Lap Steel Lesson 4 - the 4 chord and the 5 chord

[@GoingBadger-1]

After a few decades of playing guitar I was motivated to learn lap steel via Larkin Poe. I'm not a huge fan of dobro style playing, but love the overdriven lap's rock/blues capabilities. Now having their KZbins to watch, I started learning in open G like Megan uses, and was a little disappointed after discovering YOUR channel that you were using Open D, thinking I couldn't glean much from your lessons. Man, was I wrong. I've gotten SO much just by you describing your own approach to the lap... hell, I don't care WHAT someone's chosen instrument is, there's a ton of value to be gotten out of your videos about practicing, having fun, developing your own style, using your ear, etc.etc. Honestly, I don't usually have my lap on me trying to play along with your lessons, I just absorb and apply what you talk about before I even plug in. We're definitely in the same tribe in our approach to learning an instrument, thanks for reminding me what it's all about. It's not all modes, scales, picks, circle of 5th, and string gauges... it's about not being able to walk past your instrument without picking it up.

[@richsackett3423]

You know, you're going to get me to do it. I've wanted to make a lap steel for quite a while and cannot let someone with that many pedals upstage me.

[@Jones9guitars]

I'm learning more from these lessons about actually playing than all the books and courses I've had. Thank you and keep it up.

[@MattBradfordmusic]

Awesome! More to come, eventually!

[@markwentland3147]

I like how you teach for sure Matt, i also like troy to !!

[@MattBradfordmusic]

Thanks!!!

[@kentlindsaymusic]

This is really enjoyable - nice pace and tons of great tips! and really funny in places. I hope you don't get burned out, keep going!

[@davidcarbacio9720]

Thanks for creating these lessons, Matt. This approach is unique, but seems to me a very natural way of gaining familiarity with the fretboard. It's working for me anyway.

[@MattBradfordmusic]

Glad you dig it!!!

[@edgould6515]

Matt is the best! Thanks for everything you taught me, brother!

[@MattBradfordmusic]

thank YOU man. I hope you're well!!!

[@edgould6515]

@@MattBradfordmusic All is well, brother! I miss you! Come on back to NorCal for a visit!!!

[@junkboxguitars2461]

Some of the most helpful, inspiring, instructional and ,most importantly, uncomplicated teaching I have seen on KZbin! Brilliant teaching… thank you so much from a 70 yr old who knows lotsa **hit, but have learnt SO MUCH watching your videos…. Especially the supreme importance of groove. Thank you soooo much!

[@mrbriandrake]

Thank's for sharing your technique and inspiration Matt, really appreciate all you do !

[@MattBradfordmusic]

My pleasure!

[@johnnybisone3596]

Im so happy you made this. Thank you homie.

[@MattBradfordmusic]

Glad you dug it!

[@lumptonk4394]

Enjoyed, great info and great lesson

[@kentlindsaymusic]

Look at you. hahahaha best tip of this segment! (10:00) so true!

[@MattBradfordmusic]

One of the most life changing revelations I've had. And at freakin 40 years old....

[@kingsx925]

Great stuff Matt. I love your Instagram channel, had no idea you here on youtube. Even though I'm a bass player, your music inspires me! Keep up the good work! Keep supporting the W's and Niners!!

[@MattBradfordmusic]

Thanks dude! Glad you're here!

[@electriglider]

Hey Matt, I just had my wife help me find my Lap steel guitar in the attic. It had a terrible hum when I plugged it into the amp. I took it apart and found the filter cap grounded. Fixed that and it plays awesome. It looks like a Gibson EH-185 as far as I can tell but all I care about is it plays. I put one of my E strings from my Fender Strat to see what it sounded like. I use light strings on the Strat so figured the lap steel would use medium?? What size strings do you recommend for the open D? I ordered some - Flat Wound - D’Addario Chromies - ECG25 - sizes 12-52. I can’t wait to start working on my Groove!! Your videos are really inspiring and helpful. I hope you keep making videos, they are really helping me. Thank you sir!!

[@MattBradfordmusic]

Congrats! I use John Pearse #3000. I have always found chromes too dull, and prefer round wound myself. But there's no right way, just your way!!!

[@4425evergreen]

new sub here... love the lap steel stuff!

[@g-man7687]

Good lesson thank you

[@pauldreyer7342]

yep know that 12 bar blues from the jack,acdc,i think your shirt was the hint lol

[@woopa66]

Hey Matt! How about throwing in some tempo recommendations?

[@MattBradfordmusic]

I would say grab any tempo that feels good. If you're looking for a number, there's a lot of apps that let you tap and it will give you the tempo. Find a song you like, and start there!

[@Ellisfamily9]

Hi Matt, you are a badass slide player! I have been playing guitar for a looooong time and recently started to learn lap steel mostly from you! I have also been working on guitars for a while. I was wondering if I could copy your lap steel design. I have a beautiful 80 year old piece of mahogany that i want to use. Any chance I could get some drawings and specs? A fan of yours, Scott Ellis

[@graysaw]

I just noticed you only have frets on like the 3rd 5th 7 th 9th? & 12th!

[@MattBradfordmusic]

I have lines at each fret. I only have dots on those frets though. Probably just the way the light is hitting the instrument.

[@graysaw]

10th fret right? Not 9th

[@MattBradfordmusic]

@@graysaw 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, just like a guitar