Phaedrus - Posted - 12/07/2023:  08:52:51

I started playing the Dobro in the mid nineties. After a couple of years of limited progress I decided I needed professional help and contacted Mike Auldridge for one of his hour lessons. At the time I lived about a 20 minute drive from his house and I figured I wasn't going to get better help then him.

Anyone who took lessons from Mike at his house will tell you that a one hour lesson somehow turned into 3-4 hours of intense instruction... at least, in my case it did. But that's not what this is about.

The very first thing that Mike jumped on as far as my technique was concerned was that I did not lift the bar when changing chords. If I was changing from, say, the one chord to the four chord I would slide the bar UP the strings, ON the strings, leaving a cacophony of noise behind me. Thing is, I didn't realize I was doing this until it was pointed out. Mike Was about as clean a player as ever was, and I can imagine that this habit must have grated on his nerves... as it does me after years ago correcting the offending technique.

I’m not trying to offend anybody’s playing here. I do wonder if y’all notice the same thing or if it’s just me… and Mike.

Dzyfyngrz - Posted - 12/07/2023:  09:20:32

It’s interesting to note that when playing pedal steel (and Mike was a very solid pedal player) one almost never lifts the bar while moving up or down the neck. But you mute behind the bar, and often in front of the bar, religiously.

Lounge Primate - Posted - 12/07/2023:  09:37:40

quote:

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Originally posted by Dzyfyngrz

It’s interesting to note that when playing pedal steel (and Mike was a very solid pedal player) one almost never lifts the bar while moving up or down the neck. But you mute behind the bar, and often in front of the bar, religiously.

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Well, also on pedal steel you have the volume pedal which can kill or emphasize any sliding.

hlpdobro - Posted - 12/07/2023:  15:38:46

Steel players either palm block or pick block with the _right_ hand.

h