Lap steel guitar

The lap steel guitar is a string instrument played horizontally with a metal slide, essential to Hawaiian country and electric blues sounds.

About this subject

The lap steel guitar, also known as Hawaiian guitar, differs from conventional guitars by being played horizontally on the player's lap using a metal slide (bar) that glides over the strings. Unlike a standard guitar, it has no frets; pitch is determined by the bar's position, enabling characteristic glissandos and vibratos. The instrument gained popularity in the early 20th century, driven by Hawaiian musicians such as Joseph Kekuku, who is credited with developing the slide technique. In the 1930s and 1940s, the lap steel was adopted by blues and country musicians in the United States, becoming a precursor to the solid-body electric guitar.

Typically built with a solid wood body, the lap steel has a rectangular neck and can have 6, 8, or even 12 strings. Open tunings, such as G or D, are common, allowing easy chord formation with the slide. Musicians like Jerry Byrd, Santo & Johnny, and later David Gilmour (notably in "The Great Gig in the Sky") popularized its ethereal, plaintive tone. The lap steel directly influenced the development of the pedal steel guitar, which adds pedals and levers to change tuning during performance.

In Brazil, the lap steel is less common but appears in choro and instrumental music, with artists like Nenê and Zé Barbeiro. Technically, it demands precise control of bar pressure and string touch to avoid noise. A macro close-up of the instrument reveals details of the bridge, pickups, and metal bar, highlighting the artisanal craftsmanship. Beginners are advised to use a stainless steel bar and metal fingerpicks to achieve the characteristic Hawaiian attack.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The lap steel is played horizontally with a metal bar and has no pedals. The pedal steel is mounted on a stand and uses pedals and levers to change the tuning of strings during play, allowing more complex chord changes.

What are the most common tunings for lap steel?

Open tunings are predominant, especially G major (D-G-D-G-B-D) and D major (D-A-D-F#-A-D). E minor and A major tunings are also used depending on musical style.

Is it hard to learn lap steel guitar?

It requires practice to control the bar accurately and avoid buzzing. The lack of frets demands a trained ear for intonation, but the slide technique can be intuitive for guitar players. Online tutorials and courses are widely available.