How to Get Started on Dobro - Abbie Gardner

Top 5 essentials to get you started on lap style squareneck Dobro! G-tuning one string at a time, what gauge strings to use, using clip on tuners, finger picks, slide tone bar, using a nut raiser to try playing before investing in a resophonic guitar. Pro musician Abbie Gardner from the band Red Molly will guide you through the basics!
*NEW DOBRO FROM SCRATCH BEGINNER COURSE is out!!*
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CORRECTION: I said do-re-mi for 1-3-5, but meant do-mi-sol. Oops!
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Links to gear mentioned below. Though it's always best to SHOP LOCAL, as an Amazon Associate I earn from purchases when these links are used (at no extra cost to you).
D’Addario EJ42 Resonator Guitar Strings
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D'Addario Micro Guitar Tuner, Headstock Clip-On, Two-pack
amzn.to/3ocxMSK
Grover Nut Raiser
amzn.to/3n2t2xu
Golden Gate Thumbpicks
amzn.to/387tjuV
National NP-2B-4PK Finger Picks - Brass
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The NP-2-4PK Finger Pick in Nickel Silver.
amzn.to/2X1zsSP

[@wmsimpson1960]

Wow! Thank you for this! I don't play dobro, but this helps me understand the instrument. Your enthusiasm is infectious!

[@WrightFielder]

I am an old guy wanting to play the guitar and I got lucky enough to discover you. More than anything or anyone else, you have inspired me to learn Dobro. I like everything about you, and as a former teacher for many years, I find your passion and talent a match for my desire. Thank you for helping me get started. I bought my Dobro, tone bar slide, and finger picks. I am tuned to "Open G" and ready to dig in to your videos. Thanks again. You are appreciated. (I really like your "Three Quarter Time.")

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

i'm so glad!

[@tavanweerd]

So happy I found you I just inherited my father's dobro and don't know how to play it and I need to know because I would love to do bro thank you for sharing and posting also teaching thank you thank you thank you

[@1777jimbo]

As a new resonator guitar owner, I was thrilled with your video. You covered all the stuff we need to know,in order to get started. Got the tuner on my tablet and ordered some pics. Great way to dodge the heat this summer in Galveston Texas. Looking forward to watching more of your lessons.

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

awesome!! I'm so glad it was helpful! :)

[@donindri]

I tuned one of my acoustics to jibbidy jibbidy and used a bottle neck slide to see how it felt playing lap style. It was fun, so I got a basic Gretsch square neck. Been learning the Major and minor pentatonics to pick in between chords. Also learning a John Prine song called Please don’t Bury me that has all Major chords. Challenging to learn a new tuning, but the sound of the dobro is really cool. Thanks for posting.😎

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

awesome! yeah the sooner you can play real songs the better and faster you'll learn! have fun!

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

jibbidy jibbidy LOL

[@krehnah7541]

Thanks for the warm welcome! I picked up a dobro at my local Game Exchange (of all places), thinking it was just a resonator and not knowing why the neck was square. I just knew that what they were charging for a like-new Gretsch, i was practically stealing the thing, had no choice but to take it home. Now i have a new instrument to learn lol, and i look forward to learning from your videos. Cheers!

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

awesome, how's it going so far?

[@krehnah7541]

@@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger slowly but surely! learning instruments was much easier when i was younger. Good thing ive grown more patient with time haha

[@JoyfulJennalain]

Thank you for this. I just inherited a guitar that turned out to be a dobro. I’m completely new to this and this video was exactly what I needed. ❤

[@TheREALJosephTurner]

My mother just gave me a Dobro that's been in the family since it was purchased new in the mid-30s. I looked through a few "where to start" videos, and yours is the only one that really clicked with me. Thanks to you, I have it all tuned up (I used the Tuneo app on my phone) and it sounds great! Your video was a great guide to put in my order for a few assorted finger picks and a tone bar (closest music store is 45 minutes away, so I ordered a variety of finger picks to play with). All I had on-hand was a glass slide, but even with that and a couple of your other videos, I'm already making sounds that don't sound like pure noise! Checked out a couple of your performances too. So, SUBSCRIBED, and I can't wait to learn from you!

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

awesome!

[@wearsider]

Place the plastic thumb pick for 3-5 seconds in very hot water and you can adjust it to fit your thumb if it's a little tight or loose.

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

good advice David!

