Lap steel guitar

The lap steel guitar, also known as Hawaiian guitar, is a string instrument played horizontally with a metal or glass slide.

About this subject

The lap steel guitar is a stringed instrument played horizontally, resting on the player's lap. Instead of pressing strings against frets, the player slides a metal or glass bar (called a steel) along the strings, altering their vibrating length and thus the pitch. This technique allows smooth glissandos and a distinctive sound with sustain and microtonal nuances.

The instrument originated in Hawaii in the late 19th century, after Portuguese immigrants brought the braguinha (a small guitar-like instrument). Hawaiians adapted it, creating the lap steel style. In the early 1900s, Hawaiian music became a craze in the mainland USA, and the lap steel was adopted by country and blues musicians. In the 1930s, Rickenbacker introduced the first solid-body electric guitar, which was actually a lap steel, the famous "frying pan."

The lap steel was crucial in the evolution of the electric guitar and influenced genres such as country, blues, rock, and jazz. Notable players include Jerry Byrd (master of the Hawaiian style), David Lindley (who played with Jackson Browne and Ry Cooder), and Ben Harper (using it on songs like "Steal My Kisses"). The technique also evolved into the more complex pedal steel guitar, a staple in country music.

Today, the lap steel is cherished in traditional Hawaiian, folk, Americana, and experimental music. Its sound evokes nostalgia and a touch of the exotic, bridging Pacific musical traditions and rural American blues. Typically made of solid wood or with a hollow body, it often has 6 or 8 strings with adjustable tuners for different scales.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between lap steel and pedal steel?

Lap steel is played with a sliding bar and has no pedals; the player adjusts tuning manually. Pedal steel has pedals and levers that change string tuning during play, allowing more complex chords and transitions.

Is lap steel easy to learn?

It requires practice to coordinate the bar movement and picking, but basic technique can be learned in a few weeks. The main challenges are tuning and controlling vibrato with the slide.

Which musical styles use lap steel?

It is widely used in Hawaiian music, country, blues, rock, folk, and even jazz and experimental music. Its sound is melodic and nostalgic.