Reso Hangout - Playing Forum Feed

I’m just learning of Justin Moses

eric@resohangout.com — Mon, 11 May 2026 18:31:47 CST

I heard Jaelee Roberts’ “Im Putting You Out Of My Misery” and had to look up the reso player. What a talent!

What is true “Open G” tuning?

eric@resohangout.com — Sat, 9 May 2026 12:00:27 CST

I see both DGDGBD & GBDGBD referred to as such. I realize they’re both 1-3-5 chord tones so maybe both are correct?

Appication for the Mike Auldridge Memorial Scholarship due by June 1

eric@resohangout.com — Thu, 7 May 2026 09:54:13 CST

If you are of a particular demographic with a college interest in resonator guitar. The IBMA Foundation offers a number of scholarships including the reso/steel/guitar related Mike Auldridge Memorial Scholarship.

Apply HERE!

Need help with fills, rhythm, etc.

eric@resohangout.com — Wed, 6 May 2026 10:57:48 CST

I’m new to reso as I just started in January. I’m currently learning some solos, playing the melody with single notes and chords. I’d like to start going to some bluegrass jams but don’t have a clue what to play while others are soloing, singing, and so forth. Is there a reso equivalent of the boom-chuck? Is there a good instructional out there for this sort of thing?

HELP finding website to buy these dobro slides

eric@resohangout.com — Fri, 1 May 2026 11:14:57 CST

I ran into a website weeks ago a small store that sells I believe a custom made slide and there’s versions that have notches in the top flute. These are said to be hard to find and so I was excited but lost the tab on the browser can’t find it again. These would be chrome plated slides with a kind of “wood carved” look on the top where these notches are along the top edges of the top flute (to help grip) does anyone know what store website these are sold from? I just spent 30 minutes searching and couldn’t find it.

Thanks !

Feedback for my slide blues playing?

eric@resohangout.com — Thu, 2 Apr 2026 17:36:25 CST

Hello! I've been playing the resonator for around 6 months now. Since I'm half a year in, I just wanted to get feedback on technique, tone, phrasing etc for my slide playing.

I've attached two of my short recordings, one is delta, and the other is on a shuffle. I greatly appreciate any feedback! Thank you so much.

Tube DI

eric@resohangout.com — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 04:18:45 CST

At a show last Saturday, my Venue DI ( at the end of my dobro chain) crapped out. The power jack broke; it's currently at Baggs for repair. My chain is: FiIshman JD/Nashville pickup - Fishman JD Aura pedal - Keeley Caverns reverb/delay - Baggs Venue DI (Mostly for preamp, boost, tuner/mute functions) - to PA.

In lieu of the busted Venue DI, the guitarist lent me his extra Demeter tube di (VTDB-DB). It made a noticeable improvement in sound of the dobro. Got me thinking that I might add a tube DI to my chain. The Demeter is pricey ($799 new), so I am eyeing a very reputable but less pricey alternative (Broughton ETDI). Anyone use a tube di with a resonator? Pros, cons? Ive dabbled with the art tube MP in the past, but found it added so many complications of different level controls, that I never got to the point where I could actually listen for how it was affecting my sound. The Demeter and Broughton are just signal in - signal out (with a ground lift button). No level or tone controls.

Thanks, Dan

Steve Cunningham?

eric@resohangout.com — Sun, 1 Mar 2026 13:12:26 CST

I’m probably “late to the party”, but this guy is very talented! youtu.be/m6wGL18a8zc?si=-BR6bXIuBG60cm6M

More thoughts on style for G TUNED square neck (prob way too long)

eric@resohangout.com — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 09:30:58 CST

This may turn into an essay as I have time on my hands:

What contributes to “style”?

In my mind, it has far less to do with the brand of guitar, picks, strings, capos, etc. than it does other factors.

Now before dumping on me, I do acknowledge that an instrument with your preferred “voice” can be highly motivational. I'm with you there. What I'm discussing is what makes Oz, Josh, Mike,Jerry & YOU sound like individuals and not clones of your heros.

As I see it, these are what I feel are the major contributors to playing style:

Attraction to the reso – You probably got into this because you were attracted to something. A sound. A tune, whatever.

