Comments for Lap Steelin'

Comment on Strategies for Beginning Improvisation, Part 3 by Preston Briggs

Preston Briggs — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:43:46 +0000

This is all very interesting (as a way to play, but also as an way to listen).
Thanks a lot,
Preston

Comment on Strategies For Beginning Improvisation, Part 2 by Morgan Scoggins

Morgan Scoggins — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:03:42 +0000

Great stuff Mike!!

Comment on Thelonious Monk’s “Pannonica” arranged for C6/A7 lap steel by Thelonious Monk’s “Pannonica” arranged for C6/A7 lap steel | Lap Steelin' | musical instrument | Scoop.it

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:12:01 +0000

[...] http://www.mikeneer.com – Today, 7:11 AM [...]

Comment on Ask Mike by Mike Neer

Mike Neer — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:45:36 +0000

I use Tabledit. Can’t beat it for the price. I even used it for my book.

Comment on Ask Mike by Állan Wesley

Állan Wesley — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:50:47 +0000

What software did you use to do 8-string tabs? I have Guitar-Pro and Finale but they can’t do up to 7-strings.

Comment on Ask Mike by Mike Neer

Mike Neer — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:43:28 +0000

Ron, the trick with these 4 string slants is that they yield dominant chords, so there is already a bit of dissonance built into them. I can manage to fudge them so that they sound almost in tune, but they resolve shortly thereafter anyway. By the time this all happens, I’m sitting on a pretty major or minor chord. Make sense to you? This may go against logic of the steel guitar, but using my broader musical experiences gives me ideas on how to be as resourceful as necessary to make the sounds I need to make.

If you can only make one of the lower notes, go for the lowest one.

One of the other questions I get asked a lot is, “How do you play 4 note chords with 3 fingers?” It’s very easy–usually those 4 notes are grouped together (not always, as I have some other weird 4 note voicings that I play, too) and I use a squeezing motion with my 3 fingers which also enables the 3rd string to sound. You don’t have to be so precise in the picking, but you have to have enough force to make the 4th voice sound. It’s either done by pushing the thumb through the string to strike the adjacent string or by using enough force with the 1st and 2nd fingers to strike a 3rd string.

Comment on Thelonious Monk’s “Pannonica” arranged for C6/A7 lap steel by Thelonious Monk’s “Pannonica” arranged for C6/A7 lap steel | Lap Steelin' | Slide guitars | Scoop.it

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:02:27 +0000

[...] http://www.mikeneer.com – Today, 10:02 AM [...]

Comment on Ask Mike by Ron Ellison

Ron Ellison — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:00:46 +0000

Mike, I got a question about Nightingale….
How are you doing those 4 string slants? the 7766, and such. I’m getting one of the lower with the 2 highs, but can’t see how you’d do 2 strings on one fret, 2 on the next higher. It does sound good with only 1 lower, just curious…..

Comment on One more video of the great Tom Morrell (and it’s a good one!) by Danny Letz

Danny Letz — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:35:13 +0000

Where in the world did you come in contact with Kyle Arron? He used to play in the band I was in because of a good friend from Stamford, Tx was in the band. Kyle was just a mere child back them. The kid can play almost anything.

Comment on Repost: A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square arrangement by Sheet Music: Arrangement for Lap Steel of "A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square" | Slide guitars | Scoop.it

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:22:53 +0000

[...] [...]

Comment on Anatomy of a chord solo, part 1 by Repost: A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square arrangement | Lap Steelin'

Repost: A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square arrangement | Lap Steelin' — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:46:36 +0000

[...] in the space between the tab and the notation. Compare this to the original lead sheet posted in Part 1. All of the chords bascially fit into one of the categories mentioned in Part 2. I used tritone [...]

