Uploaded August 2011 | Updated September 2026, 8 hours ago
A Lloyd classic. This is flavored a litle different than a couple others I have shown you. You pick string 4 at fret 9, then slide up 3 frets to the 12th fret, picking the 5th string with pedal A down. It's important to play the notes with attack, loud and clear, with feeling, like you're taking control of the song and guitar. Notice that I pick strings 5 at the 10th fret afterwards and roll it back to fret 9. This is such a beautiful technique to learn. String 4 is the same pitch note on fret 9 (which is a C# note here) as is string 5 with A pedal down on the 12th fret (a C# note). By sliding up to the next higher equal note, you are reaching out on your guitar for something higher and the soul of your listener is also taken higher. This is inspiring music if your tone is good. The best playing in the world means nothing if your tone is bad. I've heard some great steel playing totally ruined by crappy equipment. Beware of digital effects processing units. They're ok if you know what you're doing, but they'll MUDDY your performance very easily. You want you steel guitar crisp and alive, strong with bass, sharp with bite. At least that's me. If you want to sound muddied and mellow, that's ok.
Also notice that I move my bar forward at 0:06 and pick that 1st string. Many players ignore that 1st string. Consider it your friend. That 1st string will enhance your music chord and open a new world of ideas.
Also, if you avoid lowering string 2 a half tone due to a lousy half stop, you're missing out. Lloyd does a lot of stuff by lowering string 2 only a half tone. For years I avoided lowering string 2 a half because my guitar just didn't have a good feel stop and my chords were alwats off. I'm just now realizing all that I misses. For example... lower string 2 a half tone and press pedals B and C down, picking strings 2,4 and 6. What a cool chord!!! Lloyd uses this a lot.
A Lloyd classic. This is flavored a litle different than a couple others I have shown you. You pick string 4 at fret 9, then slide up 3 frets to the 12th fret, picking the 5th string with pedal A down. It's important to play the notes with attack, loud and clear, with feeling, like you're taking control of the song and guitar. Notice that I pick strings 5 at the 10th fret afterwards and roll it back to fret 9. This is such a beautiful technique to learn. String 4 is the same pitch note on fret 9 (which is a C# note here) as is string 5 with A pedal down on the 12th fret (a C# note). By sliding up to the next higher equal note, you are reaching out on your guitar for something higher and the soul of your listener is also taken higher. This is inspiring music if your tone is good. The best playing in the world means nothing if your tone is bad. I've heard some great steel playing totally ruined by crappy equipment. Beware of digital effects processing units. They're ok if you know what you're doing, but they'll MUDDY your performance very easily. You want you steel guitar crisp and alive, strong with bass, sharp with bite. At least that's me. If you want to sound muddied and mellow, that's ok.
Also notice that I move my bar forward at 0:06 and pick that 1st string. Many players ignore that 1st string. Consider it your friend. That 1st string will enhance your music chord and open a new world of ideas.
Also, if you avoid lowering string 2 a half tone due to a lousy half stop, you're missing out. Lloyd does a lot of stuff by lowering string 2 only a half tone. For years I avoided lowering string 2 a half because my guitar just didn't have a good feel stop and my chords were alwats off. I'm just now realizing all that I misses. For example... lower string 2 a half tone and press pedals B and C down, picking strings 2,4 and 6. What a cool chord!!! Lloyd uses this a lot.