Music influences – Bluegrass, Americana, other?? Most of you know that I was pretty close to Mike and got a chance to really pick his brain. Listened to him play those long, melodic single note phrases? Where did they come from? Mike professed a love of big band, swing saxophone melodies.

What about those chord subs? “Eight String Swing”? His love of western swing and “classic country” (did you know he played pedal steel and lap steel?) All of this contributed to his style.

Player influences – Here's where it gets complex and interesting as I think many of us are fixated on a particular period/player's style. When we say “Jerry Douglas” do we mean Jerry with the Gent's, the Whites, “Skip Hop & Wobble, Jerry Douglas Band, AKUS... Catch my drift? Play Jerry with the Gents vs. AKUS and you might not think they are the same player. All players' styles of your heros evolved over time.

NOW, THE NITTY GRITTY!

Your knowledge of the fret board and how it “works” in G tuning. - I am fascinated by players' approaches to the neck. What you they, you or I see when you make music? Scale points, Chord pockets? Slants?

If all you see are straight barred chords you're unlikely to be making the same music as a player who's identified additional opportunities on that neck.

Music theory applied to a G tuned reso – For sure the scariest part of this adventure. I rarely have been able to convince players that a little (tiny..tiny) bit of theory can go a long...long way in becoming musical and developing style.

You do NOT need to know how Bach developed symphonies or Charlie Parker made jazz (although that would make for interesting reso music)

Technique – No amount of fret board knowledge or theory will get you where you need to go unless you've developed the right and left hand techniques sufficient to get the music ideas in your head... to your ears..

You don't roll? You don't hammer-on/pull?

That's 2 missed opportunities in music/style development.

Rob, Sally Van Meter, Billy Cardine, Mike, Jerry, all of them have techniques that are unique to their own styles in addition to those techniques that are common to all G tuned, square neck playing.

With all of these greats... They ALL started with the basic techniques, developing new concepts over time.

As you and I should.

I'll leave you with to of my favorite quotes, told to me in person:

“I tried hard to play like Josh. I couldn't. I had to do something else” - Mike

“Mike Auldridge really didn't become “Mike Auldridge” until “Act 3” - Ben Eldridge

Sorry for the ramble. I confess these are some of my favorite reso based topics!

h

G tuned players, what is your roadblock?

eric@resohangout.com — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 06:17:44 CST

98% of my playing (bluegrass, swing, blues, rock, country) is done on G tuned squarenecks. Somehow I've managed to overcome, or find paths around, technical obstacles to make the music I want to make.

I chuckle every time I hear someone remark about limitations of G tuning. I think of all the greats and their music.

Like This Gypsy Jazz/Swing album by Billy Cardine. Inspired!!! Yes! G tuned!!

So, what challenges are you G tuned players running up against? Maybe you don't see relevant chordal or scale pockets on the neck? Maybe it's a right hand thing? What do you wish you know? What questions would you ask (or have demonstrated) if given the opportunity to just sit down and chat?

You never can tell who might have answers.

h

Need assistance around Zipcode 20871??

eric@resohangout.com — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 11:03:17 CST

If you are around Zipcode 20871 and need a little help?

What's your style?

eric@resohangout.com — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 08:54:44 CST

How do you self identify as a player? Lean into the "traditional/classic" style of your music or more "contemporary"?

Personally, as a G tuned player most of the work/music I make is contemporary bluegrass and Americana. Spending a lot of time with Mike Auldridge, his playing was the foundation of my own style. Always a dose of Josh, Jerry, Rob and any other player that happened to catch my ear.

Who are you??

h

Jerry Byrd on Dobro

eric@resohangout.com — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 13:44:44 CST

There are several wonderful videos of Jerry Byrd and Marty Robbins on You tube. Does anyone know what tuning Jerry is usuing?

Proper placement of finger picks

eric@resohangout.com — Fri, 6 Feb 2026 13:52:17 CST

I suppose like most things in this world, it’s “whatever feels good/works for you” but is there a starting place to suggest? The reason I ask is I was watching a Jerry Douglas DVD and he had his extended way further than I thought correct. At least it appeared that way on the video.

