DIY SLIDE | Lap Steel Slide Techniques - with Megan Lovell of Larkin Poe

A foray into slide techniques for lap steel guitar from Megan Lovell of Larkin Poe. #StayHome #WithMe and slide into some new skills!
Larkin Poe's album of stripped-down cover songs, "Kindred Spirits" will be out on November 20. Pre-save "Kindred Spirits" on Spotify or pre-order on iTunes, Amazon and the Official Store NOW to get the first 2 songs "Fly Away" and “Nights In White Satin” instantly! ffm.to/kindred...
Listen to "Fly Away" here: ffm.to/fly_away
Listen to "Nights In White Satin" here: ffm.to/nightsi...
Check out the Larkin Poe online shop for exclusive 'Kindred Spirits' packages and new merch goodies: smarturl.it/ki...
Larkin Poe's 2020 album SELF MADE MAN, out now! Buy/Listen here: ffm.to/selfmad...
Check out the Larkin Poe online shop for exclusive packages and new merch goodies: smarturl.it/sel...
Check out upcoming tour dates: larkinpoe.com/tour

[@mattmyers7442]

More knowledge being dropped by The Slide Queen. She's so insanely talented. 🙌💙

[@AllenBarclayAllen]

Ya don't ya love it..!?

[@izzy4el]

The song is "Dobro Island" by the great Mike Auldridge. Pretty good ear you have Megan for not hearing it for so long.

[@meks040]

Here's a link to the video kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKW0qJ-wgK-olbc

[@Youknowwho1964]

That's cool, Megan will be happy. 💖🍔🇩🇪

[@audiophileman7047]

Thank you for solving the mystery for us, Izzy! Always learning something new.👍

[@marcomaggiipsu]

It is now mandatory for them to do a cover!

[@williamgorep9177]

Doñàvin

[@podespault]

The only lap steel guitarist that made me want to buy one.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

My 8 String Lap Steel Guitar is tuned a Perfect Fourth above C6 (so it's F6) cause it's a Rare 8 String Lap Steel Quart Guitar made by Martin & Rickenbacker (the Logo Said Martinbacker).

[@atan7260]

A lesson from the slide Queen herself 🙌🙌

[@jimmyhogue4151]

After buying a lapsteel I'm needing help with learning how to tune it could you help me out please blessings to you and all your family my name is Jimmy c Hogue Jr

[@davidshepard3708]

Dobro Island. Also, you play fantastically. Great technique and good picking the stuff apart. Inspired. And now I can't get Sponge Bob Square Pants out of my head. Sounds of Bikini Bottom. So thanks for that, too.

[@dcs2402]

Hey Megan, that was awesome. One thing I would love to know about is your tone. Could you and Rebecca maybe do a vid on your amps and pedals? I got a bit of a look in this vid at your pedal board, but could only see a bit of it. You both have such amazing tone, and I know that all the gear heads out there would love to check out how you get your tone. Great work, and I cant wait till you finally come back to Australia so we can see you live...

[@Frisbieinstein]

It's 90% the player. Even for drummers, believe it or not.

[@rcdubya]

dcs2402 If I recall correctly, they did a Reverb piece where they talked about their gear.

[@buddyray69]

fender twin amps, or alike. a boost pedal or ts type pedal. Delay and or reverb. No doubt a compression for slide too..

[@facundopalacios2363]

Gbd gbd ?? Or C6 ?? ❤

[@kenpeters3775]

It's like watching your friend teach you the shortcuts to the secrets that they've discovered over the years. Just a humble and nice person, who also is a great lap steel player.

[@williamgreen4757]

We love your time and teaching Megan, thank you so much!

[@NoCantsAllowed]

I've been so enthralled with the instrument since I first saw you play it here about a year ago. It just seems such an appropriate addition to everything you add it to, second to your voices, of course. Time after time, you, and your sister, have taken so many of the unbeatable-classics and given them back to us in that way that puts a lump in my throat, most every time. Amazing! I can just close my eyes and hear them in a new way that makes me love them all over again! Now, you are one of the first I've seen to put up a few quick lessons for the instrument and I can't think of anyone else I'd rather learn a some of the unseen, subtle nuances from. Thanks and please, do more! -T

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Larkin Poe It's a Rickenbacker Guitar

[@Youknowwho1964]

So interesting how you build up the sounds. Even I will never play this or any Instrument well, I'd like to see more. Thanks. 💖Love from Hamburg 🍔 Germany 🇩🇪

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

The Frets act as handy guide lines so you can see where to move the slide. I use John Pearse Lap Steel Strings cause the company that makes them was started by the Guitarist, John Pearse. John Pearse also played a Martin 00-18H Lap Steel Guitar which was converted to a Standard Spanish Style Guitar later on down the road.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

I also found an old Martin Lap Steel Guitar, the 00-18H. Martins First Steel String Guitars were Lap Steel Guitars.

