building a lap steel guitar?

micah itko

I want to make a lap steel guitar in my wood tech class. can anyone give me a link to a video or site that has steps on how to build one.
@rusty nail. You're thinking of a pedal steel guitar. I'm going to make a lap steel guitar. They are two separate instruments.

Answer
Steel guitars have cables attached to foot pedals to change the sound. I don't know how this would work with the top resting on your lap.

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To classical guitarists: What's your opinion on guitar foot stools and other guitar supports?

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tri

Which ones are the best for your back?

Answer
hi

Nothing dumb about footstool for krist sake. Classical Professionals even use them in concert.

The idea of the footstool is to give you the correct height and you don't have to cross your leg to raise your guitar. As far as the other support like a guitar-stand in playing position, Yngwie Malsteem and others use this stand because some of their songs start slowly. So uit allows them to push the electric to one side of the body and play the classical already prepared in playing position.

As for your back, its obvious that the sitting down position is the most widely used although a classic nylong guitar is light in weight. I have used one type that hooks to the soundhole from the underside. It is like a saxophone cord resting around your neck, except, it is for guitar. That actually worked very well and have used this a few time. It is adjustable to whatever height you want and it doesn't hinder any movement whatsoever.

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What is proper sitting posture to sing while playing guitar?

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Frankie Do

I am quite experienced guitar player but I've just started learning how to sing. I've noticed, while singing posture is quite important, but I can't find any good posture for singing while sitting playing guitar. All postures are while standing. :/

Answer
I typically stand as well when I'm singing and playing, but when I've wanted to sit and create a more casual feel, I find the best way is to use a stool with horizontal slats. I put my right heel up on the slat so the knee is up and the guitar rests across that leg, and I leave my left leg down so my foot is flat on the floor about a foot in front of the stool. This helps me be able to keep my back straight and not be slouched over, which is important so you can sing properly.

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What is proper sitting posture to sing while playing guitar?

Can Guitar Center put on violin strings for me?

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Steven

I'm new at playing the violin and have no experience, but willing to learn how.
I had several difficulties putting strings on the violin because of the bridge is not glued, the pegs, etc. Really stress me out! I tuned G string correctly and it took me more than 2 hours to get it in tuned, but everytime I tried putting new strings and tuned the others, the G string will not be in tune (as well as the other strings). and of course, I broke them So I have to buy a new pack.

So I was just wondering if I go to guitar center and buy me a new pack of violin strings, will they be able to re string it and tune it for me? also, will the charge me?

thank you.

Answer
Hi Steven,

Since Guitar Center sells violins, I'm sure someone there would be able to put the strings on for you. Whether or not they would charge for it, I don't know.

A better bet would be to go to a string instrument repairman or string instrument shop (you can Google this). These are small shops that specialize in violins, violas and cellos and are run by one or two people. They would be able to string up your violin, but better yet, be happy to show you how to do it yourself.... the correct way.

Of course, if you do have a teacher, that would be your best resource, but since you say you're new at this, I figured you're not taking private lessons yet.

Putting on new strings and tuning a violin can have complications that are not apparent. Bridges are not glued to a violin. They are held in place by the tension the strings put on the bridge. This allows the bridge to be moved to different locations on the violin top in order to adjust the sound. Also not apparent is the soundpost which is a wooden dowel inside the violin that contacts the top and bottom of the violin. It's approximately located below the foot of the bridge on the E string side. This is also held in place by the tension of the strings. Like the bridge, it is not glued in place so that it may be moved to adjust the sound.

Now, if you remove all the strings from the violin, not only will your bridge fall down, but the soundpost may also fall down. You can get the bridge back up fairly easily, but in order to get the soundpost repositioned, you would need a special tool. This is where the violin repairperson comes in handy. If your soundpost has fallen down, I would recommend you go to the violin shop to get it repositioned before you put all your strings on. For one, without the soundpost, the violin will not sound right, but more importantly, if you put all your strings on, it might damage the violin top since it no longer has the support of the soundpost.

When I replace all 4 strings, I will do only one at a time while leaving the others on in order to maintain tension on the soundpost to avoid having it fall down. If your violin has no strings on it, but the soundpost is in position, then I would suggest stringing the A string first while positioning the bridge, but not tuning it to full tension just yet. String up the rest of the strings the same way. All the while check that the bridge is perpendicular to the top of the violin (actually it is the side of the bridge which is closest to the tailpiece which should be perpendicular. While you are winding the pegs, you'll find that as you tighten the strings, the bridge will start to lean toward the fingerboard.