Tired of my dobro being a cross bow

eric@resohangout.com — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 06:09:45 CST

I shot another loose pick into the front row last night. I am using the split brass pro pik which I have settled on for the last 20 years. Is there anything new on the market, or old I have been overlooking, that stays on the fingers better or any tricks, I do lick my fingers (trick learned from playing the Japanese Koto) which helps a lot, but I am always pushing them back on during performances. I am hoping there is a newer offering that has solved this problem or has someone found a finger glue type solution. In searches I am not finding much but old suggestions for picks no longer available or out of stock everywhere...

Thanks guys

G tuning Electric

eric@resohangout.com — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 04:33:34 CST

I am looking for recommendations for strings to put a lap steel into dobro tuning. I haven't seen many options other than mixing sets.

Anyone Else Angle the Bar this Way? (Photo)

eric@resohangout.com — Fri, 2 Jan 2026 05:58:42 CST

Action shot (not posed). My “natural” bar position tends to angle off-vertical, toward the bridge. My eyes and ears make the adjustments for pitch and intonation. For some reason this feels more dynamic, and allows me to move into slant positions more easily. It’s totally subconscious at this stage.

Always considered this a quirky flaw. Then Mike Witcher told me he does the same thing. To paraphrase, he mentioned it gives him better clearance from a capo, and allows for better muting/damping for certain moves. I see him do it in his videos.

I CAN do it the other way (90-deg vertical) but it feels rigid, and within 20 seconds I’m back to the angled hold.

Anyone else?

Howard's "end of year" ramblings

eric@resohangout.com — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 09:18:24 CST

The thing about all instrument online forums is the focus on hardware (guitars, capos, strings, picks...you name it). It is somewhat understandable. It's the "lowest common denominator" and what we all have in common.

The thing about hardware (in my humble opinion) is that discussion about these items are really the LEAST IMPORTANT topics/information the player really needs on their journey of knowledge.

Now, I'm certainly open to differing views but , you know what really turns me on are discussions about:

How the neck "works" (particularly in in "standard" dobro G & D tunings)

How to extract tone.

Right and left hand technique

The role of the instrument in an ensemble environment.

The different approaches to the instrument by a variety of artists.

I call the above and similar topics "software". I'd rather be discussing software than hardware.

In my view, anyone with a reasonably set up guitar with a variety of reasonably priced accessories can learn to make excellent music on their instrument of choice. Discussions about the "best" of whatever simply will not make us a better player.I understand. It's way easier to plop down a credit card number for the "best" whatever then it is to figure out where the Bm pockets are in G tuning.

Spending your time and resources on instruction and learning is a much better deal!!

I'll repeat. My opinions are not Hangout specific. It's what I see on all instrument forums.

The other thing that I will gently caution. Not all advice is good or accurate. I'll typically pay lots more attention to "players" (not necessarily professionals) who can offer up audio or video examples (it's all too easy these days). You'll want to focus on those individuals with demonstrable first hand knowledge or experiences.

That's enough from me.

My 2025 ramble has come to an end. Time for me to wood shed on some music.

hp

Capos

eric@resohangout.com — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 12:42:02 CST

I recently purchased a Charlie's Slide Pro Capo, still deciding if it is better then the Shubb I've been using sense I began playing the dobro..anyone have remarks, comments, experience with trying different capos?

Thanks

New to dobro with a question

eric@resohangout.com — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 18:03:04 CST

Due to a hand injury, I want to make an attempt at dobro. Is there anything unique about the strap used to play horizontally?

New beginner course + 3 other lessons/month starting Jan 1 on my Patreon

eric@resohangout.com — Tue, 9 Dec 2025 11:24:52 CST

Hi all - forgive the self promo, but I thought some of you might be interested. I have a Patreon Dobro lessons site going with over 100 prerecorded lessons so far. In 2025 I taught 52 "Song of the Week" lessons, and I also have a bunch of other archived lessons on the site.