[@robertcanedo7607]

hey, thanks for your very straight forward, and enjoyable information on starting my music journey with a resonator guitar! I bought a kit on Amazon, and converted my good ole Gretsch dreadnought. I think the truss rod will help ease the tension on the strings .I'm 75, and of course have mild arthritis, so the slide really helps.Best to you, Bobby

[@leonardwillis6954]

I'm going to pick up my dobro Saturday, at my local music store, I first seen you on a rerun of Woodsongs and loved hearing your voice and the way you played, impressive! I'm going to give it a try so keep the lessons coming, thank you!

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

oh yay Woodsongs was super fun. Thanks to keeping in touch!

[@morsejason]

Hi Abbie. First of all...wow. you are very talented and a joy to watch. I just started my bluegrass journey about a year ago. I play guitar and have learned todo some flat picking and bottleneck stuff. Then I looked up 1952 Vincent Black Lighting covers to help me figure it out. That's when I first heard you play. Wow. Infectious. I just bought a used boxcar and am waiting for it now. Should have it in a few days. Thank you for taking the time to put these videos up. I will learn much from you.

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

awesome!! I guess i'm a little late in responding, so how has it been going? I hope that thing isn't collecting dust!!

[@rennyschweiger]

Absolutely fantastic. ❤

[@randycrass2097]

You are so awesome and inspiring, I've never heard that said, "...in all my pea_picking life," as my mother would say, the definition: "open" tuning. Says a lot for my self-taught play by ear! Keep uh doin' what your doing and don't quit. Some of us oldsters out here are learning to play the Dobro.

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

pea picking! haha. thanks Randy

[@JohnsonCoHunter]

Hello, I have a Guitar that my Younger Brother made several years ago and gave to me. I never could get my left hand to contort to play chords lol. So the guitar sat in the corner for a long while. I do play a 6 string Bass and love the bass, but have always wanted to learn the Dobro and Pedal Steel Guitar. A while back, I learned about the nut extender mod and grabbed one at a local music shop, as well as some Dobro Strings and put them on the guitar and messed around a little with it. But then it sat again. However here recently I decided to buckle down and start learning to play the dobro, with the intent to eventually buy an actual dobro. My Music consists of Old “real” Country and Gospel Music, but I love your style of playing too, I’ve listened to most of your videos this morning, it’s more enjoyable than doing my work that I should be doing. Lol Appreciate the videos!!!!

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

this makes me so happy Joe! Welcome to slide town. The water's fine. ;)

[@JohnsonCoHunter]

@@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger currently fumbling through the old Hymn, Blessed Assurance. Butchering the tar out of it but making progress. Lol

[@haptown]

Your positivity is inspiring! And I must be holding my slide properly, because I seem to drop mine on the floor fairly often. :) Regarding thumb picks, I had to snip, sand and shape mine a bit to make it more comfortable to wear and to make it more suitable for the lap steel ukulele. Even after that I still manage to get it hung up on a string once in a while.

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

nice! yeah everyone's picks fit a little differently. you can also heat up the plastic ones in hot water and bend them a bit :)

[@pawnusa]

Thanks SO MUCH ❤️ Have a Dobro in the closet the last several years and excited to try and Make Time to have some fun with it

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

YES! Fun is important Mark!

[@resoslide]

Been playing about 20 years and still learn a lot from you. I did notice you didn’t mention plastic finger picks. I’ve used metal most of the time I’ve played, used different pro picks, National and perfect touch and switched to plastic about a year ago and like the sound better. The metal scrapping noise completely disappeared. It takes some time to shape them but well worth it.

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

Nice! Yeah if that sounds better to you, go for it! I like the metal fingerpicks with a plastic thumbpick, but it's personal preference :)

[@christopherking5354]

you are a great teacher. Thank you for your videos, I am learning so much from you.

[@71Corvette454]

Wow, your attitude to teaching is just the most amazing one!:) I haven’t really planned on learning the Dobro yet, but it seems that if I keep watching them videos of yours, I might not be able to resist getting one soon!:D That was one awesome getting started lesson:)

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

mwah ha ha my plan is finally working [insert evil laugh here]... I think EVERYbody should play dobro!! It's so fun. :)

[@71Corvette454]

@@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger :D

[@AlexpxThreeTen]

Great lesson, especially all the little tid bits of infor and how to hold the tone bar. Thank you for sharing!