About the bridge... The low side of the bridge is E string side. The bridge should be positioned so that all 4 strings are centered on the fingerboard, and that the feet of the bridge are in line with the notches in your f-holes.

You mentioned that when you added a string, your other strings would go out of tune. This is the nature of tuning a violin. Even if you have all 4 strings on, if one is badly out of tune low, and you tune it up, all the other strings will go slightly lower. Often you will have to tune all your strings multiple times before your violin is acceptably in tune.

Turning the pegs. There is a technique for this. You have to apply some pressure to push the peg into the pegbox while twisting the peg. If you are tuning with your violin in your lap, use one hand to twist the peg, and the other hand to pluck the string and to support the neck while pushing the peg into the pegbox. If you are tuning the violin under your chin, then you have to position your left hand in such a way that your thumb and one finger are twisting and another finger or two wrap around the opposite side of the pegbox so that you can squeeze the peg inwards while twisting the peg. It's a little hard to describe, but easier to see. Perhaps there is a Youtube video on this.

Sorry for the lengthy reply. I hope this was helpful

Good luck in your endeavor!

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How to have good stage presence as a bassist?

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Meg Peders

i am a bassist and i want to have good stage presence and and i want to develop my own rock attire( when you see a guy playing guitar with a top hat and a cigarette you think of Slash, and i want to make something like that so any ideas would be a major help) Should I jump?sing?etc how should i do it when should i do it, any tips on rocking out, finding your original rock attire, and simply just having fun on stage would be a great help?

thanks and no bad answers

also i am very charismatic so that should help

Answer
There's no one formula. A lot depends on how your stage presence blends in with the rest of the band. If the other band members stand in place and play calmly, dressed in basic jeans and t-shirts, while you're in some wild getup hopping all over the stage, it doesn't look cool, it looks like you're in the wrong band. Stage presence has to be a band decision, so talk about it with your bandmates.

One thing; move around, and engage the audience. If you just stand still with your eyes glued to the fretboard, you're not going to establish much presence. Learn your part till you can play it backwards and forwards with your eyes shut. That will free you up to move and engage the audience, make eye contact, all that, without screwing up the song.

When you move, MOVE. Don't mince around and cautiously shift from spot to spot like you're not sure whether to do it or not. JUMP. DANCE. STRIDE over to the other side of the stage. Rock out! If you're not going to move with decisiveness and action, then plant your feet and stand your ground and don't move around at all (other than swaying in place, maybe). Smile, grimace, don't fake it but get into the music and let it show.

If you go for a jump, make sure you jump on the four-beat so that you land on the one. Much more dramatic statement that way. With all this, a wireless unit helps to save you tripping on cables. Don't try any huge crazy moves (like spinning the bass around your body by the strap) that you haven't practiced a hundred times in rehearsal.

Clothing is up to you, and up to the kind of music the band is playing and what the band's overall look is. If you're playing funk, you don't want grungy flannel shirts and greasy hair in your face; if you're playing grunge, you don't want feather boas and sequined sunglasses. Agree with the rest of the band about whether the look you want is flamboyant or subdued or what. Probably the best bet is to take a cue from the way the bands you imitate or cover tend to dress.

The sort of default "uniform" for a cover band playing in bars would be a decent pair of jeans (not just cheap Wal-Mart jeans, but with a little style), a t-shirt with some sort of interesting graphic, and a bit of accessorizing to set it off from your regular street clothes - a leather jacket or vest, cowboy boots, armbands, chunky jewelery for women, that kind of thing. But if the band wants to dress like superheroes or something, go for it. Just don't have it be ONE person in a superman suit and everyone else in jeans and t-shirts.

And having said all that - one of the greatest rock bassists, of all time, the Who's John Entwhistle, "The Ox," was known for not moving around AT ALL. He stood in place and just played amazing music on his bass. But he could do that for two reasons; one, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey did enough jumping around for seven people; and two, Entwhistle was a flamboyant clothes-horse, always dressed in the flashiest 1970s style he could; he may not have been moving, but you sure SAW him there.