[@c.s.mcleod7383]

Best advice I ever got was from David Lindley,"Make use of the open notes."

[@robertdurrwachter]

One of my first songs on Lap Steel was Hawaiian Sunset.....Ever play that one? I enjoy your playing! You and your sister are great together!

[@Bigbuddyandblue]

I’ve been “planted behind the bar” a few times during college. 😁 Seriously, great lesson, I’m beginning playing lap steel, this is very helpful, thanks!

[@martincloud1323]

What lap steel did you get, may I ask? I am also thinking of picking it up, but am not sure what lap steel to get...

[@Bigbuddyandblue]

@@martincloud1323 the brand is Rogue. It’s Ok, but very cheaply constructed and the three screwed in legs are flimsy and wobbly, and one leg broke so I had to repair it. I would not recommend it for serious playing.

[@dannydine5263]

@@Bigbuddyandblue Yes, I have one myself and the same thing happened. Bad pickup, terrible tuning machines But, nice body and fretboard scale and nice action on the volume and tone pots. I've upgraded the tuning machines. Some day I'll upgrade that thin-sounding strat pickup they put on there and maybe the bridge and then I'll have a nice steel. I know, that's a lot but I'm kinda attached to that steel. My steel-playing friends kinda like it too but they have the same complaints as me and the same compliments as well.

[@Jadar...]

@@martincloud1323 Seems like Megan is too busy to answer : the lap-steel is a Rickenbacker made one, but with an added part that she designed with a man working in the steel industry I believe (friend of her parents). This is to make it possible to play the instrument while standing up...Don't know if it adds sonic power to her lap steel or not. Dont think it's available yet (possibly some signature model would come out some day)...😊

[@melaniepenelope_]

Oh man... I thought this was going to be easy. I can't even figure out how to keep the metal fingernail things from flying off 😆

[@thevincentbrothers9859]

Hey Megan, loving the videos. I bought (and just love it!)a Beard Sidecar a couple of years ago after seeing Rebecca’s. Now I’m toying with the idea of learning lap steel. What’s a decent entry level instrument to learn on?

[@Cryptic-1-9-1-1]

That was great! You two should do more stuff like this. Always nice to see how people do things

[@888johnmac]

no , it's witchcraft or the sounds of the gods .. well to me it might as well be

[@tuffytanner3754]

Can you share some more about scales

[@SeanKerns]

I don't know if this is cheating, but for single notes, what I do is to kind of palm mute the strings with my picking hand, and only pick he ones I want to ring out. It's not perfect, though, because the movement of the bar creates notes, as well, but at least they're quieter, and since I'm in an open tuning, they're not out of tune.

[@LesPeterGuitarJam]

You guys are simply awesome. And I can't wait for ya to swing by Denmark on March 10, 2021. Stay safe, healthy and keep on rocking. Cheers...

[@radekcrlik5060]

Now I am really curious if somebody recognizes that tune :D

[@catherinecrow5662]

See Izzy Evan's above!

[@catherinecrow5662]

@Radek see Izzy post ,above

[@radekcrlik5060]

@@catherinecrow5662 Wow, thanks a lot :)

[@timlewis6228]

I play bad to the bone,,,I sing it too.234 strings are tuned to open Gm. So,I only need those string s to sing and play it....til the lead break,,,,I am only playin 1/2 the gtr...;) your great,,,,I have a down load for Larkin Poe.....

[@frogpedals]

Megan. Thanks for the DIY Lapsteel series. I am just starting out, having built my own lap steel and seemed to settle on open G like you. My lap steel is a 22.5 inch scale. Some of the strings I have sound a bit dead. The non-wound high G string and the wound low G are my least favorite and a bit dead. For your lap steel you show here, the strings sound great. What exact strings are you buying for your guitar? Thank you if you can help!

