Jerry Douglas: Dobro Basics and 3 Tunings For Resonator Guitar

[@waynerausch5002]

Jerry Douglas...a living legend.

[@rebelcat420]

Jerry is not only THE master of the instrument, he is a great guy as well. Definitely have a JD model Beard reso on my shortlist!

[@TonyBurke100]

Mine arrived just today she's so sweet to look at. It's just like starting out again. I was 11 and now I'm 68 and I'm all fired up just like I was back then. I've played slide on my electric guitars through the years but a dobro is a whole new adventure. It's an Epiphone and they seem to be doing well with their re-issued models. Months ago I purchased a Hummingbird and was so impressed that I thought I'd see what their Dobros are like, I'll get back to you on that.

[@davidhastings6071]

Always a treat to learn from Jerry Douglas not only about the Dobro, but about music making - and life!

[@Frijolero18]

Jerry is always the one person I think of when I think about the dobro. Awesome that Reverb got a video with him.

[@mbaker1295]

Out of no where I want a dobro, they sounds so damn great.

[@fiddlefolk]

Bar none, one of my favorite musicians in the world. The way he hears music and expresses that is all about great taste,touch and timing.

[@patrickgioia5335]

"bar none" .. hah you're "punny" ... ;)

[@fiddlefolk]

@@patrickgioia5335 Lol...I didn't realize the "Pun" in all of this when I wrote it. That's normal every day Texan speak.

[@lowellcalavera6045]

Saw Jerry on the American Masters tour in 1991...Had never heard of him, and it was an eye opener. Great to see he's still killing it.

[@tablature6121]

Failed to mention your start with Ricky Skaggs and Boone Creek, Jerry, as that was when I first took note -- Buddy's Bar-B-Q, Knoxville, TN, 1977. Ricky would always introduce you as the "greatest dobro player in the world," and, boy, was that ever an understatement, even back then. Greatest then, greatest now. Thanks for the video.

[@phil37918]

Heck yea. Right on. Boone Creek was killin' it back in the days at Buddy's BBQ. I heard some great music coming out of that place!!!!!! And yes....the GREATEST dobro player ever!!!

[@zchoniemiller1412]

Jerry Douglas is about Dobro like Earl Scruggs is about banjo. The best.

[@stefanobonoli8783]

His sound is jaw dropping! Fantastic!

[@scottlamb1111]

He’s known as the best dobro player in the world

[@coldroses5337]

I believe JD played on Dan Fogelbergs High Country Snows album in 1984 as well. Love all the AK & US big time. Monster player Cheers 🍷

[@SynthApprentice]

He used to own an old dobro Used to play it 'cross his knee I'd give ol' Curt my money And he'd play all day for me

[@bjkaboom]

.... AWESOME!!!.... Thanks for being out there!!!.... SFGS! Semper Fi Godspeed!

[@Snakefinger1000]

I purchased an Epiphone Dobro last week and I'm climbing the walls in eager anticipation of its delivery. I'm almost seventy but feel like I did when I was 10 and sweating on the trip to the guitar shop to pick up my first guitar. I had one many years ago but was forced to sell it for economic reasons.

[@spaldingpickers120]

One of my hero’s, the best there is on dobro, and my favorite instrument on Gods green earth hands down!

[@larrycavallucci3258]

The VERY BEST at his instrument than anyone I've ever heard. And the reason I wound up deciding to buy one. Got it from very fine family folks at Jackson Steel Gtr Co, as it also has their EDGE bender bridge on it, and therefore why I got it. The Edge bends three strings. Because of that, it is in E Tuning. I also got the three legs if I want that setup. BUT also now trying to figure out about using a Strap, hopefully a guitar strap, for it. GREAT Video. Thank YOU.

[@zicon4]

I could literally just listen to him strumming while moving that lever back and forth

[@reedcollins7783]

Just learning about this guy since I live in Warren. I play open D as my favorite. Excellent

[@cathynuytten798]

I discovered Jerry after my introduction to the Peterson’s dobro player Emmet Franz. He’s an excellent player too!

[@pearljameric]

From the bright sunny south to the war I was sent. Love that Alison Krauss Union station live album. So good!

[@zorbanongreco]

Wow amazing skills ! Great sounds too. Love the tuner changer thingy as well. Thanks man, gonna try your last tuning.

[@mikekaaks8501]

No need to introduce yourself Jerry, I've been loving your music for a good long time.

[@josephl684]

I was very surprised to see you did not mention playing with Tony Rice when you were mentioning the highlights of your career.

