Playing chords on a lap steel guitar might seem complex at first glance, but with the right understanding and practice, it can become a natural and expressive way to make music. The lap steel guitar has a unique sound, often associated with Hawaiian, country, and western music, but it can be used in various genres. In this comprehensive guide, we will break down the essential elements of playing chords on a lap steel guitar, from the basic setup to more advanced techniques.
What is a Lap Steel Guitar?
The lap steel guitar is a type of electric or acoustic guitar, typically played by resting it on the player’s lap or on a stand. Unlike a traditional guitar, the lap steel is played with a steel bar (also called a “slide”) that the player moves up and down the strings to create smooth, sliding notes. The instrument’s distinctive sound comes from the combination of the steel bar and the technique of sliding it along the strings.
Basic Setup for Playing Chords
Tuning the Lap Steel Guitar
Before you start learning how to play chords on the lap steel guitar, it’s essential to understand the tuning. Lap steel guitars are often tuned to an open chord, which allows the player to create chords more easily when pressing the steel bar against the strings. Some common tunings include:
Open E Tuning (E B E G# B E): This is one of the most popular tunings for the lap steel guitar and is widely used in country and Hawaiian music.
Open G Tuning (D G D G B D): This tuning is common in blues and rock, as it provides a full, rich sound for chord progressions.
C6 Tuning (C E G A C E): This is another versatile tuning used in Western swing and jazz styles.
Once you’ve chosen a tuning, use a tuner to adjust the strings to the correct pitch. Proper tuning is crucial for playing in tune and producing the best sound on your lap steel guitar.
Positioning the Guitar
When playing the lap steel guitar, position the instrument horizontally, resting it on your lap or on a guitar stand. Ensure that the neck is elevated enough so you can easily slide the steel bar up and down the strings. The guitar should be comfortable and stable, allowing for free movement of both your hands.
Holding the Steel Bar
The steel bar is the primary tool for playing melodies and chords on the lap steel guitar. Hold the bar with your dominant hand, using your thumb and index finger to grip it lightly. Keep the bar’s surface in contact with the strings but avoid pressing too hard. The amount of pressure you apply will affect the clarity and tone of the notes.
Playing Basic Chords on Lap Steel Guitar
Understanding Chord Shapes
The most significant difference between playing regular guitar chords and playing chords on a lap steel guitar is that you don’t use your fingers to press down on the strings. Instead, you use the steel bar to “fret” the strings. To play chords, you’ll need to understand basic chord shapes that correspond to the tuning of your lap steel guitar.
1. Major Chord Shape
In an open tuning, a major chord can often be played by simply placing the steel bar across the strings at a specific fret position. For example, if you’re using open E tuning (E B E G# B E), the bar placed across the 7th fret will give you an A major chord. Here’s how to play a basic major chord:
- Place the steel bar across the strings at the 7th fret (in open E tuning). This position corresponds to an A major chord.
- Ensure that all strings are in contact with the bar and that no string is muted.
- Strum the strings with your pick or fingers, and you should hear the A major chord.
2. Minor Chord Shape
To play a minor chord, you will often need to raise or lower the bar slightly compared to the major chord position. In open E tuning, placing the bar across the 6th fret will produce an A minor chord. Here’s how to play a minor chord:
- Place the steel bar across the 6th fret in open E tuning for an A minor chord.
- Just like with the major chord, ensure that all strings are touching the bar, and strum the strings.
3. Seventh Chord Shape
The seventh chord is one of the most common in various genres, including blues, rock, and country. In open E tuning, you can play a dominant 7th chord by placing the bar across the 5th fret. To play a seventh chord:
- Place the steel bar across the 5th fret in open E tuning for an A7 chord.
- Strum the strings, and you will hear the dominant seventh chord, which has a slightly bluesy feel.
Advanced Chord Shapes and Voicings
While basic major, minor, and seventh chords are essential to learn first, exploring more advanced chord shapes and voicings will give you greater flexibility and creativity in your playing. Let’s go over a few more complex chords you can play on the lap steel guitar.