[@bigl6322]

Alpha from Hawaii!! Sounded great…love your tone!! what kind of guitar is that?? I’m new to steel guitar (35 yr guitar tho) What key are you in there?? I’m totally stealing that tune…

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

2:29 Dobro Island played on a Rickenbacker Lap Steel Electric Guitar. The Dobro is basically a Resonator Lap Steel Guitar, & it's louder than a Standard Lap Steel Acoustic Guitar because of the Resonator Cone. Joseph Kekuku was the guy behind the Slide Guitar.

[@barrykintner5694]

-🙂- Complete newbie - thanks for the DIY SLIDE videos. Is there a way you could number them so as to follow in order?

[@PoohBear31184]

Would you mind going through the setup and part names/nomenclature for all of the gear? I've had a song call for a slide and I think proper gear outside of a super-high action standard guitar might be the right answer. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise!

[@PixelsmithysForge]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it looked like you did not mute strings as much (playing the Hawaiian song) with your bar hand, but instead you looked like you had the heel of your picking hand on the unused two lowest strings?

[@fivetimesyo]

When you bend the string with your finger like at the end, how does that not deaden the sound? Do you really press down hard with the slide? Also, when you smile the sun shines. It's incredible.

[@a.n.7863]

The key is to pull it straight to the side so it doesn’t lose contact with the slide.

[@jankafka7330]

You mentioned the picks you use but didn't go into the positioning on the fingers and the bend/curve of the fingerpicks. Could you go into more detail on picks/picking, please?

[@randos.946]

Aloha !...I paid attention...I practiced really hard...1st song I learned to play...'Hot 4 Teacher''.. the Hawaiian version, by Van Hula ...

[@chinto50]

Megan.. im just learning slide.. and im curious if there is a real difference between dobro and lap steel? I have arthritis in my left hand so playing standard guitar is becoming limited.. ( cant make a bar chord anymore.. to painful). I have a few resonators.. and have been looking at flipping them like a dobro.. I have been playing at this for about a year now.. and still cant see any basic difference in the actual playing.. other than a slightly different instrument and the ability to play it like an electric guitar as opposed to an acoustic.. are the basic techniques different??????

[@mundproduction6578]

what slide bar are you using? I am in the process of having my first lap steel built: an acoustic koa weissenborn.

[@TheNitsua59]

Do you mute with your right hand? If so how do you do so with that metal pick up cover? Thanks.

[@maineguitarists]

Thanks for the great tutorial. I'm new to lap steel though not new to guitar. What is that attachment you have on your rick?

[@randos.946]

It's called "Pineapples aren't really apples" ... by Don Ho

[@PatrickWagz]

Good lesson, Megan!! All this talk about, "the Bar" I'd like to head out to my local watering hole... Oh, nevermind, it's "Closed Until Further Notice". :-(

[@chrisberry8886]

I instantely fall in love with your music as soon as I discovered it !! And your way of playing lapsteel is awesome, as your sister with guitar. As a beginner with lapsteel, do you recommend me to use flatwound or roundwoud strings and is your 3rd string wounded ? Thanks by advance and take care of yourself both ! 😎😊

[@seejayjames]

I was already 100% in love with Larkin Poe from their videos, and now it's 1000%. Thanks for a great video, your tips are awesome! You both just seem so incredibly genuine and joyful. I'm super bummed that I'll miss seeing you live when you come to my town...but it's for a good reason, I have a gig that night! :)

[@1rwjwith]

You are one of the best I have heard on the instrument, especially in playing songs not necessarily associated with slide or lap steel guitar, LAYLA and WISH YOU WERE HERE FOR INSTANCE. Brilliant!

[@tomcrisler3216]

5:07 I have an 8 string lap steel. Do you give lessons of any kind or recommend someone who does?

[@jayscheidemen4455]

I'd love a session with your Dobro playing on Crawlin' King Snake! What tuning is that and how are you doing those turn-arounds?!?

[@piscisshippuden]

Gracias por El video, mas vídeos así por favor , son maravillosas gracias por su música

[@oldmansbasement]

Nice quote from Dobro Island at 3:53

[@gregmartin1757]

Megan is awesome. As pretty as she is talented. Really good lap steel player and great blues musician.

[@craigsphilhower8505]

Just starting to play lap steel, what tunings do you use? Mostly one or do you use several?

