UPDATED 05/08/07

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Subject: Dobro for country, not for blues (just when I thought I knew what I was
doing).
Date: Tue, 25 Nov 2003 00:15:09 +0000

Mickey,

Greetings Gordon,

Glad to assist if I can:


I got interested in blues slide around 35 years ago and (after a 20 year
break playing double bass in a jazz band) am now getting back to guitar -
the proud owner (at last) of a roundneck Amistar type O copy.

However, my tastes have expanded and I am listening not only to the old
blues I loved in my teens, but to country music as well - and I am
confused!

I recently saw 'O brother where art though' and loved the music -
especially the Foggy Bottom Boys 'Man of constant sorrow' but I cannot get
my head around the dobro player - is this music style in standard tuning,
just using the steel to 'pseudo fret' the note?

Bluegrass dobro requires a lap approach...or a flat plane approach when standing. This has been the tradition since the dobro's inception into a bluegrass setting.

This approach and style has always been achieved with open tunings...never standard. The most common open tuning used for bluegrass dobro is open G: G - B - D - G - B - D...

or does the dobro player use an open tuning as in blues? If open tunings are used, how does the dobro player in a band cope with tunes in wildly different keys without
retuning?

Very simply, surprisingly, the way a dobro is designed, it allows for full chords to be played with the flat of the bar (as is true with blues guitar open-tunings). Well, it's quite easy to switch keys in open G tuning. For instance, playing in A only requires moving everything up two frets with the major chord played off of the 2nd fret. The only real limitation would be that there aren't as many open strings to fall back on as when playing in the key of G. Another common approach to changing keys on squareneck dobro would be the use of the capo...which will allow the dobroist to play in any key using the same patterns they developed in the open G position.

Also, how do they cope with minor chords, etc?

Well, the first thing that is learned on squareneck dobro is how to build your chords. By understanding how chords are dissected...for instance, as you probably are aware, a minor chord consists of a minor triad: 1 b3 5 In C, this would be: C Eb G...on the Dobro, you would place the bar at the fifth position, and avoid playing the E note of the major triad: C E G...this is an impressionistic approach, however, usually the listener's ear is led by the supporting instruments...hence, the dobro doesn't have to establish the minor E; it only has to avoid the major E. I also play minor chords on dobro by playing 2-note chords...


While I still love my old Robert Johnson stuff, I think there is a whole
new musical world out there - how do I get in?

My suggestion would be to first buy an instructional video on squareneck dobro...one that goes in-depth on the mechanics while still offering an overview of the instrument's potential. And, one that is not limited to just bluegrass stylings.

This way, you'll have a window into the 'realm" of the squareneck dobro, without the larger initial outlay of purchasing a squareneck...upon making the decision that you would like to pursue squareneck dobro, my suggestion would be to start with a lower end squareneck, such as the Regal RD-45 (not the RD-35), and develop your skills...upon developing an ear, and gaining more knowledge on the Dobro, you'll then have a better idea of what you would be looking for in a higher end dobro.

Some of the essentials necessary with when purchasing your first squareneck include:
1 plastic thumbpick
2 metal fingerpicks
1 Stevens Bar
Extra Sets of Beard Specials (strings)
1 Beard or Shubb Dobro Capo
1 Squareneck Instructional Video (books should come after visually understanding how to properly hold a squareneck and learning the mechanics visually)

Hope this helps, Mickey


Thanks

Gordon Davis

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Date: Sat, 22 Nov 2003 05:30:15 -0700
Subject: Beginning Squareneck Dobro


Dear Mickey,

Greetings Ben,

Glad to assist if I can:

Enjoying your dobro lessons in anticipation to the squareneck resonator guitar my wife is giving me for Christmas.It is an entry level Johnson jr200. I am 65 years old and have been playing guitar for a few years, wish I had started when I was younger and it was easier to learn. Just a few questions on your dobro lessons.

That's inspiring to hear...I personally love playing dobro...and find it to be far less strenuous to play than most any other string instrument. Your main focus would be to pursue exercises and studies to ensure that you keep accelerating your dexterity. Many times, in the beginning stages, an aspiring dobro player will get lost in attempting to learn a tune beyond his/her scope. This can be frustrating at best...by first building a foundation, through exercises and studies, the learning pace accelerates...and learning difficult tunes becomes far easier throughout the learning process. Hence, my first suggestion would be to find methodology books and videos to better assist you in focusing your energies.

I am assuming the picking pattern is pick down with thumb and up with index and middle finger.Is that right?

This is mostly true. Especially with single note melodies. Dobro rolls would be different...and would alternate between thumb, index to middle fingers in varying patterns.

On lesson 3 and 4 I assume you are still using thumb and index,or thumb and middle?

Follow this pattern with your right hand: Thumb (t) - Index (i) - Middle (m) fingers. This would be consistent for each string matching the following finger:
3rd String G = Thumb
2nd String B = Index
1st String D = Middle

It is not clear what a roll and reverse are, I am assuming on forward as an example you play thumb index thumb on 3, 2, and 1st string a reverse would be thumb index thumb as an example string 1, 2 and 3. Is that correct?

A reverse roll would follow this pattern:
Follow this pattern with your right hand: Thumb (t) - Middle (m) fingers - Index (i)

You understand I am doing everything backwards I will not have access to my instrument until Christmas but because I learn so slow I am studying in advance.

This is a great idea...and will accelerate your learning process...there's quite a bit that can be learned theoretically before picking up your first dobro...I believe you're truly revealing your passion to learn by studying the preliminaries before picking up your dobro.

I have many country and bluegrass songs with just the lyrics and chords over them.On the dobro would I be able to play them,and can I strum chords on the dobro?

Most definitely...major chords on a dobro are quite easy to accomplish...especially if you're just strumming. Most country and bluegrass songs fall into basic keys such as G, C, D or A. Within these keys, the chords are usually 1, 4 and 5 chords...for instance, in the key of G, you would have G, C and D as the main chords. These chords are easily played on a dobro simply by placing the bar flat for the C at the fifth fret...and the 7th fret for D. G is played open...without having to place the bar at all. This, of course, is if your dobro is tuned to open G standard...

I will no doubt have trouble tuning the guitar, can not get a pitch pipe for dobro.I might be able to tune it to itself. I have a pitch pipe for regular guitar would 1 note on that be the same as dobro,I could start tuning from that.

My suggestion is to invest in a Korg Chromatic Tuner...these are very easy to use and will ensure that you're in perfect tune before you strum your first chord. Additionally, you might consider a beginning Dobro video that teaches you how to use an electronic tuner...and most importantly, teach the fundamentals critical to becoming an accomplished dobroist.

Best of luck to you in your research efforts, Mickey

Looking forward to the dobro and starting with your lessons.
Thanks,Ben
Ben Witherell

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