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

glad you liked it! :)

[@sandrasuttermusic9124]

Can't wait to get started Abby, thank you for the tips. I have a dobro that was owned by a truly fantastic and talented player, Jim Peace, who we lost last week. It will be such an honour to be able to play it. You're a very engaging teacher, and I'm looking forward to the coming lessons!

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

yay!!

[@HektorBandimar]

Great video, I like the way you present and explain it all, your friendly personality is fantastic.

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

aw thanks!

[@1777jimbo]

Thanks!

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

Thanks!! oh and I saw your other comment about being a new reso player... if it's helpful, I have a new course called "Dobro from Scratch" too! Sometimes the one-off videos are more right, or you may want a step-by-step course like this one. Up to you! Happy sliding! abbie-gardner.mykajabi.com/joinus

[@BrianBrowder-ni6gq]

Great video

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

Thanks! So glad you liked it Brian!

[@tonywtyt]

You helped sway me toward a purchase of a dobro. I lean more toward rock and electric, but I decided I go with something that doesn't depend on an amp and I could just play it anywhere. This comment is based on viewing some of your other videos, which has brought me to this one : ) Darn! I ordered a one with a rounded neck yesterday, so I hope that doesn't hurt me in the long run.

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

Hey Anthony! Glad you got a dobro (aka resonator guitar)! Yeah the square necked ones are for lap style playing specifically, but you can absolutely get started with a round neck. Just be careful with how much tension you put on it - maybe consider lighter gauge strings if it still sounds ok

[@robertesposito9871]

Your a great teacher, I wish my banjo teacher taught like you

[@philippegronsfeld509]

Merci. Exactement ce que je cherchais, avec humour et bienveillance, en plus. J'ai adoré.

[@AndieZ4U2]

Nevermind playing the guitar. I have a vibrational tuner of my own to keep me warm. I leave it on all the time. ⚡💢💯😻

[@denisthibouthot4448]

Thanks!

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

oh wow thanks Denis!

[@thefraudsniffer5485]

I would like to add for a tuner, be sure to get one that will fit on your headstock! Mine was to small so I had to just lay it down on top of it while I tuned it.

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

wow yeah good advice!

[@bonnieoliver219]

A fantastic informative video. Thanks so much.

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

thanks Bonnie!

[@richardprutz6458]

- Go for it- I build Two Dobros and I love them. I need to Classic one as the TEACHER. (HaHa)

[@jimmymalone3494]

Thank i enjoy your videos thank you for sharing with us

[@erich1516]

I'm gonna play Dobro !

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

yay!

[@stevenlittlejohn3112]

Okay. Possible depressing question. I have a right handed Dobro, like you do. BUT, I play left handed, as McCartney and Hendrix do and did. I can't see why this, as it is, won't work for me. As I follow you...so far, seems it's okay. My regular resonator, it's a lefty. Love it. Seems Tom T. Hall likes em too. So how far will I get with a righty played by a lefty, opposite of how you sit. Strings as they were, cept for me, upside down. Mst say, in this last half hour, you have me plating better with the way you taught me to use the slider. Thank you.

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

I wish I knew the answer Stephen, but I'd encourage you to keep playing however it works for you and don't worry how others do it unless you're running into a road block of some kind and can't find a way around it.

[@jonsikha]

Thank you for all your videos, it’s really easy to follow and extremely useful :) Questions: What’s a good starter dobro that you would recommend? Do you use a pickup or do you simply mic it when you play live?

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

So glad they're helpful! I prefer using a mic, but also use a pickup (especially on larger stages or when playing with drums. A good starter - really hard to say - anything that sounds good to you and keeps you inspired, even if it's a regular guitar with a nut raiser on it!

[@jeffcurtis8089]

Thank you for your video. My brother bought me a Dobro Hounddog (round neck) for my birthday. I'm more interested in learning to play lap style, so the news of a nut raiser was very welcome. This is a brand new dobro and the action is like that of a regular guitar. I'm not really interested in playing it as a slide guitar. (I do play guitar, but I want to go after the lap style stuff.) Which brings me to this question: Will the nut raiser damage the round neck? Are there any steps I should take to make sure that doesn't happen? I would have advised him to get a square neck had my brother informed me of what he was getting. But this is what I have and I don't want to ruin it out of ignorance. Your video was great. I hope things go well for you in your musical journeys.

