The lap steel guitar is a unique and distinctive instrument that holds a special place in the world of stringed instruments. Unlike a traditional guitar, the lap steel guitar is played horizontally, with the musician resting it on their lap or on a stand. This design facilitates the use of a slide or bar, which is a key component of playing the instrument. It is often associated with the steel guitar, a name that refers to the technique used to play it—sliding a metal bar along the strings to produce smooth, sliding pitches.
The lap steel guitar has no frets, unlike standard guitars, which allows the player to seamlessly slide between notes, creating a fluid, singing tone that is characteristic of its sound. In addition to its horizontal positioning, the lap steel guitar typically uses a higher action—meaning the strings are set further away from the fretboard—making it easier for the player to glide the bar across the strings without touching them directly.
While it shares similarities with other stringed instruments, such as the pedal steel guitar and dobro, the lap steel guitar differs mainly in its lack of pedals or resonators and its more compact, portable design. This makes it an excellent choice for players who want the expressiveness of a steel guitar without the complexity of pedal-operated systems.
Genres and Use of The Lap Steel in Music
The lap steel guitar has deep roots in several musical genres, especially in traditional American music. It is a staple in Hawaiian music, where its smooth, sliding tones perfectly complement the relaxed, island-style rhythms. It was first popularized in Hawaii in the early 20th century, and its influence can still be heard in contemporary Hawaiian and island-inspired music today.
In addition to Hawaiian music, the lap steel guitar has played a crucial role in shaping country music. Many country musicians have used the lap steel to create that iconic, soulful sound associated with western swing, honky-tonk, and classic country tunes. Some of the most renowned players in country music history, such as Jerry Byrd and Bob Wills, helped define the genre’s sound with the lap steel guitar.
The lap steel also found its way into blues music, where its smooth, emotional slides offer a unique flavor of expression. It can be heard in the works of blues legends like Muddy Waters and Lightnin’ Hopkins, who incorporated the steel guitar into their signature sound. Today, the lap steel guitar continues to appear in many other genres, including rock, folk, and even jazz, showing its versatility as an instrument capable of spanning multiple musical traditions.
Essential Equipment for Lap Steel Guitar
1. Lap Steel Guitar
The first and most essential piece of equipment for playing lap steel guitar is, of course, the guitar itself. Lap steel guitars come in various configurations, but the most common versions are 6-string and 8-string models.
6-string lap steel guitars are the most common for beginners and are often used in country and blues styles. They are simpler to manage in terms of tuning and fretboard navigation and offer a traditional approach to the instrument.
8-string lap steel guitars are typically favored by more advanced players due to their wider range and the greater versatility they provide in terms of chord voicings and tuning options. They are commonly used in genres like Hawaiian music, where a fuller, richer sound is needed.
Lap steel guitars can vary in construction and design. They are typically made of wood, but some models have metal bodies that can offer a different tonal quality. The strings are generally much higher above the fretboard than a regular guitar, and they are tuned to open tunings (explained below) to facilitate slide playing.
2. Slide/Bars
Another critical element of lap steel guitar playing is the slide (also referred to as a bar). This metal or glass rod is used to glide across the strings, producing the smooth, sliding notes characteristic of the instrument. There are several types of bars, each offering unique playing characteristics:
Round-nose bars are the most common for beginners. They are smooth and tapered, providing a comfortable grip and allowing for fluid sliding motion. They are also more forgiving in terms of control.
Flat-nose bars are wider and flatter, offering more surface area for pressing against the strings. This type of bar is ideal for players who want more control over their tone and prefer to articulate chords with precision.
Bullet-nose bars are smaller, with a pointed end. These are often used by advanced players, as they allow for a greater degree of detail in phrasing and slide control.
3. Amplification
One of the most important aspects of the lap steel guitar sound is its amplification. While the acoustic lap steel guitar can produce sound on its own, it is typically played through an electric amplifier to achieve the smooth, sustained tone for which it is known. An amplifier will allow you to adjust the tonal qualities of the instrument and provide the necessary volume for performance.
