Question on Slanting

[Lee Rider]

Hello: I have been working on my slants and find that, with a a few dislocations of various parts of my left hand, I tend to drop the bar quiet often when performing a slant. I play steel on my lap. Would it be better for me to play on a steel with legs so that the strings are level instead of sloping when I play on my lap?

[D Schubert]

One way to find out would be to try it, first of all on a keyboard stand or kitchen table. I'm sure that it's heresy, but I do better and more reliable slanting with my heavy Robert Randolph grooved bar than a round bar, because I don't drop it as much.

[Steve Lipsey]

There was a guy here a long while ago who had made a 3-D printed holder for a bullet bar that gave it a grip like on a Stevens bar...you could try a search...

[Carey Hofer]

Have you considered switching to an office chair? You could then adjust the height so it's perfectly level. Works for me.

[Chris Templeton]

What size bar are you using, Lee?
Using a pedal steel bar invites dropping.

[Tim Whitlock]

What size bar are you using, Lee?
Using a pedal steel bar invites dropping.

Great question! I find it much easier to slant with a shorter bar. 3" x 7/8" works best for me for 6 or 8 string instruments.

[Lee Rider]

What size bar are you using, Lee?
Using a pedal steel bar invites dropping.

Trying a variety of bars, want to try a coated bar that is about 7/8' x 3".

[Gary Meixner]

Lee,

I think you will find a polymer coated bar a bit easier to hold onto. I have an old Tribotone bar that I base that on; I think the bars that Todd Clinesmith sells are similar, but can't be certain. I think while getting comfortable with slants keeping the guitar as level as possible would be helpful; to that end, a stand or legs would be an advantage. Once slanting becomes more second nature I don't think it will matter as much.

Good luck,
Gary

[Lee Rider]

Thanks for all of the great advice!

Best,

Lee Rider

[Erv Niehaus]

When playing a lap steel, I prefer a tapered bar.

[Stephen Cowell]

I have neuropathy, diabeetus, and rhumatiz... so, old age (late middle really) sucks. I had been using the Paloma Stone bars... they work well and are very light. Jerry shut down for a while... and the bars break when you drop them (of course) so I found an alternative:

https://rockymountainslides.com/product ... tone-bars/

These things are great. The big indent on the flat end (not shown) helps a lot with reverse slants. I have big hands and the smaller bars just don't work for me... I use the above with everything, just super smooth and light weight. Note that these are listed for pedal steel but I prefer them for 6, 8, dobro, etc. RM makes other styles as well as their signature slides, check them out. I found that the one second from left ('Crimson Cougar'?) has too much end-grain coming out, causing roughness... my fave (sold out of course) is the Luna Salida. I have dropped these bars and they don't break like the Paloma ones... of course, they're twice the price, but PS were only 20$ ea when I bought before. Maybe we'll see PS at Ft. Worth in March, I bought mine at the Jamboree years ago.

viewtopic.php?t=397512

[Chris Templeton]

When I took lessons with Jerry Byrd at Harry's Music, on Oahu, he stressed, with a reverse slant, kicking the bar out with the thumb and not twisting the wrist.
While I'm talking Jerry: When doing vibrato, use just the wrist.
John Ely had to stop playing for a time, because he used his shoulder too much doing vibrato and injured it.
Jerry Byrd used to slap my shoulder if I used it at a lesson.