Diminished and Augmented Chords
Diminished and augmented chords have a unique, dissonant sound and are often used in jazz and blues music. On the lap steel guitar, these chords can be played by moving the steel bar to specific fret positions.
For example, in open E tuning:
- A diminished chord (Adim) can be played at the 4th fret.
- A augmented chord (Aaug) can be played at the 8th fret.
Barre Chords
Barre chords are a technique where the steel bar is used to press down on all the strings at a particular fret, much like the traditional barre chord on a regular guitar. This allows you to move the same shape up and down the neck to play different chords. The key to mastering barre chords on the lap steel guitar is to make sure the bar is held flat and evenly across all strings.
For example, in open E tuning, if you play a barre chord across the 5th fret, you will get an A major chord. Moving the bar to the 7th fret will give you a B major chord, and so on.
Inversions
Inversions are when the notes of a chord are rearranged to place different notes in the bass. In lap steel guitar, this can be achieved by sliding the bar to different fret positions. For instance, an A major chord can have several inversions depending on the position of the bar, each providing a different voicing of the chord.
Inversions are especially useful in making chord progressions sound more fluid and connected, as they allow you to smoothly transition between chords without jumping too far on the fretboard.
Using Vibrato and Effects
One of the most expressive techniques when playing chords on the lap steel guitar is vibrato. Vibrato involves subtly moving the steel bar back and forth along the string while holding the chord. This creates a slight variation in pitch, giving the chord a rich, emotional quality.
To add vibrato:
- Hold the bar in place over the strings at the correct fret.
- Gently move the bar back and forth in small motions, ensuring the movement is smooth and controlled.
- Experiment with the speed and depth of the vibrato to achieve different expressive effects.
Combining Chords and Melodies
While playing chords is an essential aspect of lap steel guitar, combining them with melodies creates a richer, more dynamic performance. The lap steel guitar excels at this because the steel bar allows for smooth transitions between single notes and full chord voicings. By combining these elements, you can create complex musical passages that showcase your ability to use both melody and harmony.
Chord and Melody Approach
One popular technique for combining chords and melodies on the lap steel is to use the thumb for bass notes while using the other fingers or the pick to play the higher melody notes. The thumb usually handles the root note of the chord, while the other fingers or pick strum the chord’s higher notes or pick out a melody.
This technique is commonly used in Hawaiian and country lap steel playing, where the chord provides harmonic support while the melody floats above it.
Practice Tips for Playing Chords on Lap Steel Guitar
Start Slow and Focus on Accuracy
When learning how to play chords on lap steel guitar, it’s important to start slowly and focus on accuracy. Playing too quickly can lead to sloppy bar placements or muted strings, which will negatively affect the sound.
Build Finger Strength and Dexterity
Although you’re using the steel bar to fret the strings, your left hand (which holds the bar) will still need strength and dexterity. Practice holding the bar in various positions and sliding it up and down the fretboard to build strength and control.
Experiment with Different Tunings
Different tunings offer unique chord voicings and can open up new possibilities for playing. Experiment with various tunings to discover which ones suit your playing style and the kind of music you want to play.
Learn Chord Progressions
Chord progressions are the backbone of many songs. Learn common progressions, such as I-IV-V (e.g., A-D-E in open E tuning), and practice transitioning smoothly between chords. Familiarizing yourself with these progressions will help you play along with a wide variety of songs.
Conclusion
Learning to play chords on a lap steel guitar involves more than just memorizing finger placements; it requires understanding the instrument’s unique characteristics and developing the ability to express emotion through the sliding steel bar. By practicing basic chords, exploring advanced techniques, and experimenting with different tunings and voicings, you can master the art of playing chords on a lap steel guitar.
The key to becoming proficient is consistent practice and patience. Over time, you’ll find that playing chords on the lap steel guitar opens up new ways of creating music that is both personal and expressive. Happy playing!
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