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Post by marcobellani on Nov 13, 2010 9:47:36 GMT
Hello I have received the "MM Introduction to Lap Steel Guitar". I really love it. The music is wonderfull and the method is very easy to understand (very good camera). My favourite tracks are the blues ones. Do you think that it is easier to play slide with the Lap method than the normal one? Can I play in the Lap mode my MM blues guitar without changing the normal slide set up? Obviously I bought also the MM Introduction to Slide Guitar and I am trying to study it. Unfortunately they will require me a lot of years because I am relly a beginner (from Venice Italy). Could I buy a booklet with tablature for the 2 MM DVDs? It could help me. If there are not I will try to make one.
Thank you for your very kind cooperation and your precious DVD lessons
All the best
Marco
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Post by Michael Messer on Nov 13, 2010 10:21:18 GMT
Hello Marco, Thank you for your message. Your kind words are very much appreciated. Which is easier, lap steel or bottleneck in regular position? I don't think one is easier than the other, they are different. Each style has its advantages and disadvantages. I have always played both styles, it seemed the natural thing to do for me. You can play lap steel on your MM BLUES without changing the setup. For many years before I had raised-action guitars, I played lap steel on normal round neck guitars like your MM BLUES. I think it helped me to get the light touch that I have. However, eventually, a raised action guitar will make the style easier to play. There are no tablature books with my tuition DVDs. I do not believe it is necessary to have tablature with my DVDs because everything is very clear and easy to see. I did not learn from tablature and I think it helped me to develop my own style, as with too much tablature the student does not need to think for themselves. I like to create a situation where the student can learn the basics and then develop their own style. I think tablature can be quite limiting for the student. However, if you do decide to write some tablature for the DVD, I would be interested to see it. Thanks Marco. Keep in touch. Shine On Michael
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Post by marcobellani on Nov 13, 2010 14:38:15 GMT
Thank you very much for your super fast answer I have understand your teaching method to improve the student fantasy and attitude. All the best Marco
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Post by marcobellani on Nov 14, 2010 9:09:47 GMT
Hello
could you tell me where I can buy (internet web site) the same slider that Mr Michael Messer use in the Lap Steel Tuition Dvd? I would buy the black one and also steel one. I need the code number or description so I do not make confusion ;-) .
Thank you again for your help
Marco
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Post by Michael Messer on Nov 15, 2010 11:07:06 GMT
Hi Marco, The slide I use is called a TRIBO-TONE and is hand made in Texas by Eric Ebner. Website > www.tribotone.comMine is the heaviest that Eric makes. I think it is a 6 ounce weight. I also think that the black has the best tone. I am not sure that Eric agrees with me on this issue, but of all the Tribo-Tones I have tried, the black ones sound and feel the best to my ears. They are wonderful 'steels' slides. Highly recommended. Getting a really good steel Hawaiian 'steel' is not as easy as that. Contact Ron at Wunjo's Guitars in London and ask if he has any KING SLIDES, if not then the best option is a BROZOPHONIC available from Elderly in the US. I hope that helps. Keep in touch and let me know how you get on. Ciao, Shine On, Michael
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Post by marcobellani on Nov 16, 2010 0:04:15 GMT
Hi Mr Messer at the moment I am plaing bottlenek with steel Dunlop slide (cod 220), real wine bottlenek and Diamond Bottlenek (from Busker). If I undestand in a right way you suggest me to buy a King steel slide www.wunjoguitars.com/index.php?sid=9&mid=136but from the Wunjo's Guitars photo also the King slide are made by Dunlop (please read over the wood box). Isn't it? Can you suggest me a special King slide model or are all very similar. Do you prefer the end of the slide close or open? About the Tribo -Tone www.tribotone.com/slides.htmlAre you talking about the model B (5 oz, 3-4 diameter)? The heavier are for different guitars (sitar, 10, 12 string etc). I bought also a Jetslide but for me it does not sound good. It is only a good idea to have the left hand free. Thank you again for your precious support All the best Marco
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Post by growler on Nov 16, 2010 8:58:08 GMT
Hi Michael Your DVD arrived yesterday, I watched half off it last night and I must say I am very impressed with it . I love the content of it, leaning more towards the basics of lap steel, that is holding the bar, dampening ,playing slants etc.as opposed to a DVD that teaches you a few ' Tunes ' to play along with. Although I have been playing the weissenborn for just under a year now, your DVD will help me tremendously in getting back to the basics and getting it right . I was very impressed with the forward and backward slants you were demonstrating, this is new to me. On the subject of lap steel bars ....... you name it , I have got it , I've bought and tried them all, they all have their own little pros and cons. The two I always go back to are the Shubb SP2 and the Tribo-Tone ( black ), Seeing you using your Tribo-tone on the DVD and singing its praises , I think I will persevere with this one and use the rest as paper weights. If I was to make one criticism of this bar though it would be it is damn hard to hold when it gets a bit greasy with extensive use. Anyway Michael great DVD , glad I bought it and will look forward to watching the second part of it tonight, then getting down to some work.