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Can Guitar Center put on violin strings for me?

guitar foot rest image

Steven

I'm new at playing the violin and have no experience, but willing to learn how.
I had several difficulties putting strings on the violin because of the bridge is not glued, the pegs, etc. Really stress me out! I tuned G string correctly and it took me more than 2 hours to get it in tuned, but everytime I tried putting new strings and tuned the others, the G string will not be in tune (as well as the other strings). and of course, I broke them So I have to buy a new pack.

So I was just wondering if I go to guitar center and buy me a new pack of violin strings, will they be able to re string it and tune it for me? also, will the charge me?

thank you.

Answer
Hi Steven,

Since Guitar Center sells violins, I'm sure someone there would be able to put the strings on for you. Whether or not they would charge for it, I don't know.

A better bet would be to go to a string instrument repairman or string instrument shop (you can Google this). These are small shops that specialize in violins, violas and cellos and are run by one or two people. They would be able to string up your violin, but better yet, be happy to show you how to do it yourself.... the correct way.

Of course, if you do have a teacher, that would be your best resource, but since you say you're new at this, I figured you're not taking private lessons yet.

Putting on new strings and tuning a violin can have complications that are not apparent. Bridges are not glued to a violin. They are held in place by the tension the strings put on the bridge. This allows the bridge to be moved to different locations on the violin top in order to adjust the sound. Also not apparent is the soundpost which is a wooden dowel inside the violin that contacts the top and bottom of the violin. It's approximately located below the foot of the bridge on the E string side. This is also held in place by the tension of the strings. Like the bridge, it is not glued in place so that it may be moved to adjust the sound.

Now, if you remove all the strings from the violin, not only will your bridge fall down, but the soundpost may also fall down. You can get the bridge back up fairly easily, but in order to get the soundpost repositioned, you would need a special tool. This is where the violin repairperson comes in handy. If your soundpost has fallen down, I would recommend you go to the violin shop to get it repositioned before you put all your strings on. For one, without the soundpost, the violin will not sound right, but more importantly, if you put all your strings on, it might damage the violin top since it no longer has the support of the soundpost.

When I replace all 4 strings, I will do only one at a time while leaving the others on in order to maintain tension on the soundpost to avoid having it fall down. If your violin has no strings on it, but the soundpost is in position, then I would suggest stringing the A string first while positioning the bridge, but not tuning it to full tension just yet. String up the rest of the strings the same way. All the while check that the bridge is perpendicular to the top of the violin (actually it is the side of the bridge which is closest to the tailpiece which should be perpendicular. While you are winding the pegs, you'll find that as you tighten the strings, the bridge will start to lean toward the fingerboard.

About the bridge... The low side of the bridge is E string side. The bridge should be positioned so that all 4 strings are centered on the fingerboard, and that the feet of the bridge are in line with the notches in your f-holes.

You mentioned that when you added a string, your other strings would go out of tune. This is the nature of tuning a violin. Even if you have all 4 strings on, if one is badly out of tune low, and you tune it up, all the other strings will go slightly lower. Often you will have to tune all your strings multiple times before your violin is acceptably in tune.

Turning the pegs. There is a technique for this. You have to apply some pressure to push the peg into the pegbox while twisting the peg. If you are tuning with your violin in your lap, use one hand to twist the peg, and the other hand to pluck the string and to support the neck while pushing the peg into the pegbox. If you are tuning the violin under your chin, then you have to position your left hand in such a way that your thumb and one finger are twisting and another finger or two wrap around the opposite side of the pegbox so that you can squeeze the peg inwards while twisting the peg. It's a little hard to describe, but easier to see. Perhaps there is a Youtube video on this.

Sorry for the lengthy reply. I hope this was helpful

Good luck in your endeavor!

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How long should a guitar strap be?

guitar foot rest image

Coolest Pe

I am having a custom leather guitar strap made for a friend of mine. How long and how much adjustability should it have? He is 6'2" tall. It is for a gibson humingbird if that makes a difference as far as where it is hooked into the guitar. I dont want to ask him cause then he will be suspicious! Ideas on a good width is apreciated as well!

Answer
I guess I'll try to give you an answer. I'm 6'2". My strap is 5' fully extended and 2'6" as short as it can get. I probably wear it around 4'6" most of the time but I'm primarily a bassist and prefer my guitar sitting low (like a bass). Maybe somewhere around 4' in the middle, adjustable a foot in either direction? If you want less adjustability, make the middle a little more than 4'. A really good option is to sneak by his guitar and measure how long he has his strap. Give him at least 6" of adjustability in either direction of what he's currently using.