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

Hey Jeff, yeah good to be cautious when using a nut raiser on a round neck. You can get away with it for awhile for sure, as long as the string gauge isn't too heavy and you're not in E tuning. Honestly D-tuning would be even less tension on the neck. I'd get regular adjustments/tune ups on the guitar just to be sure it's holding up okay. I'm no luthier but my guess is that a 6-12 month check up would suffice? Overkill maybe for a regular guitar, but like you said, it's a precaution. You may want to ask your guitar tech/repair person how often to check it. Another thing is to use the lowest gauge strings you can get away with that still hold the tuning - it's just another way to reduce neck tension. So maybe guitar strings instead of Reso strings? But anyway, it's a great way to start out and see if lap style is for you!

[@chrischausse2819]

Abbie, why do you not have lessons online? I would sooooo pay for lessons from you !!!!!

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

thanks Chris! I'm working hard on making a new record, but will probably start up lessons again once I'm done. Love your enthusiasm!! :)

[@chrischausse2819]

@@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger im buying a dobro Friday. I play guitar ok so hopefully that'll help. Either way, I'm in !!!!

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

@@chrischausse2819 awesome!

[@enantiodromia]

Thank you for the great session and introduction. Unfortunately, the dobro guitars don't come bundled with you... :)

[@chrisberch7589]

We ordered a dobro from eBay….it SAID square neck in the description…turns out…it’s round. No returns. We want to play using the flat method…can we still do it with this instrument?

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

totally can, Chris! Towards the end of this video I mention an inexpensive "nut raiser" that can be added to any guitar. Here's the link: amzn.to/3n2t2xu Just keep an eye on the neck of your guitar, as eventually it may start to warp from the added tension. But at least you can get playing and then see if you like it!

[@Mattsyoutubetv]

I just recently was given a dobro and stumbled on your videos. You seem like an entertaining teacher. My only question so far is do the bars get taller to accommodate big fingers? For example my left ring finger is a 15 and a half. So I have a hard time keeping my large thumb off of the strings.🥴

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

You could probably get a longer or bigger bar... mine is shorter so why wouldn't they have bigger ones?

[@concernedhuman915]

Would you ever work up an old Johnny Cash song, "Ain't No Grave". I'm just getting into dobro and I want to do this song.

[@kevinasbery6119]

Wow! Your enthusiasm and energy for the Dobro is infectious! I’m in the process of saving up the money to get my first dobro. I’m leaning towards the Gretsch G0210 Boxcar square-neck. I’ve been watching different videos of different brands and I really like the Gretsch. Do you know anything about that brand good or bad? I know that it is a laminate and not solid wood, but it is in my price range. I’ve heard that the solid wood ones sound richer with age and the laminate will probably sound the same for the most part.

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

Hey Kev! Awesome about getting your first dobro! Yeah whatever gets you started is great. As long as when you play it you like the sound. And you can always replace the cone to make it sing more, if needed. I know it's tough to try them out in stores right now! Good luck with it! I'm planning some new videos so let me know if there's something specific you want to learn!

[@kevinasbery6119]

@@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger good evening Abbie. Thanks for responding. When I do finally get a dobro I will be starting from scratch. I hope that you will have an online course by then.

[@camilo1455]

@@kevinasbery6119 check out Troy Brenningmeyer...

[@timamos822]

Thanks Abbie, just bought my first dobro, any suggestions other than watching your videos.

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

Hey Tim! Yeah, try playing along with any songs you might like. Also there's a lot of instructional stuff on KZbin. And the very best is if you can find people to play with. Even if you don't feel ready, have some fun with it and see what happens. You'll learn a lot that way

[@kevinclose6728]

Love your style and enthusiasm for teaching dobro. I have actually been using the nut extension on an old guitar and I am about ready to pull the trigger and buy my first resonator. What would you recommend . As much as I would love to have an instrument like you beautiful Paul Beard with the string benders I dont think I could justify that much money. Thanks for any help you can offer and I'm looking forward toore videos from the wood shed

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

Beard has a more "intro" priced model called the Gold Tone. Also the Decaphonic Beard has the old school sound and is less expensive, while also being lighter weight. I also like the Wechter Scheerhorn model though I think it's gone up in price.

[@JohnSims3]

I just bought a Gretsch Boxcar and it's awesome for the price!

[@michaelwhalen7991]

Got a Pyle acoustic electric for under $200.00 and was blown away with its quality, sound, and finish. Perfect for my first Dobro.

