I sometimes get asked to play lap steel for recordings live gigs etc and I´ve had some requests to show what I typically do… I recorded this stuff for my fingerstyle guitar version of Eagles´ Lyin´ Eyes (also added mandolin and bass). Gear: 1930´s(?) Supertone lap steel in open E tuning (which I paid approx. $600 for in Sweden) Jim Dunlop steel bar (925) Jim Dunlop medium thumbpick Played through a Line6 POD XT (old meets new!) If there´s any interest I´ll tab it. www.tallstrom.com

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25 thoughts on “Playing lap steel (some instruction)”

  1. NorthWriter
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    I love it! Nothing too complicated, but it makes SUCH a difference to the song. Looks like you use a thumb pick…do you use finger picks too, or just grow your nails longer?

    I have a 6-string lap steel with legs (it’s the cheap Rogue one that goes for $100). I love it, and got a volume pedal for it as well. It’s great for that pedal steel sound when you can’t afford $800 for a Sho-Bud. 🙂 I’ve been using C6 and E6 tunings and I’ve found it to be a very versatile tuning!

  2. Lapsteelz
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    Very nice, very nice indeed! Love the way you arranged the backing.
    Pete

  3. ilapsteel
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    ilapsteel is an amazing new site that I found that has Some chords and scale fretboard maps in ebook form. check it out. I emailed the site and was they will come out with entire collections for all the various tunings in clear fretboard maps. You can even submit ideas via email for your own customize tuning fretboard map.

    ilapsteel

    check it out

  4. Guitarbque
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    Amazing!!! Beautiful !!!! I’m new @ Lap-love this vid! Thank you!!

  5. Izzy Matt
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    Thanks pino, Ive been playing slide for a while and was keen to learn lap steel; your tutorial helped me out lots thanks

  6. xolasocarteiro
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    Truly very good!! You have a great sense of timing and you don’t overdo it… Congrats!!

  8. Craig Cummings
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    lovely sound. Is all the swell created with the volume knob or are you using a pedal?

  9. mrsullyrox
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    did u ever get an answer to your question? i too am looking as i just started to play one- an 8 that is

  11. Martin Schaefer
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    Thanks for posting – we just played together (you and me) for about 15 Minutes (I backed u up on a 8 sting Gibson consolette, C6 tuning) Very nice tune and playing

  12. Philip Kennedy
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    Wonder how the likes of you and Ronnie Wood got so good at this type of playing?

  13. Beedubyayardee
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    Very cool. Thanks very much for posting. Learned a lot in 2 minutes!

  14. Greig Allen
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    Hey great video!

    I’m just learning how to play lap steel and could you send me a tab of this video?

    Doesn’t need to be acurate just something i gan get started?

  15. Martin Tallstrom
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    Hi, what string gauges do you use? I think I currently have something like 015-058 for the open E tuning. I´m not really familiar with the 8-string…
    Your G#BG#B, are they the same notes doubled, or?
    Later
    Martin

  16. Rob Lamb
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    Hi – when I tune my (8 string) lap steel to EBEG#BG#BE – the strings feel too tight and often snap. Hope you don’t mind me asking but what am I doing wrong? R.

  18. pinkfloydrule27
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    lap steel playing is really fun, your technique is much better than mine i tend to just cheat and use a volume pedal and a normal guitar pick, your technique sounded really great thats certainly something to aspire to

  21. Mathieu Gaubal
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    thanks for your demonstration !! i like so much your presentation video ^^

    keepin’ slide music  =p

  22. mcbollock
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    Hi Mertin – well, I’m sitting here just outside Bristol, TN and your video has decided me that Monday before I fly back to CA I’m going into Moorstown and buy me a Morrell 6-string lap steel guitar. I’ve been playing guitar for a LONG time but I’m as excited as a teenager about learning lap steel – thanks for the inspiration.
    Luke

  23. Martin Tallstrom
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    Hi Jeff, thank you!
    Since I mostly play guitar I haven´t been trying so many other tunings than open E. I do cheat on some squareneck dobro where I tend to use GBDGBD or open D.
    Do you have any favorite tunings (if you play)?
    Cheers
    Martin

  24. JSM121054
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    Hello, beautifully done, what tuning do you find yourself playing in or using the most, on the lap steel,
    Thank’s
    "Jeff in Cleveland"

  25. Martin Tallstrom
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    Hi, thanks!
    It´s an open E-tuning, from low to high:
    EBEG#BE
    like E major on guitar.

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