[@lauriefrancisco1084]

Thank you so much, Reverb, but most of all Jerry Douglas. I've been thinking hard lately of learning to play Dobro because I love the way it sings! If I'm able to follow through, I'm hoping having played bluegrass banjo will help with the right hand. However, I played by rote, so not particularly creative. Big unknown.

[@jgwimmer]

Jerry, I've played banjo since I was a teen, off and on, and when my mother passed away, I got her dobro. As soon as I heard you switch to D tuning and hit a couple of rifs, I heard "Boy who wouldn't hoe corn" !! Tell me that's the tuning you used for that wonderful song?

[@sonnyeast3862]

What a master of the steel

[@billtaylor4897]

Mike Aldridge Whooo Boy ! Jerry I loved your cover of Hey Joe... Thanks for this video buddy...

[@RobertMcEwen-kr9qc]

Dobro hero right there!

[@haywarddaryl]

I now have to one day own a doubleshot. Not cheap!

[@thirdwavefinance8154]

I like this video. 60% of the time, it works every time.

[@UpInSmokeHq]

oh my, this guitar sounds so nice

[@stephenbouchelle7706]

I wanted to learn, looked at YT videos of more affordable ones. I got the gretsch and I think it is great. I recommend it highly. If you play some guitar, and especially if you play around with open D or G slide, the dobro is easy to get started on. Not saying you (nor I) will ever be as good as Jerry Douglas.

[@LovesickBluesBoi]

Stephen, thanks for recommending the Gretsch. I own a Taylor GS Mini Rosewood, I've ordered the Grover extension nut for it, so I can start learning the dobro style. I play a lot in open D. I need to wait a couple of months before buying a actual dobro guitar, though, I'll ask for the Gretsch around the shops in Scotland. Cheers mate

[@stoneysdead689]

@@LovesickBluesBoi Hmm- I never thought about sticking a dobro nut on a regular guitar- I guess it would work though- just won't have the volume and projection of a resonator. I have a Johnson resonator that I want to shave the nut down on so I can fret notes as well as playing slide- I'm thinking a regular guitar nut will set the strings too low. Idk though- I might be able to just buy one the right thickness so I can keep my thicker, traditional dobro nut as is and use it later if I want. I've played regular 6 string for over 30 years now and tbh with you- the slide tuning I really like is open E . That way the bottom E stays the same and the top B and E stay the same- so moving around the neck stays the same. And- you have 3 major chords available- A, C, and D by just barring all six strings at the proper fret. And- if you've got your nut low enough to fret notes- you've got very easy access to minor chords as well- which means you can voice about any tune you want using simple triads. And- those triads put your hand in the right position to access the scale for that chord- which means you can come up with a run that slides into the chord and then just move that shape around the neck- it works on each chord the same. Rhett Schull does a great video on it- you should check it out if you're getting into slide.

[@rickbaker4571]

an absolute badass... hell of a nice guy, as well

[@billlowe6883]

Jerry Dobro on the Douglas. Rounder 0044 is excellent.

[@StephanieSmith-gf4vp]

so great! THANKS!

[@jamescarroll6954]

About the “Hawaiian” guitar: when I was in grade school, if you looked up “gullible” in the dictionary, you’d have found a picture of me. Case in point: a high school kid had me believing that the style using a slide was invented by people in the Molokai leper colony. He said that this technique allowed them to play even after the disease had made their fingers fall off.

[@walterkersting9922]

Saw an old boy with no left hand; he played the guitar, old lady playing the bass.

[@Mo-xx9gg]

That would be a "pictionary"!

[@lilhoss1]

What type of pickup system does he have on his Dobro? It sounds fantastic.

[@krimsworld]

Don't remember offhand, but he explains it all in his Rig Rundown. He uses a Fishman Aura for his outboard preamp, which is basically his signature model.

[@SamHooperGroup]

Sounds so sweet!

[@MartotheMartian]

Sounds great!

[@frankmurphyburr3598]

The master teaches

[@evilbumblebee667]

i have been playing around with a dobro i inherited from my dad... its a Clinesmith

[@jamespolucha6911]

I can’t play anything but love to listen to the slide and love the sound from a resonator guitar, what made Dwayne Allmans sound so distinctive ?

[@timbuk1126]

Well one thing that comes to mind is the fact that Duane was playing a Les Paul with an overdriven tone through Marshalls..

[@Womble1252]

Bare fingers for Allman too..he did play some round neck dobro at times on sessions..really worth a listen.

