Thumbstyle Dobro

Roy Thomson · Post by **Roy Thomson** » 9 Jul 2001 11:45 am

I have been experimenting with an original
Atkins/Travis style arrangement for dobro.
Using the straight "G" Bluegrass tuning
(DBGDBG) I did a recording of the tune
"Dobro Fingers"here in my home studio to-day.
Would like to get some feedback so if anyone is on this wavelength email me and I will send you a sound file.
Roy T.

Chris Walke · Post by **Chris Walke** » 11 Jul 2001 7:07 am

Have you listened to Kelly Joe Phelps? Does a whole lotta thumbstyle, not on Dobro, but on regular acoustic played lap style. May be inspiring for you. He tunes to open D.

David Siegler · Post by **David Siegler** » 11 Jul 2001 1:03 pm

Hey Folks,

Roy's playing is beautiful and unusual. Definitely worth a listen!

David<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by David Siegler on 11 July 2001 at 02:03 PM.]</p></FONT>

Paul Crawford · Post by **Paul Crawford** » 12 Jul 2001 7:22 am

I summed up my reaction in a single word... WOW!!!

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 12 Jul 2001 9:32 am

Nice job on this tune, Roy! The hard part of this style is keeping that bass part rock steady and Roy pulls it off beautifully.

Roy Thomson · Post by **Roy Thomson** » 12 Jul 2001 7:24 pm

Thank you for your kind and encouraging comments Dave, Paul, Andy. I am glad to share with you. I get a lot from the Forum and this is my way of putting something back in.
I am going to be away for a few days doing a playing engagement with my son Tom but if anyone else wants my file just email and I will get to it next week.
Roy T.

Roy Thomson · Post by **Roy Thomson** » 19 Jul 2001 12:18 am

Hi Jeffstro and thanks for the email too.
I can tab the tune and maybe will try to do that as time permits.
That is the quickest way to learn this style... because by using tab you don't have to think as playing two guitar parts at once. It is all one playing exercise.

After the thumb is trained you no longer need the tab and can learn other tunes on your own. I love the style and of course was influenced by Chet Atkins. I studied transcripts of some of his music, both regular music notation and tab publications, learning them first on standard guitar and then transposing to steel. This has also resulted in me writing a few tunes for the Dobro.
Glad you liked this latest one and thanks again.

Roy T.