Hawaiian Steel Guitar

A Simple Chord Based Tutor For Learning Steel Guitar Played With a Sliding Steel Bar.

	THE PICK The Strings are picked with the fingers of the right hand, the first and second strings are picked with the 1st and 2nd fingers, the third, fourth, fifth and sixth strings are picked with the thumb. The above is the Hawaiian method, but a more simple and effective method is to use the thumb in picking the 4th 5th- and 6th strings, the 3rd string with the Ist or index finger, the 2nd string with the 2nd finger and the Ist string with the 3rd finger. Do not use the little finger as a guard by resting it on the Sound Board of the^Guitar as it detardes effective fingering. In a very short time by resting the upper part of the wrist on the lower edge of the Guitar you will acquire the gage of the positions of the fingers to pick the strings. The hand is held in a curved position striking the strings with the ball ends of the fingers over the Sound Hole. As a general rule brass or nickle thimbles are used on the fingers and a brass or tortoise shell thumb pick. By using these thimbles and thumb picks a more brilliant tone is produced.
	TO TUNE
	The Steel Guitar is generally tuned to a high pitch to get the brilliant effect and for the benefit of those that have played the regular Guitar in the Spanish key with the 3r-d string tuned to G. All that is necessary is to tune the Guitar one whole note higher this making the following Hawaiian method of tuning under which the instructions in this book are given. Tune the 3rd string to A in unison with A (above Middle C on the piano) or to an "A" tuning pipe or fork, then press 3rd string down on 4th fret and tune 2nd in unison (C#) then press 2nd string down on 3rd fret and tune 1st string in unison (E) then tune 4th string in unison with Ist string one octave lower (E), then 5th string in unison with 3rd string one octave lower (A), then 6th string in unison with 4th string one octave lower (E). Making as follows :
	THE POSITION OF HOLDING THE GUITAR Sit on a straight chair with both feet on the floor, chair must not be too high, lay Guitar on lap with head or finger-board at the left hand. The top end of the Guitar toward the finger-board resting against the inside of the left leg, the lower part of the body of the Guitar resting on the right leg pressed close to the body.