Starting in January 2026 I'm doing four lessons per month (all with some amount of Tab or charts depending on the subject):

1) Dobro from Zero - a course for beginners with a new lesson each month. This will be systematically taught, so each lesson will build on what's come before, and most players - even experienced ones - will get something out of the beginner's course since most Dobro pickers have holes in their learning.

2) Dobro Toolkit - a lesson on technique, fretboard concepts, and/or practice routines.

3) Steal this Lick - a cool Dobro lick (often with variations).

4) Tab of the Month Club - a full song arrangement, usually of a jam standard, taught on video with detailed Tab and backing tracks provided. I'll do this lesson last each month so I can try to incorporate ideas from a given month's first three lessons into the arrangement.

All subscriptions provide access to all of the above and more and start at the dirt cheap price of just $12 per month for now. For active subscribers, prices will never go up, but I'll probably increase prices on new subscriptions in mid-January, so this will be the last chance to lock in current pricing. For the time being I'm offering a one week free trial of the basic membership so folks can check out the site and see if a paid membership would be worthwhile. patreon.com/ivanrosenberg

Note: if you use Apple devices, please sign up using a regular web browser rather than the Patreon app from the App store to avoid Apple's inexplicable 30% surcharge on subscriptions made using the App.

Plug In Possibilities

eric@resohangout.com — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 12:19:46 CST

I've posted this elsewhere:

A snippet from last weekends gig with Shannon Leigh Reynolds and the Good Bygones (Check her out on Spotify):

It's a cell phone video which I think demonstrates the flexibility of a plug-in rig. In this case it's the Fishman Nashville/Douglas Aura combo with gentle reverb and single repeat delay added. In venues & material such as this I'll often choose to plug in to provide a level of ambiance that I can't get by micing the guitar. I do mic with more straight bluegrass gigs.

The venue provided sound. I just give them a balanced/XLR feed from a D.I. on my pedal board. A boost pedal is used to toggle between backup & solo levels.

Wayfaring Stranger

Are metal bodies more forgiving than wooden bodies to play?

eric@resohangout.com — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 21:09:14 CST

I'm about a month into learning slide, and I went to a store today to try out a wooden and metal body dobro.

The wooden body took a long time of adjusting my strength and slide to get a semi-decent tone and even then it's still very inconsistant.

However, the metal body got a good tone instantly and sounded clear and loud without even trying.

Fills? Use of of chord tones of chord, major scale or major pentatonic?

eric@resohangout.com — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 08:12:24 CST

I'm an advanced beginner dobro player and I jam with a local bluegrass jam. My music theory skills are pretty solid.

For bluegrass fills, do you generally recommend sticking to chord tones of the chord with passing notes from the major pentatonic OR major scale?

OR

Do you tend to use notes from the major scale or major pentatonic and then land on chord tones from the chord?

OR

Any other guidance here?

Do your strategies change when playing fills on Major key songs in folk or Americana or country music?

Thank you! Doug

Clinch Mountain Backstep

eric@resohangout.com — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 02:58:51 CST

Hello all! I'm returning to playing after being busy with life for many years, & I'm trying to recall how I did certain things. I had a book by Stacey Phillips where he taught "Clinch Mountain Backstep" in a "modal" tuning. At the time, I had tried several different lessons for this song, & I couldn't get it. However, I then found this version where "i think?" he tuned the B strings up 1 note to C??? But for some reason his version really "hit" me, & I was was able to learn it easily & it was quite liberating at the time. I remember going to a jam & people walking up to me afterwards saying that I had done a really good job on that. It was a really happy memory for me! Anyways, does anyone remember which book or instructional video that was from?!? OR... are there any experts out there, familiar with alternate tunings, who could send me a tab on that? I've been through all my books, & I can't find it, & it's absolutely driving me nuts that I never documented how I did it. Any ways, thank you all for listening. ---Jay

Best 6th tuning using Open G strings for Dobro???? 1 3 5 6 1 3 low to high

eric@resohangout.com — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 19:00:37 CST

I have a Gretsch Bobcat square neck 6 string reso tuned to GBDGBD with EJ42 Phosphor Bronze Dobro Strings - .016-.056 Medium.