Also I don't know if you've considered it, but have you thought about making a custom pickguard for him? Pickguards are cheap and you can paint them easily. They're that big strip of plastic on the body of the guitar. Maybe you could make the guy a really cool pickguard. Just remember a few things while you're working on it: (1) He's in a rock band and it needs to be cool, not cute. (2) It's vastly more important how it looks from 10ft and 50ft away than when you're holding it. (3) Consider exactly how it will look on a Gibson Firebird. When you're coming up with ideas make sure you can see the rest of the guitar. It's important that your design works with that specific guitar. (4) Keep it simple. Usually that's the best call.

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What is proper sitting posture to sing while playing guitar?

guitar foot rest image

Frankie Do

I am quite experienced guitar player but I've just started learning how to sing. I've noticed, while singing posture is quite important, but I can't find any good posture for singing while sitting playing guitar. All postures are while standing. :/

Answer
I typically stand as well when I'm singing and playing, but when I've wanted to sit and create a more casual feel, I find the best way is to use a stool with horizontal slats. I put my right heel up on the slat so the knee is up and the guitar rests across that leg, and I leave my left leg down so my foot is flat on the floor about a foot in front of the stool. This helps me be able to keep my back straight and not be slouched over, which is important so you can sing properly.

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How long should a guitar strap be?

guitar foot rest image

Coolest Pe

I am having a custom leather guitar strap made for a friend of mine. How long and how much adjustability should it have? He is 6'2" tall. It is for a gibson humingbird if that makes a difference as far as where it is hooked into the guitar. I dont want to ask him cause then he will be suspicious! Ideas on a good width is apreciated as well!

Answer
I guess I'll try to give you an answer. I'm 6'2". My strap is 5' fully extended and 2'6" as short as it can get. I probably wear it around 4'6" most of the time but I'm primarily a bassist and prefer my guitar sitting low (like a bass). Maybe somewhere around 4' in the middle, adjustable a foot in either direction? If you want less adjustability, make the middle a little more than 4'. A really good option is to sneak by his guitar and measure how long he has his strap. Give him at least 6" of adjustability in either direction of what he's currently using.

Also I don't know if you've considered it, but have you thought about making a custom pickguard for him? Pickguards are cheap and you can paint them easily. They're that big strip of plastic on the body of the guitar. Maybe you could make the guy a really cool pickguard. Just remember a few things while you're working on it: (1) He's in a rock band and it needs to be cool, not cute. (2) It's vastly more important how it looks from 10ft and 50ft away than when you're holding it. (3) Consider exactly how it will look on a Gibson Firebird. When you're coming up with ideas make sure you can see the rest of the guitar. It's important that your design works with that specific guitar. (4) Keep it simple. Usually that's the best call.

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How long should a guitar strap be?

guitar foot rest image

Coolest Pe

I am having a custom leather guitar strap made for a friend of mine. How long and how much adjustability should it have? He is 6'2" tall. It is for a gibson humingbird if that makes a difference as far as where it is hooked into the guitar. I dont want to ask him cause then he will be suspicious! Ideas on a good width is apreciated as well!

Answer
I guess I'll try to give you an answer. I'm 6'2". My strap is 5' fully extended and 2'6" as short as it can get. I probably wear it around 4'6" most of the time but I'm primarily a bassist and prefer my guitar sitting low (like a bass). Maybe somewhere around 4' in the middle, adjustable a foot in either direction? If you want less adjustability, make the middle a little more than 4'. A really good option is to sneak by his guitar and measure how long he has his strap. Give him at least 6" of adjustability in either direction of what he's currently using.

Also I don't know if you've considered it, but have you thought about making a custom pickguard for him? Pickguards are cheap and you can paint them easily. They're that big strip of plastic on the body of the guitar. Maybe you could make the guy a really cool pickguard. Just remember a few things while you're working on it: (1) He's in a rock band and it needs to be cool, not cute. (2) It's vastly more important how it looks from 10ft and 50ft away than when you're holding it. (3) Consider exactly how it will look on a Gibson Firebird. When you're coming up with ideas make sure you can see the rest of the guitar. It's important that your design works with that specific guitar. (4) Keep it simple. Usually that's the best call.

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