Last month we got started in the Key of D, learning scale positions and some tips on playing in tune. We'll learn some more licks this month in both closed and open positions, including some fancy hammer-on and pull-off licks.

If we're looking to do hammer-on or pull-off licks in a major key, we first need to make sure the open strings work in the chosen key; if the open strings don't sound good, we can't incorporate them into licks. To find out, we just need to see if the major scale we're working with has some or all of the open string notes: G, B, and D. Let's look at the notes of our D major scale. If we "Do-re-mi" our major scale beginning on a D note, we'd get:

Our resonator guitars are tuned to a G major chord, or GBDGBD. Notice that G, B, and D are in the D major scale written above - this means that all of the open strings work in the key of D. Remember too that G is our IV-chord in the key of D. If the entire G chord works in the key of D, the individual notes of that chord are also good.

Following that idea, let's find the notes of the V-chord in the Key of D, that is- the A chord. In G tuning, the A chord is found along the 2nd fret of the resonator guitar. The notes of an A chord are A, C#, and E, which are likewise part of the D major scale. So, along the entire 2nd fret, you'll find three more notes that are part of the D major scale. Again, the A chord works great in the Key of D, so the individual notes of that chord can all be used. It's all very convenient!

So far, we've learned that the notes sounded by the open strings and all of the notes at the second fret are in the D major scale. This in turn means that the open strings and 2nd fret make for good hammer-on and pull-off territory in the key of D, and that with no capo the key of D is a great resonator guitar key. The only D major scale note that we can't find on an open string or the 2nd fret is the F#, which is easily found on the 4th fret of the D strings. Add the B strings/3rd fret, which are D notes, to your overview of D major as well.

I probably could have skipped the long explanation and simply said that the open strings and the notes at the 2nd fret are great in the key of D, but I wanted to take you through the thought process so you'll be equipped to figure out other keys on your own. So, now that we have our basic "note palette" for the key of D within the first 4 frets, let's learn some licks that make use of these notes.

Here's a common lick that has two consecutive pull-offs and ends on an A note. This lick can be used over a D chord, an A chord, or a Bm chord- and probably other chords if you get creative.

There's no single agreed-upon way to do a pull-off on the resonator guitar, but for now you probably want to actually pluck the string with the tip of your bar. To do this, keep the bar relatively flat, position the tip of the bar on the desired string, and bring your entire hand back while keeping pressure on the tip of the bar. The technique is actually more of a "pull-back" than a pull-off. The tip of the bar can come to rest on the next lowest string. By the way, bullet-tipped (rounded bars typically used for pedal or lap-steel) are not ideal for doing pull-offs. For this style, a bar with beveled ends and sharp corners is best. Scheerhorn, Lap Dawg, Bradley, EG Smith, and GS are some good brands for executing the pull-off technique.

Here's the same lick with a slide to the F# (high string/4th fret) and a pull-off added in front:

Some of the fancier resonator guitar licks you've heard are "cascading" licks, which go high, descend, go back up part way, and then descend some more. The technique is easier to play than to describe! This one begins with a hammer-on:

When doing a hammer-on, tip the bar a bit. Make sure the tip of the bar is contacting only the desired string and not slamming on other strings. Maintain some economy of motion; that is, don't lift your barring hand too far off the fretboard before doing the hammer-on. In fact, many players try to keep a finger (your little finger, behind the bar) in contact with the nut or the lower strings when doing hammer-ons.

Now that we've learned some of what we can do near the nut with open strings, hammer-ons and pull-offs, we should also find some specific licks to play around the D chord at the 7th fret. You may wish to review my Guitar Sessions articles from April and May of 2007, which offered many C licks based around the 5th fret. You can transpose those same licks to the key of D by merely moving everything up 2 frets to the 7th fret (D chord) position.

Here's a standard Dobro® lick you should definitely know, followed by a simple variation:

And here are some nice pickup notes for a song that begins on a D chord:

Now that you have some scales and licks for the Key of D, here's an arrangement of "New River Train." This setting incorporates several licks from this article and some chord-based ideas for finding melody notes. Notice that while the Dobro® arrangement generally moves from chord to chord with the song, for the last V-chord, you stay in the 1-chord position (7th fret) and catch the V-note on the high string/7th fret. I hope you have fun with this arrangement!

I'll be back next month with some more ideas for playing in the key of D.

Best New Year's wishes,
Ivan Rosenberg

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Now based in the San Francisco Bay Area in California, Ivan Rosenberg has released 4 acclaimed CDs of mostly-original instrumentals plusan instructional DVD. He has toured with Chris Stuart & Backcountry, Hit & Run, The Breakmen, and Mighty Squirrel and has recorded with Chad Manning, Jake Schepps, Julie Elkins & David Thompson, Ben Winship, and Mike Grigoni among others. His original music has appeared in several film and television scores including Kangaroo Jack, Deadwood, The Daily Show, and The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Bluegrass Unlimited described Ivan as "one of the more prolific masters of the resonator guitar," and in his Banjo Newsletter review, Donald Nitchie wrote that Ivan's Clawhammer and Dobro® CD was one of the best instrumental recordings of the year. A new CD from Ivan and resonator guitar whiz Billy Cardine (with members of Billy's band, The Biscuit Burners) will be released in the summer of 2007.

Known for his systematic and enjoyable approach to teaching, Ivan has instructed at the British Columbia Bluegrass Workshop (BCBW) in Canada, the California Bluegrass Association Music Camp in Grass Valley, and the Sore Fingers Week bluegrass workshop in the UK. 2007 workshops include the BCBW-for which Ivan is also the new program director-and The Puget Sound Guitar Workshop. Ivan teaches resonator guitar and clawhammer banjo in both private and group lessons in the Bay Area.

To learn more about Ivan Rosenberg and his music please visit his official website: www.ivanrosenberg.com and www.myspace.com/ivanrosenberg.