I'm curious what 6th tuning works best with these string gauges using the same interval as 1 3 5 6 1 3 low to high like in C6 (CEGACE low to high)?

Thank you! Doug

Teacher in Charleston SC

eric@resohangout.com — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 06:36:15 CST

Hey All. I’m an old guitar player who took up dobro a couple of years ago. I don’t seem to be getting any better. Wonder if anyone can recommend a teacher in the Charleston South Carolina area. I like bluegrass, blues and swing. Thanks for any ideas. Jim

Dunlop bullet bar

eric@resohangout.com — Thu, 9 Oct 2025 07:07:52 CST

For many years I have been using a Bradley Capo. I remember Mr. Bradly saying it is “hardened stainless steel.” It is a wonderful capo and I’ve used it frequently over the years and it is still good—no significant scratches.
However, a friend of mine just gave me a Dunlop bullet bar. Not sure if that is the official name or not. But the thing is quite heavy, about the length of the neck of my Beard R Body. I have to say it has a surprisingly good sound. Seems to sound more full than the Bradly..maybe. The only issue is that I find it is hard to hold onto. Though with practice I am getting better. And doing one note runs requires a different technique to mute other strings.
But over all I am very pleased and getting a kick out of using it. Although it is old its. shiny and it excellent condition, My friend plays mainly guitar.
I haven’t had the chance to look on line lately to see what a bar like that would cost. Or…if there are bigger ones , if some have an easier way to hold them, etc.
I will never give up the Bradly capo, but I and my bandmates seem to enjoy the tone of this bar. So…just some thoughts on a pleasant surprise and learning something new.

2018 Appalachian

eric@resohangout.com — Tue, 9 Sep 2025 06:17:54 CST

A friend of mine has posted his 2018 Tom Warner Appalachian reso for sale on Marketplace.
Brazillian rosewood back & sides with Adirondack spruce top for $2,000.

6 or 8?

eric@resohangout.com — Wed, 3 Sep 2025 16:29:23 CST

I'm enjoying trying different tunings on my reso. A6 is my favourite at the moment. I'm considering purchasing an eight-string , hopefully to open up some added benefits. It's an expensive option, so opinions please.
Would adding two extra strings make a worthwhile difference, or is it only beneficial in a limited way depending on chosen tuning etc?

Spark Amp for Dobro OR getting dobro sound from guitar w/ NO resonator??

eric@resohangout.com — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 07:09:41 CST

I just got a spark amp from a friend. It is very cool and has thousands of modeled sounds you can tap into.

Curious if anyone has used there spark amp to get a better sound from their dobro than just a normal guitar amp?

Also, curious if any of the amp modeling could create a bit of a resonator sound off of a lap guitar without a resonator?

If so, please let me know which sound models you used? '

Thank you! Doug

G Tunings

eric@resohangout.com — Wed, 6 Aug 2025 15:07:35 CST

I noticed that Tony Furtado, a past winner of the Winnfield banjo championship, also plays slide guitar tuned DGDGBD, which caught my eye as being very close to banjo G tuning.

My question is why resos use GBDGBD instead of DGDGBD? It seems that it would provide a wider range of notes, as well as make it easier for banjo players to cross-over using DGDGBD.

Please, offer constructive advice.

Yours,

Patrick

SLANTS... 101...

eric@resohangout.com — Wed, 6 Aug 2025 08:34:26 CST

People ask me "how do you do slants with such perfection ?"
Lots of practice i say but there is more to it than just practice.
For example, doing 'forward' slants on the first five frets are more difficult than on the frets closer to the bridge. Also slants going from left to right are easier than the right to left ones.
Have any of you out there commented on this subject before ? What are your thoughts in this ? Does the bar size come into play at some point ? How about the type of pick you use ?

string sweep into a note

eric@resohangout.com — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 10:49:57 CST

Apologies for a topic that I'm sure is covered already but I don't know what this technique is called, making it hard to search . . .
It's that sound where a muted sweep of the strings leads to a nice clear note on the high string - I've been 'faking' it various ways but wonder what the best technique is - - and what it's called. Jerry does it all the time to great effect. Thanks!