It’s also recommended to use a guitar pickup—either single-coil or humbucker—mounted on the guitar to amplify the vibrations of the strings. Depending on the style of music you’re playing, the amp settings (e.g., treble, bass, reverb) can dramatically influence the tone of your lap steel guitar.
Basic Techniques for Playing Lap Steel Guitar
1. Tuning
Tuning is a critical aspect of playing the lap steel guitar, as it allows the player to produce the correct pitches while using the slide. There are several common tunings used for lap steel guitar, including:
Open E Tuning (E B E G# B E): This is one of the most common tunings for beginners and is favored in genres like country and blues. It allows for easy access to major chords and scales.
Open G Tuning (D G D G B D): Open G tuning is widely used in Hawaiian music and blues. It produces a rich, resonant sound that’s perfect for sliding.
C6 Tuning (C E G A C E): Often used by advanced players, this tuning provides a more complex harmonic palette and is particularly suited for jazz and swing.
These tunings simplify the process of playing chords and melodies because all of the strings are tuned to a single chord. This means that you don’t need to press down on the fretboard; instead, you can use the slide to shift between the notes and intervals.
2. Positioning
When playing the lap steel guitar, proper positioning is crucial. The instrument is typically placed flat on the player’s lap or supported on a stand.
The best position for the lap steel is with the strings facing up and your left hand poised over the strings to hold the slide.
The right hand should be used to pick or pluck the strings, and fingerpicking is a common technique used for creating rhythm and melody.
Keep your posture relaxed and your body aligned with the guitar to avoid strain over long practice sessions.
The slide itself is held between the thumb and fingers of the left hand, and it is moved across the strings to vary the pitch and create smooth, continuous notes.
3. Sliding
Sliding is the most important technique for playing the lap steel guitar. To slide properly, you must move the bar smoothly across the strings, without pressing too hard or too lightly. The slide should be positioned directly above the fret (not pressing into the string) to avoid muting the sound.
When sliding, keep your hand relaxed. Avoid gripping the bar too tightly, as this can limit your control over the movement and cause the sound to become harsh or muddled.
To get a clean slide, practice moving the bar in a fluid motion from note to note. Speed and smoothness are key.
4. Picking and Muting
Proper picking and muting techniques are essential for clean, articulate playing.
Picking: Fingerpicking with your right hand is often used to pluck individual strings or groups of strings. Use your thumb for the bass notes and your fingers for the melody strings.
Muting: Unwanted string noise is a common issue in lap steel guitar playing. To mute unwanted sounds, you can use your right hand to lightly rest against the strings, or use your left-hand fingers to mute strings when they are not being played.
Advanced Techniques
1. Vibrato
Vibrato is a technique used to add expression to your playing. It’s achieved by gently oscillating the slide back and forth while a note is sustained. This creates a subtle variation in pitch that adds richness and depth to the sound. Experiment with different speeds and intensities of vibrato to create different emotional effects.
2. Harmonics
Harmonics are another advanced technique used to produce bell-like, chime-like sounds on the lap steel guitar. Natural harmonics are played by lightly touching the strings above the frets (without pressing them down) and plucking the string. Artificial harmonics, on the other hand, are produced by pressing the bar down slightly on a string while also plucking it.
3. Bar Slants
Bar slants involve tilting the slide at an angle across the strings. This allows you to play notes that would be impossible to reach with a straight slide. Slants are commonly used for playing chords or creating smooth transitions between notes.
Conclusion
As with any instrument, mastering the lap steel guitar requires time and consistent practice. Be patient with yourself, and don’t be discouraged by early mistakes. Regular practice will gradually improve your technique. By incorporating these tips and techniques into your practice routine, you’ll soon be on your way to playing the lap steel guitar with greater skill and confidence.
Related Topics
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