[@scootmcgoot570]

So wonderful watching you play. I've played regular 6 string for 35yrs and just now learning lap steel. I play by ear and seeing shapes in chords/scales. It has helped me learn some

[@chenotdidier8841]

Thank you so much Megan ! A great pleasure for me Hope to see you soon in France.

[@MindsetMastery75]

Im not gonna lie, i have a bit of a crush :)

[@tomlynch9874]

is there a technical reason the thumb pick is plastic and the finger picks metal?

[@ooloncaluphid]

Maybe you guys could add Mele Kalikimaka to your show.

[@centralholdingsintl6562]

Let's call this Megan's Lovelly Hawaiian song.

[@davestone2003]

Thanks for good techniques in blues, country style from you girl

[@andrevdhaak]

I tried slide on a dobro years ago, pfioeeeee.......so hard! But I love the sound!

[@rodparker6530]

Hey, string pulls. Nice. Just put that in there too

[@Frisbieinstein]

What's that metal thing the body of the guitar is embedded in?

[@ken1953clark]

Dobro Island by Mike Auldridge

[@bluzcat63]

Please do a vid on your pedals and any advice on developing vibrato?

[@audiophileman7047]

Great story about how you learned your first song and how Hawaiian music influenced the blues!👍 I always enjoy these lessons and hearing what motivates or informs your playing. The only question I have is if you do anything special to get ready to play. Do you perform hand or finger exercises? Do you go over a song to be sure it will play with the emotion you are seeking? Thank you, blues sister! 👍💖🎸😎

[@belindabarnes6634]

Hello Megan. I am learning to play lap steel and I am interested to know why and how your right hand technique sometimes uses the silver bar to rest your palm on? I am thinking of getting a palm rest added to my lap steel. Thankyou. I have just started to learn at the ripe old age of 63! 💖🎼😀

[@janetschwartz1790]

I,m glad you made this comment as I have been thinking of getting a lap steel and I ,m just a bit older than you.

[@ericmueller5179]

Thanks so much Megan. You really are a natural teacher! We really appreciate your pearls of wisdom.

[@michaelkosterke5137]

Hi, what tuning do you use for this song? Thanks a lot.

[@mooflaghero1]

Dbgdbg if it is a dobro song.

[@jamesc3980]

That's good music honey 🎶❤🍺

[@yrulooknatme]

I think I heard that one on Spanky and the little rascals when alfalfa was tryin to swoon darla . I'll carry that tune in my head all week now! lol

[@goodun2974]

I had some kids over to the house one time, and to keep them entertained while the adults were socializing, I showed them the noise made by a slide dragged along the strings. A 5 year old girl immediately said, " Looney Tunes"!

[@jonhughes7264]

Thanks. Really interesting stuff.

[@karylkowalczyk987]

I am an old rocker (keyboard player), and at 70 years old I have decided to play a lap steel. I need a device like you have so I can stand up to play. Where can I get one?

[@blue-tb2fd]

Hers is homebuilt and she now has a signature with Beard Guitars that integrates it into the design, it's just an attachment that holds the guitar and positions it to play standing up.

[@Lori0Tas]

I'd like to hear the story of that Panda. How you came by it, and any history you know about it before it came to you. Cheers.

[@westmus]

There may be more than one Panda in her life. I remember reading somewere that one broke when a cab driver made a panic stop.

[@Lori0Tas]

@@westmus Oh no, that would be tragic.

[@Mundproductionfunkhaus]

Is tha peavey lap steel you play in Larkin Poe?

[@Rotceh-r4g]

Great song!!! Lovely video.

[@richardhoward7393]

Is that a Rickenbacker? Is that a custom addition piece added to make it more comfortable while standing?

[@blue-tb2fd]

Yes and yes. It's a Rickenbacker (spelled Rickenbacher at the time) B6 from sometime in the 1940s, and it is a custom holder to play while standing

[@pcatful]

I wanted to hear you play Hawaiian.

[@kxmode]

Been a sub for over a year and I am just now discovering you have a ton of awesome DIY videos. I am such a lagger.

[@Raymond-rr5iv]

That is a very challenging undertaking for the first time . Love it .

[@pieceworkstudios]

Love your guitar and I love how you play. Just bought a 50s Electromuse lap steel and can't wait to bring it back to life 👍

[@satan7946]

I resurrected a 1940’s ElectroMuse lap steel in February. These videos are inspirational. Thanks for taking the time to post them. I’m a big fan!