[@jamesdeanellis9903]

Hello! Mr. Jerry (J.D.) Douglas My name is James Dean Ellis aka (J.D. Ellis ). I have been a student of all hand-held stringed instruments for the last 50 years, so from one J.D. to another J.D. I have a few Q&A I would like to ask you LOL :P (Please and Thank You!) #1: What is the make and model of the Black Acoustic Electric Resonator Guitar that you used in this video demo? #2: I am in want and need of adding an Acoustic-Electric Resonator Guitar aka (Dobro) to my instrument collection. #3: Most all the Acoustic Resonator Guitars I have looked at and considered in my research shopping are Acoustic Resonator Guitars only. P.S.S. Where as I am specifically looking for an ((Acoustic (Electric) Resonator Guitar)) to add to my On Stage Live Music Instruments and Equipment set up of a mix of both Acoustic Electric Guitars 6 &12 string, and 4, 5, and 6 string Acoustic/Electric Bass Guitars, with Uropeian long neck and North American short neck Mandalins, and Uropeian Violins aka North American Fiddles, and American 4 & 5 string Banjos. 4: #As a personal preference, I prefer the feel and sound of acoustic stringed instruments. I have found that the electric pick-up systems are a very impressive boost and a boon to both my studio recording/editing and my live music performances on stage, especially for the larger venus that requires additional sound volume output of miced amplifiers and or in-line type into my Public Address (P.A.) & Multi Channel Audio Mixer Systems.

[@michaelkiese7794]

3 Tunings...(low to high) 1. G-B-D-G-B-D great for bluegrass. 0:22 and 3:08 2. D-A-D-F#-A-D great for blues. 4:36 3. E-B-D-G-B-D. 5:45

[@user-im3bb8gd9z]

Jerry, Seems to me that you only really told us the actual 6 strings (and what each one is) for the GBDGBD "G" tuning. The title of your segment says it's 3 tunings...... I'll listen again (but may only get more frustrated. I'll try'n relax. Thanks. Some really cool slide work....

[@kolumbijcan]

dopjera brothers from Slovakia

[@trevormckinnon6696]

I don't play dobro. But, in the open G tuning, can one tune the B down to Bb so you can get minor chords and depress with a finger on string to get B and major chords? You could still use the slide while doing this

[@CharlesLewis422]

Jerry could play the phonebook & have it sound Magnificent!

[@ohioguy215]

Absolutely. He can tune your shoe strings and play a song.

[@duaneulman9915]

Thank you

[@philipgreen1223]

Thank you.

[@mertozelmusic]

Jerry Douglas Band & John Hiatt...

[@konstkaras]

"Dobro" means "kindness" in Russian

[@kojot7453]

``kindness`` and ``good`` in Serbian

[@Auspexel]

And "double" in Portuguese!

[@zorbanongreco]

What do they know of kindness ?

[@brianstoltz2838]

Nice Jerry.

[@markkeneson6806]

I want to try a D13 tuning on an 8 string Dobro, D F# A C E G B D from low to high.

[@jamesmorrison2063]

I just got my first resonator guitar. It's a round neck. I already want a square neck. Do I have to use finger picks? I have fake fiberglass fingernails like James Taylor's. Thumb and 3 fingers. I should get some cheap picks to see if they interfere with my fake nails. I see Jerry uses a thumb and 2 fingerpicks like banjo players. There is a common thread...Bluegrass! I like the effects on whatever's he's plugged into. He sure can play!

[@scottlamb1111]

They make a raised nut for them to make them playable like a square neck

[@jamesmorrison2063]

@@scottlamb1111 Yes, I have one on my resonator. It works pretty good. I'm just wondering if the "bridge/saddle" is high enough? The top of the resonator seems too close to the strings. I hit the pan with my picks once in a while.

[@scottlamb1111]

@@jamesmorrison2063 you probably need a different saddle the bridge of the body they make various sizes

[@jamesmorrison2063]

@@scottlamb1111 Thanks Scott for the info. I think I'll just get a square neck resonator. I can probably trade this Gold Tone Paul Beard round neck in as I'm not that much into blues. I would just buy one outright, but am looking for a 000-28 Martin for finger picking. Cheers, and thanks again!

[@scottlamb1111]

@@jamesmorrison2063 I recommend the Morgan Monroe square neck msq100sb absolutely great sound and a beautiful piece of work

[@basvredeling]

“To start playing a resophonic guitar you need a Chewbacca mask.”

[@lapsteelguy]

Do you have any suggestions for 8 string resonator guitar tunings? For many years, I have tuned my 8 string McKenna to an Em7/G6 tuning EGBDEGBD . I made that up myself when I first got the McKenna about 15 years ago. The idea was to keep the GBDGBD while adding the Es to give minor chords without needing to angle the bar. I needed that because I am disabled and cannot angle the bar. Now I want to try something else.