Regards
Growler
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Post by Michael Messer on Nov 16, 2010 9:32:21 GMT
Hi Growler,
Thank you for your message. I am pleased that you like the DVD and feel that you can learn from it. The 'learning some tunes to play along with' that you mentioned, are okay, but I don't think they really teach the student how to play the instrument. If the student learns the basics properly, they should then be able to learn to play any tune they want. I believe that the 'learning a few tunes' method is like painting by numbers, and although it is useful to learn some tunes, it does not actually teach the student how to play, which is what I have set out to do with both of my tuition DVDs.
The Tribo-Tone bar should be easier to hold with sweaty or greasy hands than a steel bar. Neither are easy, it just takes time to get used to them. You could try some talcum powder on your left hand to help you grip, other than that you will get used to holding them.
Let me know how you get on,
Shine On Michael.
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Post by Michael Messer on Nov 16, 2010 9:53:22 GMT
Hello Marco,
The Tribo-Tone I use is the 'B' model (3/4 diameter 5 ounce black). If you are concerned that it may be too heavy for you, get the 'M' model which is a little lighter.
(About the King Slides; I think you misunderstood what I said. I wish I could speak good Italian. I have been playing concerts in Italy for nearly 25 years and I do understand a little of the language, but not enough to have a conversation).
The King Slides are not made by Dunlop, they were designed by me in 2001 for a shop in London called LRC that no longer exists. Wunjo's are using a Dunlop display stand for the photo, which I agree is very misleading. The Dunlop company has nothing to do with the King Slides at all.
The King Slide that I was recommending to you, is the solid steel Hawaiian 'steel' bar with a bullet end. They are no longer made, but if you call on the phone and speak to the manager, Ron, he may still have some of these slides.
If you cannot get a King Slide Hawaiian 'steel' bar from Wunjo's, then the next best option is the Brozophonic Hawaiian 'steel' bar, available from Elderly Music in the US.
Marco, I hope that is clear and easy to understand. You are doing very well talking on this forum in English.
Best wishes, Ciao,
Shine On Michael.
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Post by Michael Messer on Nov 16, 2010 11:38:06 GMT
Marco and anyone else looking for a steel Hawaiian bullet bar,
The King Slides that I have been talking about in this thread are no longer available. They are all sold and sadly because the guy that made them died a couple of years ago, they will not be manufactured again.
I guess they will turn up on eBay occasionally, but that's about it.
Shine On, Michael.
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Post by Steverb on Nov 16, 2010 22:59:08 GMT
If anyone has got a King Slide that they no longer use and want to sell, please PM me.
Steve
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Post by marcobellani on Nov 17, 2010 1:23:15 GMT
Hello Mr Messer
thank you again for your answer
Yes, You are right. About the King Slide I did not understand that you are speaking about a steel bar for Lap steel. I hope you will be able to produce again your slide, King Slide. Meanwhile I will try to buy one in ebay.
I buy a black Tribotone model B and 2 thump pick. I will let you know my impression when it arrive.
Thank you again All the best
Marco
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Post by marcobellani on Jan 9, 2011 0:54:28 GMT
Hello Mr Messer
I have received the Tribo-tone mod.B one week ago. It is very vice, very good and clean tone. No noise with strings and frets, but unfortunately I am not able to use it. It is too heavy for me (140 gr), probably mod.M (92 gr) would be better for me. The tribo-tone slides away from my hand continuosly. I watch your DVD a lot of times but however I am not able to solve the problem. I do not undestand exactly when you explane that we must not grab the tribo-tone and that tribo-tone can slide away if we try to make it. I grab the tribo-tone in the way that you explane in the Dvd (index finger over tribo-tone) but I lift it because I do not want that the tribotone remain all the time over the guitar cord. Is it ok?
Ok probably I need only more practice.
What do you think about a slide like this?
I think it is light and more easy to use but I do not undestand about the sound.
I received also the tribo-tone thumb picks. They are my favourite, but unfortunately there are not the others figer picks. Now I am searching new finger picks (for index,,midlde and ring finger) with metal around the finger and plastic tip
Thank you again for your very kind cooperation
All the best
Marco
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Post by Michael Messer on Jan 9, 2011 11:08:17 GMT
Hi Marco,
You need more and more........and then even more....PRACTICE !!!!
I have been using bullet shaped Hawaiian steels for 30 years and I do believe it to be the purest and most manoeuvrable tool to play lap steel guitar.
The other 'steel' you mentioned in your question is perfectly good and is the main tool used by modern country Dobro players. For me and the style that I like to play I do not think it is as good as a bullet shaped 'steel'. It is not so smooth and easy to move around the fretboard, and angled chords are not as easy. I spent a couple of years using one, but preferred the bullet steel.
The only way to find out is to get one and try it. If you do decide to get one, the Scheerhorn is a very good one. The original name for these is a 'Stevens Steel'. Stevens was the name of the company that started making them.
Ciao,
Shine On Michael
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Post by marcobellani on Jan 9, 2011 12:56:08 GMT
Hello
thank you again for your fast answer and informations about the Stevens Steel. I make treasure of your experience and I will concentrate my study with the tribo-tone. I need more patience and pratice, I understand.
Do you relax your hand over the tribo-tone, or do you grab it all the time with middle finger and thumb? Probably I must try to grab it only when I want to play all the strings open (without the slide pressure).
Could you suggest me good finger picks similar to the tribotone thumb pick? I am looking for figerpicks with metal ring and plastic tip.
Thank you again for your precious help
All the best
Marco
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