Topic: instrumental bottleneck practice session

[harriet]

Just being brave and posting an instrumental bottleneck session practice - not much of a singer:(.!

[Johnm]

You're getting a nice big tone, Harriet, and your intonation with the slide sounds good, too.  Keep up the good work!
All best,
Johnm

[harriet]

Thanks so much John:)

[Mike Brosnan]

Ditto what John said... Sounds great!

[Parlor Picker]

Great sound. Keep 'em trimmed and burnin'!

[blueshome]

Nice! But keep that thumb going.

[harriet]

Thanks for comments. Suggestions "noted"!:)

[Pan]

I liked how your slide lines have a singing quality.

Cheers

Pan

[harriet]

Thanks Pan:)

[orvillej]

One suggestion I would make is, when playing single note lines without the thumb going, try resting your thumb on the 6th or 5th string rather than having it float in the air. It will damp some of the ringing and give you a different kind of leverage with your index picking that can add some power and depth to the single-note tone. It allows you to use different angles of the picking finger with more precision, adding tonal dynamics. Same with your middle finger - if it's not picking, rest it on the first string. It'll help you quiet errant notes you might hit unintentionally with the slide as you're picking on the inside strings with your index.

I noticed you moved your thumb closer to the bridge at a point when you were picking single notes with your thumb. Good idea. There's a world of dynamics between the bridge and the end of the fingerboard and it's wise to take advantage of it. Nicely done.

[harriet]

Hi Orville,

Thanks for taking a listen and taking the time to post. Resting on unused strings is a technique I should know and have available if I need it so thanks for bringing it to my attention. I just got your lesson on slide on Jamplay lst week, so I could see how you go about things, so I will pay attention to the techniques you use. Just checking out "trouble in mind" it looks like you use it where applicable.

[Mr.OMuck]

You have a great sound already Harriet and a good instinct for how its supposed to sound. My only suggestion, abstract expressionist that I am, would be to allow yourself to get a little looser with it and swing your whole right arm. Take a look at Bukka White as an example. Also one of the things I like to do to push things along is to play at silly speeds that I can't possibly maintain, i find it both extremely funny and useful in finding the strong and weak spots and pushing things along. You should also sing cause it feels good.

[harriet]

Hi Mr. O'Muck,

Thanks for your kind words - lots of things to think about in your post and thanks as well for that:)