[@Roughcore4u]

I’ve seen people use DGDGBD And GBDGBD Any suggestions, which would be more suitable to play with, through your opinions?

[@flytod5272]

GBDGBD is the standard for lap style dobro. the 5th in the bass is better suited for open G on standard guitar

[@TheKffb]

that open G with the E string sounds good as fuck Jerry

[@renebleu3542]

Wonderfuf !... Could you please remember your 3 tuning ? (because I am not - sorry - full fluent in english)...

[@troyvinson2655]

Fantastic info from a master. But I have been a bit distracted wanting to see if what looks like a painting of the great Bob Ross behind him, is indeed a painting of the great Bob Ross.

[@walterkersting6238]

Really it’s the open g tuning that makes that tone, if you want to experiment with any guitar just put a pencil under the strings up against the nut ( the last fret before the headstock) to raise the strings and use a bottle,3/4 deep socket, glass, whatever.

[@larry573]

wow ...i never saw one of these....on the list

[@dged492]

No mention of the Jerry Douglas OMI Gibson model he endorsed. Wonder why!

[@paulw.woodring7304]

So, am I getting an inkling that either he is no longer going to be part of AKUS, or that in-fact Alison has totally moved on and is no longer going to record again with Union Station? As far as I can find on the net, nothing has been officially said, but it's going on ten years since "Paper Airplane" was released.

[@michelsavoie6971]

I tune like the last tuning on a Gretch Historic series.

[@sagesliverpinksage834]

Do the weekend on synth sounds mane

[@andrewdelgallo5552]

where us best place to purchase the one with the hip-hop bender

[@robertflagg2461]

There are people as good as Jerry ,but he's like Earl , the master of their instument,no matter who copys or comes after them.Clarence, Tony Doc, Norman Blake,Dan Crary,Pat Flynn,all had their own styke,but Clarene White really started this Bluegrass lead guitar.

[@chandraiyer1710]

This is like the mohana veena instrument

[@mikebastiat]

Weird, I always tuned open g as DGDGBD. He does GBDGBD. What the hell...

[@actionsub]

Your G tuning is called "low bass G tuning". Jerry uses "high bass G tuning" which for bluegrass dobro players is a standard tuning. Just two different ways of doing things.

[@kenz5469]

I like open C..

[@danalexanderaudio8506]

A km54 is a nice mic for a dobro.... :)

[@w.l.graves7228]

nice jerry , but what about playing with SIR Tony Rice??!! who i will always associate you with , as the first name i think of !

[@kiereluurs1243]

I had no idea...

[@djreag8614]

FLUX #1

[@hankigoe829]

3:10 g tuning

[@jorhay1]

I was so excited to learn the ‘basics’. I watched the intro, then I quit..

[@cannotsay5505]

If Jerry failed to mention he is the greatest Dobro player of all time, give him a minute he will...LOL...yeah I kinda agree

[@ModernMusicMasters]

Jerry's Instructional Course: www.mmmlearn.com/courses/jerry-douglas-resophonic-guitar

[@Ruffneck2738]

How do I make this instrument cry? Like in the country songs

[@raymondklassen]

Dobro is used in some country, but the crying sound usually comes from the pedal steel guitar.

[@MrPatdeeee]

@@raymondklassen Or a regular steel guitar; like Little Roy Wiggins or Jerry Byrd played. May Jesus rest their precious souls. Examples: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3bEhKeshpyXbac kzbin.info/www/bejne/hp2zl39tapqpfZY

[@actionsub]

Go high up on the fretboard close to the body. It's those high notes and slide that make that crying sound.

[@mikebastiat]

Hmm. To me. Open G sounds much better as DGDGBD. But I guess Jerry knows what he is talking about..

[@oldtimetinfoilhatwearer]

It works a lot better for bluegrass because the intervals are smaller, so you don't have to move so far for more range. The standard guitar open g works better for blues because you have low drone notes. Think Alan Wilson or R.L. burnside

[@mikebastiat]

@@oldtimetinfoilhatwearer Yeah..I've always played blues slide, so I'm trying to get used to dobro G.

[@MrPatdeeee]

What a kind, humble man! Wow! No wonder Jesus has "gifted" him with innate talents from Heaven, that very few have. May Jesus continue to bless this man always. Wow!

[@solarguy1324]

3:33 before I actually heard any music from the guitar! Half of the post before I heard anything!

[@dillonhawkins8713]

I swear it sounded like was playing an Alison Krauss song when he started

[@clawhammer704]

Fast thumb

[@gaylewatkins1221]

Martin gross