Learning to Play Squareneck Dobro with a Handicap

Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:26:34 -0700\
Subject: Dobro DVD

I am blind and hope I can learn about playing my square neck dobro I just purchased. Have played a Martin since early 60, flat pick and finger picking. Hope I can master the dobro with this DVD. Jack

Greetings Jack,

Your order was received and will be shipping out this morning.

Fortunately, DVD's do serve good purpose for those who are dependent on learning by ear (such as yourself) ... there are many upsides to learning by ear that far surpass those that get caught up in reading music. If you've already been playing a Martin all these years, I believe you're going to find your way around Dobro fairly quickly ... Be sure to write if I can ever answer any questions during your learning journey. All my best, Mickey

Mickey Cochran
Mystic West Products
Acoustic Music Instruction
PO Box 2810
Alto, New Mexico 88312

http://www.mysticwestproducts.com

Subject: Thank you Sir!
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2008 12:14:41 -0600

Thanks for your encouragement Mickey. I got my first guitar for Christmas at about age 8 and from my strawberry picking money purchased a 25 cent book on making chords. I was sighted at the time and learned about 10 or 12 chords and then later my vision began to go from detached retinas and my Father, God love him!, purchased and gave to me at Christmas in the hospital a Harmony F-hole electric and a small amp with headphones for use in the hospital. Over the years I have had many mentors and have been very grateful for each. I am now 66 years old, my wife is gone and I spend time caring for the house, my dog Princess, not a dog guide but a pet, and enjoying playing:
My Martin, a mandolin, Ukulele and now starting on a dobro as my fingers may give out from artharitis someday. I don't have an expensive one, it is a knock-off copy probably made in China or indonesia. It sounds like I want and got it cheap enough. By the way, I am a piano tuner for over 42 years. Didn't make my living at it, paid my way through college along with a small country/rock band. Still have my tools but don't tune anymore due to lack of transportation. I enjoyed browsing your sight and plan to purchased some of your other dvds to improve my mandolin and Ukulele. Thanks to you for producing the DVDs, such as your "Introduction to the Dobro" for instructional purposes. God Bless and good luck to you in your life endeavors.
Sincerely,
Jack M.
Also a ham,
WA5ROP since 1966.

Jack: Thanks so much for sharing all of this with me ... very interesting. I bought my first guitar instructional book after chopping cotton in Alabama. I only lasted two days in the field ... and decided I'd rather play guitar. I took my 7.50, for two days work no less, and went to the main Florence book store, located downtown, and purchase my first book on learning to play guitar. This first book was my biggest influence in learning to play. Frederick M. Noad's Classical Guitar ... I learned to fingerpick from this book ... and now, that's all I do is fingerpick (even on mandolin) ... Be sure to write soon ... I'd love to assist with your progress.

All my best!

Mickey Cochran
Mystic West Products
Acoustic Music Instruction
PO Box 2810
Alto, New Mexico 88312

http://www.mysticwestproducts.com

Subject: Dobro straps and how they hook up
Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:43:38 -0600

Hi Mickey,
I was revisiting your site and drooling over the leather Dobro straps you sell. For now I rigged up an old nylon strap from my old Strat since I don't play it anymore, but how is the hookup different? the first time I tried it the top end of the strat was tied around right above the upper nut and got in my way. How do the leather straps hook up if that is a fair question?
Probably will treat myself for Christmas to one of the black ones with the padded fleece addition on it.
Your friend and Dobro learner,
Jack M.

Date: Mon, 9 Sep 2002 20:06:08 -0700

I would like to learn to play the dobro but I have an amputated second
finger and the tip of the index finger on my right hand. I can use the
index finger pretty well. Would I be able to adapt to learn to play a
dobro, square neck.

Thanks,

Ron Shriver

Greetings Ron,

You should have no problem adapting to playing the squareneck...

Your right hand, the picking hand, would have fingerpicks that can be adjusted to fit your fingers comfortably. The fingerpicking hand, your right hand, only requires two fingers and a thumb to play. Jerry Garcia was also missing a middle finger...he played 5-string banjo with the thumb, index and ring fingers...you also can follow his footsteps by playing dobro with the thumb, index and ring fingers...completely omitting the middle finger...

Hope this works out for you...Mickey