[@pieceworkstudios]

@@satan7946 that's awesome. Mine works great, even after i broke the electronics when cleaning them😳. Got to play with my soldering gun though. All good now and she sings👍

[@juliovarela9515]

What instrument is that?

[@cliffhomow]

Mesmerizing Megan ❤

[@sopanmcfadden276]

Does a glass slide sound different

[@scburningbum666]

Thank you 🙏 awesome music

[@JusticeConstantine]

Thank you Megan for this video. Have you dabbled in pedal steel guitar yet? - Justice Constantine

[@mitcholson6413]

Love this and learned more from Hawaiian steel than I ever thought possible.

[@mitcholson6413]

Love these women, love their music and I have to say as my brothers recently deceased, overly affectionate cat was fond of saying.... " Meow " and I mean that with all sincerity.

[@ZachKopkaZake]

Do you guys look at these messages?

[@devinsbean]

What type of pedals do you use?

[@robduprey8346]

How cool the bent note at the end

[@WoozleEffect]

I've asked Jack Hollenberg of Silk and Steel to see if he can identify the song. He's a lap steel builder who spits his time between Hawaii and a nearby town in Saskatchewan, Canada. I wonder if he'll be able to recognize the tune!

[@audiophileman7047]

Izzy Evans in his post above says it's "Dobro Island" by Mike Auldridge. Somebody posted a link to Mike's song, and that's definitely it!

[@WoozleEffect]

@@audiophileman7047 awesome! I'll let Jack know!

[@eustacelufgren]

An explainer of how you played "Subway Song" would be really cool! If not too much a throwback. Nice slants and behind the bar string pull!

[@AllenBarclayAllen]

You have to patent the Medal case you made to play it on stage..! The Beebs aka SAM and I want one..! OK Magen?

[@roytee3127]

Good point about patenting it.

[@AllenBarclayAllen]

Magen the metal case for stage performance is yours by poor man coppyrinlght and patent already its on film every time you posted it on KZbin..! You 5th generation Thompson Cousins of mine patent it, sell it get royalties off it, to get your recording studio off the ground GOOD.! PLEASE WITH PENUTBUTTER AND JELLY ON IT..???

[@goodun2974]

Episode 3 of the PBS special American Epic has a capsule history of Hawaiian music; also Cajun music, and the rediscovery of Mississippi John Hurt. It's a documentary series about the history of early "field recording", and other episodes delve into the discovery of the Carter Family and other important country players. You can find it on the Amazon Prime channel. In Episode 4, world famous musicians record direct-to-disc on a lovingly restored late-1920s recording system with a single shared microphone.

[@tonysshed]

Drum loop doesnt work

[@cedderval2038]

Toujours un plaisir de vous voir ( Megane 😍)

[@GretchenNGould]

Thank you Megan for this tutorial! I've been interested in playing dobro and slide for a while. Now to put this all in motion! Keep rocking lady!

[@lrowlands53]

Yeah, just freakin' amazing! I'm so inspired by Larkin Poe that I bought a lap steel recently. Thanks Megan. I don't know the name of your Hawaiian song, but I do know Sol Hoopi was a monster of the slide. Check out "I Like You" kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKWZd5qXr8dkftE On a more sober note, the origin of slide guitar is an argument with no end - no one absolutely knows where it started though some of the folklore around it is very charming and attractive. Ultimately, it doesn't matter'; culture is in constant change and we don't have access to time machines yet. Love your work and thanks for being in the world. Lynzz, from down here in Australia.

[@LBSkbaAndy]

Hi Megan! Can you show how you do slants? I think it’s difficult and would love some advice. Thanks! /Andy Hultberg, Gothenburg Sweden

[@900rr]

Very cool, Megan! Thanks. Yep, an old dog can learn new tricks...69 years old and learning something new every day... Oh, I really love your performances as Larkin and Poe...

[@LeeHargraves]

Hi, Meghan says Episode #3. I'll have to find #1 and 2. Does she state what tuning she prefers? This is really a nice intro. I have the bar and the lap steel, but it just sounds like a manic cat with it's tail stuck in a car door. Thanks for the inspiration to try again...

[@tomas5376]

Makes me want to go find a lap steel! Nice easy to follow instructions!👍✌️😊🙏🏼🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎶🎶🎵🎶