr 22, 2010 14:15:30 GMT
Michael, will this be for electric lap steel or acoustic? Or both? What educational jargon - O hideous! - calls 'transferable skills'? I ask because I've been saving my gig money to acquire some kind of lap instrument. (Mates' suggestions of 'a dancer' have been firmly dealt with...)
Cheerily,
Gerry C
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Post by Michael Messer on Apr 22, 2010 14:29:47 GMT
Hi Gerry, I haven't written the sales blurb yet, so this is just off the cuff...
It is the lap steel equivalent to Bert Weedon's classic book & film 'Play In A Day' (which I believe is one of the greatest tuition aids on the planet, a masterpiece). In other words it is lesson one in how to play lap steel guitar. The lesson is taught on an acoustic, but it is aimed at anyone with either acoustic or electric guitars. The musical style is not partisan to any particular camp. The lesson explains the basics of playing a lap steel guitar, and it shows you the basics of playing in the three most popular lap steel styles; country, blues and Hawaiian. This is lesson one and fills a gap in the market that I have not seen covered properly.
I hope that answers some of your questions. Actually this is helpful to me as I still have to write a proper press release & promotional blurb sheet.
Shine On
Michael
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Post by Michael Messer on Apr 22, 2010 14:33:12 GMT
....in addition....all filmed in glorious wide screen Technicolor....or as Thunderbirds credits would read....'Panavision!' It is a very well filmed lesson, excellent camera angles and very easy to understand..... I HOPE!!!
Shine On
Michael
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Post by steadyrollinman on Apr 22, 2010 16:04:57 GMT
Is this an indication that a lap style MM guitar could be on the way? There were rumors earlier this year that a new model was about to be launched, is that still happening Michael?
Regards,
Chris.
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Post by bod on Apr 22, 2010 16:22:44 GMT
The lesson explains the basics of playing a lap steel guitar, and it shows you the basics of playing in the three most popular lap steel styles; country, blues and Hawaiian. This is lesson one and fills a gap in the market that I have not seen covered properly. Sounds really useful. I'm certainly not aware of anything else that offers this kind of intro - and its not for the want of looking, either. I've made use of a handful of different videos and read some stuff too in the course of my bid to locate, extract and internalise some of the basics across just the different characteristic "dobro" styles - worthwhile and all very interesting, but it'll be great to have this kind of thing available in a well-put together dvd lesson specifically designed for the purpose. For those of us who can hardly wait - is there anywhere taking advance orders? |
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Post by Michael Messer on Apr 22, 2010 19:16:11 GMT
Hi Bod, you can order it from Euro Blues - www.euroblues.co.uk - as it is not yet released you should email Euro Blues (care of Michael Roach) to place an order. Hi Chris, there are three new MM models in the pipeline. It has annoyingly taken much longer than we estimated. I cannot tell you what they are, but I can tell you they will not be square-neck guitars. Eventually we will be offering something in the square-neck world as an MM guitar, but not for a while. I will update this thread & my website with details of the lap steel DVD as I get news of its release. I will also post some stills when I get a copy. Meanwhile it is still to be edited and packaged.....I'd better get a move on and stop listening to all those Beatles records!  Shine On Michael. |
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Post by Gerry C on Apr 24, 2010 8:34:42 GMT
Thanks, Michael - it sounds to be exactly what I need! My attempts at lap playing usually have the local dogs covering their ears.
As for instrument: ideally I'd like something on the lines of a Weissenborn but the real thing is way beyond budget. Do you know of any faithful copies/blatant rip-offs around £400?
Cheerily,
Gerry C
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Post by growler on Apr 24, 2010 11:37:50 GMT
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Post by growler on Apr 24, 2010 12:32:40 GMT
Hi Gerry This might be of interest ...... this guy playing a Tenayo I can just see you playing this with your backing track ....... Also this German guy has done some useful audio samples of various Weissenborns and dobros, the Tenayos are the last 2 www.dobro-wolfgang-reimer.de/Seite_9_1.htmI know these are knocked out in China, ........ Goldtones are now being made in India ? I had the shock of my life when my new Applemac turned up the other day , made in , you guessed it ......... China Regards Growler |
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Post by melp on Apr 24, 2010 14:24:53 GMT
Hi Gerry,
One thing I noticed is that the ranges of these Wiess copies, certainly the one I got, come in either all laminated, laminated with solid top or all solid. I got the all solid one, in for a penny etc..., if you want more details pm or email me.
regards
Mel
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Post by Michael Messer on Apr 24, 2010 14:51:24 GMT
If it were me I would not go for one of the cheaper copies, I would get a 40s or 50s Hawaiian acoustic with a square neck. I have seen some real beauties for very good prices.
This whole subject of Weissenborns and their descendants intrigues me. As far as I can see, the current interest in them comes from David Lindley & Ben Harper? It doesn't come from old Hawaiian 78 records because I don't know any of the well known 20s and 30s Hawaiian steel players that used Weissenborn or Kona guitars. Before Nationals were around they used Martin, Gibson, Washburn & Roy Smeck acoustic Hawaiian guitars with square necks. I am not saying I don't like them, they are lovely instruments, but I am not sure about why and how they have become fashionable?
Shine On
Michael
Shine On
Michael.
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Post by Gerry C on Apr 24, 2010 16:32:59 GMT
Thanks for all the info, guys. Better dust off the old thinking cap...
Cheerily,
Gerry C
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2010 17:36:29 GMT
This whole subject of Weissenborns and their descendants intrigues me. As far as I can see, the current interest in them comes from David Lindley & Ben Harper? It doesn't come from old Hawaiian 78 records because I don't know any of the well known 20s and 30s Hawaiian steel players that used Weissenborn or Kona guitars. Before Nationals were around they used Martin, Gibson, Washburn & Roy Smeck acoustic Hawaiian guitars with square necks. I am not saying I don't like them, they are lovely instruments, but I am not sure about why and how they have become fashionable? Shine On Michael Shine On Michael. I guess the aesthetics are important as well. They are beautiful instruments, and a little less shockingly outlandish looking than resonators I mean they are closer to the general public's idea of a guitar! In a way, the fact that they are not strongly associated with one style may help, no-one looks at them and thinks 'urgh corny'. As to why now, the internet must have a lot to answer for. All these more obscure instruments are now so much easier to find out about. After all, people can just come here and ask! (I will admit, btw, that it was the look of resos that first fascinated me) |
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