Comment on Ask Mike by Tom

Tom — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:59:00 +0000

Good morning Mike…thank you for the info. I have looked at both the Ernie Ball and the Goodrich. Have been leaning toward the Goodrich…your input has helped me decide to move in the direction Goodrich. Have a great weekend! Tom

Comment on Ask Mike by Mike Neer

Mike Neer — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:32:07 +0000

Tom, when I played guitar only I used an Ernie Ball volume pedal which I thought was pretty good. After playing steel for a few years, I decided to see what all the fuss was about with the Goodrich 120 volume pedal. I really liked it a lot, but it wasn’t 3 months before the potentiometer crapped out on me. I then dug out my trusty old Ernie Ball and did a bunch of gigs with it; however, I didn’t like it as much as the Goodrich when it was working well, so I bought a replacement pot from Tom Bradshaw and, with a little bit of effort, installed and now have a great volume pedal. The Goodrich ran about $130, if I recall correctly. I’ve read that they are using new potentiometers, but I don’t know for certain. The replacement pot cost me an additional $30.
Good luck in your journey and I’ll always be here if you need me.
Mike

Comment on Ask Mike by Tom

Tom — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:26:11 +0000

Good day…I am a newbie to the art of lap steel. Am awaiting my instrument’s arrival (mid ’40s Supro). I have a wonderful Traynor tube amp (modified YCV40T) I am looking forward to this journey. In my current & previous life as an electric guitarist I never used a volume pedal. I have researched VPs on the web until I have double vision. So many types, so many opinions. I bring my question to the master…what is a best buy volume pedal for use with lap steel (I will probably use delay and flange as well). You insight is greatly appreciated. Best…Tom

Comment on Conversation with Frankie Kay: Kansas City Steel Man by Claudia Elkins

Claudia Elkins — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 03:22:49 +0000

Are there records or CDs out there that feature Frankie’s playing? Or does Frankie still perform in the area?

I took a hand full of guitar lessons from Frankie at his place on 78th and Leavenworth Road back in 1974. I remember the wonderful stories Frankie would tell…I can’t recall the specifics but they just made me want to listen to all kinds of music, travel and explore more of my world outside of KCK.

My older brother, Tom Johnson, took a hand full of lessons from Frankie before I did. He stuck with it and is really quite good. He played for his on personal enjoyment over the years and is playing in his church band now.

Frankie’s name came up recently at my brother’s house and of course he Googled Frankie’s name on his cell phone and pulled up this article. It’s good to know Frankie is still goin strong. Reading this brought back fond memories of those days.

Thanks Frankie for encouraging me to broaden my taste in music!
Claudia (Johnson) Elkins
Washington HS Class of 74

Comment on “Buddy’s Boogie” live with the Saddle Tones by Brad Bechtel

Brad Bechtel — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:31:29 +0000

That sure looks like a lot of fun, Mike. Regardless of how you feel about the recording, I think you did just fine!

Comment on Block Chord Melody: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas by Trevor

Trevor — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:32:29 +0000

Mr. Neer,
I’ve been on your website quite a bit and I have now learned “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”. Thank you so much for posting these bits of your time and mind. Happy New Year

Comment on Conversation with Henry Bogdan, Part 2 by MKD

MKD — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:35:25 +0000

Thanks for this- I just found this interview. I saw him play w/ the moonlighters a bunch of times in NYC & was always blown away by his amazing playing and deadpan, matter of fact style.

Comment on Tom Morrell and the Time Warp Tophands play “Stompin’ At The Savoy” by Paul DiMaggio

Paul DiMaggio — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:29:49 +0000

Thanks for posting these clips, Mike. Mr Morrell was one smooth player. He makes it look effortless! About the 3rd time I watched them I noticed the guitar that the guy on Tom’s right was playing. The last time I saw an Epiphone Granada was in 1968 as it was leaving my apartment with it’s new owner. Mine was blonde with the single coil pup, a very playable neck,sweet jazz tone and the ugliest white plastic pick guard ever made by mankind. I still regret selling it.

Comment on Ask Mike by Mike Neer

Mike Neer — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 05:03:54 +0000

Russell, thanks for writing. You’ve come to the right place! The stand I have was built by Mark Roeder–he builds beautiful custom stands worthy of your Bigsby. Here is his web site: http://www.deluxe34.com/custom-stands.html
Tell him I sent you.

Good luck,
Mike