[@denniscooksr.4036]

Plz show some traditional Gospel playing

[@mikeb792]

Such a great video. Glad I found your channel, I just subbed. I've been wanting to take my old acoustic guitar (a 30 year old Epiphone acoustic/electric) put a nut riser on it and learn Dobro on it in GBDGBD but I didn't know what strings to even start with so THANK YOU for that tip. I've heard that tuning an acoustic to GBDGBD could damage the neck or rip the Bridge off. Have you noticed any of that happening? Thanks again. Love your channel.

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

So glad you found my video and that it was helpful! I did crack the neck of one roundneck, but had it in a tuning with more tension (E tuning) for a long time (1-2 years). G-tuning is a little less intense for the guitar, but if you're worried about it you can use lower gauge strings.

[@davemasini5699]

Can you use the same slide bar for a Dobro with a lap steel guitar, or is there a difference ?

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

Lap steel and dobro are similar, so you can get away with the same bar, but when it comes to pedal steel you'll want a "lipstick" or "bullet" bar that's smooth all the way around.

[@danielheath-zu9sz]

What do you think about flat picking the dobro? I have a Gretch square neck dobro and am just starting.

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

Honestly, it would really limit you. With dobro you're already down to just the slide on the left hand, if you only use one pick on your right (rather than the usual three fingerpicks) it could be pretty tough. Then again, you do you! Let us know how it goes!

[@davidlubinski6098]

Abbie I love your videos. I see you have a HipShot on your dobro. Do you play in open D or G6 tuning?

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

good eye! yes I use it for open D

[@craiglangille6807]

Hi love your video's can you tell me what kind of dobro is that and what is that behind the bride is it a string bender or hip shot? Thanks again.

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

Hey Craig! I play a custom Beard dobro modeled after the Black Beard. And good eye - yes that's a hipshot! :)

[@Snakefinger1000]

Why so many tuners I find that my ears do an excellent job especially if my ax is tuned to G or some other open chord? You kids have it so easy, when I started playing I had my Dad's piano or a tuning fork [C] to tune my guitar.

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

Nice! That's even better!

[@dalediane1]

Do you have a link to the invisible tuner? And thanks for your great videos. I assumed they would be too hard but they are all effect! Just like the 4 th and the 5th. A little music theory humor.

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

haha hi Dale! Glad to see you on here! :) here's a link to that tuner: D'Addario Micro Guitar Tuner, Headstock Clip-On, Two-pack amzn.to/3ocxMSK

[@vaudevillian7]

This is great, thank you! Love your music. Is there any particular guitar(s) you’d recommend for a complete novice?

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

I love the Beard Gold Tone or Scheerhorn Wechter, but really anything that sounds good to you will keep you playing. Even an old guitar with a "nut raiser" will do to start out!

[@fredericbarriere8734]

Nice lesson ! Can I follow these tips on a lap steel and adopt the same tuning ? .... Open G tuning G B D means Sol Si Ré

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

I'm sure you can! I figure lap steel is to dobro like a chainsaw is to a hand saw...

[@emilyhackworth6648]

Do you use the heavier gauge strings when you use the nut raiser on a regular guitar?

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

Hey Emily! You'd use the regular resonator gauge strings (56 on the bottom) unless you wanted to play in E tuning, then a little lighter actually.

[@danielheath-zu9sz]

I just watched your dobro introduction . I think that i prefer to stick to one open tuning, so, which is best for the beginner to use, D or G? Also, after i learn to play a song or two, i will be getting a real resonator dobro. Do you have any experience with the Gretch Boxcar?

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

Hey Daniel, it really depends what type of music you want to play. Bluegrass generally is G tuning, blues/songwriter is generally D or E, though OF COURSE this is an over-generalization and just a place to start. I don't know the Gretch, but square neck is the way to go if you want to play lap style. Hope that helps!

[@lotowner7240]

Do mi sol

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

yes yes, i know! haha I've been corrected many many times in the comments but i can't edit the video without taking it down. :)

[@TonyBurke100]

How is open G tuning different on a Dobro than on a guitar how is it please explain?

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

on dobro it's GBDGBD (low to high), on guitar it's usually DGDGBD - so it's those bottom two strings that are different

[@brishengieseler4894]

Darn it I wish I knew about the square round neck thing, I accidentally spent a bunch of money on a dobro, that has a round neck. So I guess it's not a dobro haha. I don't know what to do now? I tried tuning down all the way to the 5th, (open D) with the same 135 thing. But then it became a little harder to play. I then switched back to open g, and now I'm worried about the next snapping. I guess I'll just see what happens, kind of lame of the person who sold me the dobro to not tell me this

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

you could try the guitar DGDGBD tuning on round neck. Or put a "nut raiser" in ? Or just sell it and get a square neck!