Guernsey Resophonic Guitar

eric@resohangout.com — Thu, 15 May 2025 06:00:36 CST

I am looking to buy a Guernsey square neck guitar. If anyone has any leads on one I'd sure appreciate it... Thanks, Hank

Salt Creek (without a capo!) Video Lesson

eric@resohangout.com — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 12:59:55 CST

Hey folks! Put a new lesson up on patreon.com/mileszurawell today for this version of Salt Creek (without a capo!).

Bluegrass jam standard Salt Creek is usually played in A with a capo on the second fret, playing out of G position. But here we discard that pesky capo and see how it lays out in open A position. Turns out it works pretty well, and forces us to make some different choices. Learning a tune in this fashion can open up some new ideas for you and extend your knowledge of the fretboard, and the mixolydian mode. Ooo, fancy!

Reverse Slant (pivot method hack)

eric@resohangout.com — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 06:57:55 CST

Here's my cheat/hack for making reverse slants significantly easier. I use the thumb/index pivot method. (Could never angle my wrist enough to do it the other way w good intonation). It's a cutout of CatTongue grip tape.

It's brings into play fearless usage of reverse slants, even at faster tempos (within reason). For me.

Apply to nose and butt ends, as soon as you pivot, your index and thumb grab the tape, and voila.

It's a close up photo. You can hardly see it when playing when hand is on the bar, unless you're really looking for it.

It's not "sticky" but it increases friction, like golf grips or something similar.

Just sharing.

Jerry Douglas Modern Music Masters Course

eric@resohangout.com — Thu, 3 Apr 2025 17:23:42 CST

As a resonator newbie, I stumbled across The Modern Music Masters Jerry Douglas Resophonic Guitar course. The video overview looks very interesting and am thinking of going for it. Any thoughts on the material and presentation by those who've tried the course? I've been playing conventional electric/acoustic guitar for awhile already.

Jerry Douglas' Solos on Thunderclouds of Love Lesson

eric@resohangout.com — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 14:42:33 CST

Hey folks,

Put up a new lesson on patreon.com/mileszurawell today taking a look at Jerry Douglas' solos on Thunderclouds of Love. These come off the Tony Rice Plays and Sings Bluegrass record, which for my money features Jerry at maybe his bluegrass peak. There's lots of really interesting stuff to dissect here, including playing in B using "A positions" with the capo on the 2nd fret and listening closely to how Jerry enters and exits notes.

Ivan Rosenberg SF Bay Area Workshop Sunday Afternoon March 9

eric@resohangout.com — Wed, 5 Mar 2025 19:01:40 CST

Ivan Rosenberg will be making a rare appearance here in Northern California this Sunday March 9 and will put on a workshop at Manning Music in Berkeley, from 3 pm to 6 pm. Cost is $60 per person. Mike Witcher has used this location in the past for lessons and workshops.

Ivan and his family have been living in New Brunswick in Eastern Canada for a number of years but he grew up in Marin County in the Bay Area. I'm sure the majority of our members are familiar with Ivan, he is a fine player and an outstanding dobro teacher.

I will be in attendance, and I asked Ivan if he would like me to post on the hangout to see if anyone else in the region would like join in - I think we have around nine attendees at this point.

He announced it on Facebook, and I realize that not everyone "does Facebook." If you would like to attend send Ivan an email (it's listed below, twice) and he'll give you the details on the Manning Music location and where to park.

The doors will be open around 2:30 to get yourself situated and tuned up.

If anyone from the North Bay wants to ride with me let me know. I'll be leaving Windsor a little after 1 pm to head down to "Berzerkely."

Here is the full spiel from Ivan:

Hey California Bay Area Dobro pickers - I'm teaching a Dobro workshop at Manning Music in Berkeley on March 9th from 3 to 6pm. Cost is $60 each. Please email me at ivanDrosenberg@gmail.com to register. Here's a quick workshop description:

--------------------------------------------------------

I’m looking forward to my first Dobro workshop at Manning Music! I live way across the continent in New Brunswick, Canada these days, so it’s rare I get a chance to do anything on the West Coast anymore. This will be an all-levels workshop, but it will move at an intermediate pace. Everything will be in standard G tuning (low to high: GBDGBD). I’ll have a big pile of handouts for you to take home, and we’ll stop to record little videos of important parts you’ll want to remember, so if it moves too fast you’ll be able to review the material at your own pace after the workshop. If there are sufficient beginners who are interested, I can add a beginning workshop earlier in the day or make time for private lessons – let me know.

