Lap steel guitar

The lap steel guitar is a string instrument played horizontally with a slide, essential in Hawaiian and American country music.

About this subject

The lap steel guitar, also known as the Hawaiian steel guitar, is a stringed instrument played horizontally on the player's lap, using a metal bar (steel) to slide across the strings and change pitch. Unlike a standard guitar, it has no frets, and the player uses fingerpicks to pluck or strum. Its origins trace back to the late 19th century in Hawaii, where Portuguese guitars were adapted to a sliding technique, producing the characteristic glissando sound. Hawaiian musician Joseph Kekuku is often credited as a pioneer around 1885, using a piece of metal.

The instrument gained popularity in the United States in the early 20th century, especially with Hawaiian music becoming a national craze. By the 1920s, the lap steel was adopted into country music, with artists like Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family. Eventually, it evolved into the pedal steel guitar, but the lap steel remains relevant in blues, rock, and jazz. Notable players include Jerry Douglas, David Lindley, and Ben Harper.

Lap steel guitars are typically tuned to open chords, such as open E or open G, allowing full chords with the slide. Technique involves vibrato, slides, and precise bends, requiring fine control of bar pressure and angle. Variations include 6-string and 8-string models, with 8-strings common among professionals. The instrument's ethereal, mournful tone is often associated with Hawaiian landscapes and American heartland imagery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a lap steel guitar and a pedal steel guitar?

A lap steel guitar is held on the lap and the player manually controls the bar, while a pedal steel guitar has pedals and levers that change the tuning of individual strings, allowing for more complex chords and quick key changes. The lap steel is simpler and portable; the pedal steel is usually mounted on a stand.

What are the most common tunings for lap steel guitar?

Common open tunings for 6-string lap steel are open E (E-B-E-G#-B-E) and open G (D-G-D-G-B-D). For 8-string, C6 (C-E-G-A-C-E) or A6 (E-A-C#-E-A-C#) are popular. The choice depends on musical genre and player preference.

Which music genres use the lap steel guitar?

Originally central to Hawaiian and American country music, the lap steel is also used in blues, rock (especially psychedelic rock and roots rock), folk, jazz, indie, and experimental music. Artists like Ry Cooder and Ben Harper have brought it into contemporary contexts.