Topmusicanswers
Steel guitar
| Three types of steel guitars: resonator, lap steel, pedal steel | |
| String instrument | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Hawaiian guitar, lap steel, pedal steel, console steel, kīkākila, Dobro |
| Classification | String instrument, flat picked or finger picked |
| Hornbostel–Sachs classification | (Composite chordophone) |
- What are the different types of steel guitars?
- What is a lap guitar called?
- What's the difference between a dobro and a lap steel?
- Can you play a lap steel guitar like a normal guitar?
What are the different types of steel guitars?
There are two main types of steel guitar: lap steel and pedal steel. A lap steel (sometimes referred to as non-pedal steel) is typically a short-scale, simple bodied, square-neck electric guitar with six or more strings.
What is a lap guitar called?
The lap steel guitar, also known as a Hawaiian guitar, is a type of steel guitar without pedals that is typically played with the instrument in a horizontal position across the performer's lap. ... The steel guitar was the first "foreign" musical instrument to gain a foothold in American pop music.
What's the difference between a dobro and a lap steel?
Dobro. Lap steel guitar has a plugged in electric sound, which also gives it a more sustained tone for playing single notes or chords. In Dobro a lot of your volume comes from your hands and how hard you're hitting the strings. In lap steel however, you can just adjust the volume for a lighter or louder sound.
Can you play a lap steel guitar like a normal guitar?
Having said that, you can certainly get close to a lap steel sound using a conventional guitar. You'll need a precise touch, to get solid enough contact with the strings, without pressing onto the frets. Lap steel players use open chord tunings such as D-G-D-G-B-D.