With so many Dobro pickers learning online these days, I want to focus on topics that are best addressed in person:

Rhythm Skills Beyond The Chop

There are many ways to play rhythm and add unique texture with the Dobro. In bluegrass settings, most Dobro players just chop when they’re not soloing or playing fills, but usually the role of playing a percussive offbeat is already filled by the mandolin, fiddle, or banjo in a bluegrass band, while in a more pared-down ensemble or with certain tempos and feels, chopping might not suit the music at all. We’ll work through several other possibilities for contributing to a band sound and adding textural variety so you can make a better contribution to your next jam.

Greasy Bluesy Bluegrass

We’ll learn/review the pentatonic blues scale in G, learn how to navigate it with the bar, and learn a tune or two while we’re there.

Solo (unaccompanied) Dobro

I’ve been teaching this subject a lot lately. I’ll give you a brief intro to the topic of solo Dobro, run you through some exercises, and then we’ll learn the melody to “Elk River Blues” and look at ways to play it as a solo piece by adding some chords, bass notes, and open strings.

Technique Tune-up and Dobro Set-up Inspection

During the entire workshop, for each attendee and whatever we’re working on, I’ll be watching you play and offering any advice that comes to mind to help you tighten up your technique. I’ll also have a look at your instruments and make sure your set-ups look and sound correct.

Time permitting I’ll get to any questions you may have about other topics, but I have a feeling the above material will get us through all three hours of this workshop with no time to spare. Shoot me a message if you have any questions:

ivanDrosenberg@gmail.com

ResoGat 2025

eric@resohangout.com — Sat, 8 Feb 2025 10:00:41 CST

For those planning to attend, the Hotel is taking reservations. The Hotel filled up pretty fast last year but there are other Motels in town as well as campgrounds.

How far up the thumb should a thumb pick be?

eric@resohangout.com — Thu, 9 Jan 2025 12:15:00 CST

Noobie player here. I assumed the thumb pick's location on the thumb is where it wraps around the thumbnail, but in watching Mike Witcher's videos on Peghead Nation and then paying closer attention to other videos, I'm questioning my assumption. It seems that it might be worn between the thumbnail and the knuckle. Can y'all educate me on what the usual placement of the thumbpick is?

Thanks,
Ted

Rec a Weissenborn knock off and need help.

eric@resohangout.com — Sun, 29 Dec 2024 18:49:14 CST

Let’s hope this post is in the correct forum and should it not be - pardon me.

Received a Weissenborn Chinese knockoff and put on new string for open D, Pierce I believe.

This is my first musical instrument and I haven’t a clue where to begin lessons.

Would anyone know where to go for paid online via zoom instructions?
TIA

Bobby Wolfe "The Resophonic and the Pickers" book

eric@resohangout.com — Sat, 14 Dec 2024 13:12:28 CST

Does anyone have a copy of Bobby Wolfe's "The Resophonic and the Pickers" they might be willing to scan and send along PDFs (or snail mail photocopies)? I'd really like to read this book and the prices on eBay are...high. I made a lowball (but to mind reasonable) offer on the cheaper of the two copies currently listed but was quickly and soundly rebuffed. I had for years been looking for a copy of the Jerry Reed tablature book by John Knowles called "Heavy Neckin'" and eventually found a site where someone had scanned and posted the book (shortly thereafter I found and actual copy with the cassette for a reasonable price).
Is $195 really an appropriate price? I know the market will determine that, but this copy has been parked on eBay for some time.
Thanks for any help!

Memorizing the musical notes of the fret board

eric@resohangout.com — Sun, 3 Dec 2023 06:58:45 CST

Are there advantages of memorizing the notes of the fingerboard compared to learning only with tablature?