[@lasshrugged]

Like the string gauge advice, don't see that a lot for dobro. Do you have any advice for reducing the sound of the metal pick striking the strings? I don't notice it much when you play, but it sounds really loud when I do.

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

It could be the angle you're striking the strings or maybe you need a little more muting overall... that's the perfect thing to ask a dobro teacher. Ivan Rosenberg, Mike Witcher, and Orville Johnson are all teaching Zoom lessons now and are excellent at targeting just this kind of thing, even over the computer! In the meantime, try experimenting with the angle your pick hits the string and see if it makes a difference

[@passionforguns]

I’m left handed, how could I find a lefty? Thanks.

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

good question! I don't exactly know, though if you had a lefty guitar you could convert it! Also looking on Reverb.com for used ones might help

[@SjaakShirly6559]

Thank you Abbie! Do you mute the lower strings with your left hand thumb too? Or just with pinky and ringfinger?

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

I often mute both open B strings with my left hand - strings 5 and 2, but of course not always! :)

[@SjaakShirly6559]

@@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger thanks! I really enjoy your video's.

[@davidtoller137]

Abbie, do any players tune to open E?

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

I adore open E, but my guitars don't tend to like that much tension, sadly

[@Boettisgroovegarden]

what kind of bridge is this? it looks like a tremolo to me

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

haha, yeah it's a Doubleshot by a company called HipShot. It's a lever with microtuners so I can switch between G tuning and D tuning with just the lift of the lever! Pretty cool stuff, right? :)

[@Boettisgroovegarden]

@@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger yeah, that´s cool! I know HipShot, but I have never seen this bridge before.

[@janetnewsom5460]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@gaffrigged22]

You are great! But the chord is 1, 3 ,5, Not do ray me....but do me sol.....

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

haha, you're SO right Joshua! I was never good at the Solfege system. At least I got the 135 part right! :)

[@gabrieladebayo1829]

@@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger I like the honest and humble response.

[@addickkelders2265]

G B D do re mi🤣

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

haha, I know!! I mentioned this mistake in my description. ;)

[@KaptainCanuck]

Dobro does NOT apply to any resonator guitar. Just because people do so does not make it proper, correct, right, nor, especially, fair to Gibson. The name of the type is a resonator if the 3-word type is not preferred

[@DeltaLou]

I would never ever use metal finger picks. ALWAYS plastic. You will save scratching the hell out of your guitar.

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

metal fingerpicks are pretty standard on dobro, but you do you, George!

[@BryanClark-gk6ie]

LoL' If you're playing the guitar strings you're not gonna scratch your guitar. It's not like painting with a wire brush.

[@albertso803]

G-B-D is not do-re-mi. It's do-me-so, 1-3-5, not 1,2,3. Sorry. Couldn't stop myself.

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

haha, I know I know... but hey if I didn't mess up sometimes you guys wouldn't have anything to comment on! :)

[@albertso803]

@@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger Twenty years as an editor is a constant challenge to forget. Dobro question: As my wrist and shoulder arthritis advances it makes guitar more painful to play. Is dobro less taxing physically than guitar. Had surgery on the right wrist but left wrist is a mess.

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

@@albertso803 Absolutely! Lots of guitar players seek out the dobro when they get arthritis, so you're not alone. You can even wear a splint while holding the bar with your left hand, to keep your wrist protected. Just be sure you get ALL your joints moving gently and in a pain-free range before and after playing, including your shoulders. I'm a former occupational therapist, so I've got a keen interest in keeping musicians able to play pain-free!

[@ealfredson]

Ive been listening to bluegrass for over 50 years, and NEVER EVER played a lick. Even had a bluegrass band at my wedding 45 years ago... A friend loaned me a dobro a couple months ago, and two friends have given me 3 free 90 minute lessons, It is SO CHALLENGING to me as I have ZERO music theory knowledge, and no musical ear. But Ill keep trying... You have no idea how dificult this is for someone like me.

[@AbbieGardnerdobrosinger]

hang in there Eric. Start with something slow and give it some time. Nobody starts out good at dobro!