This is the inaugural column of a series of articles on the resonator guitar. Invented by the five Dopyera brothers around 1928-29, the name "Dobro®" is now a registered trademark of Gibson Guitars, so we will refer to this type of guitar as the "resonator guitar" from here on out. For a detailed history of the origins of the resonator guitar, please see:

http://www.resoguit.com/kbrown1.htm

I am a bluegrass resonator guitar player; That is, I play the instrument in the horizontal position using a slide and fingerpicks. I started playing the resonator guitar in 1974. I have been a member of several nationally known groups, including J.D. Crowe and the New South where I was a member for eleven years. The resonator guitar player before me in The New South was Jerry Douglas, probably the best-known resonator guitarist in the world today. I currently work in my own group which is called Wildfire. I have recorded two solo resonator guitar CDs. The first one is called "Philibuster" and is on Rounder records. I recorded this project in 1997. My latest CD is called "Slide Effects" and is on Pinecastle Records. Both of these projects are available on my website at: http://www.unclephilonline.com.

There are many great resonator guitar players today. Some of my favorites are Jerry Douglas, Mike Auldridge, Josh Graves, Rob Ickes, Randy Kohrs, Sally Van Meter and quite a few others. I have always found something that I like in almost every player's style. I have always believed that you can learn something from everyone. Sometimes it's a lot; sometimes it's something small, but it all works to make you a better player. I also listen to lots of other musicians. I have learned a lot from non-resonator guitar players. Hearing how a guitar or mandolin player attacks a solo, or plays a certain riff always presents a new idea.

Some of my favorite and influential musicians outside of the resonator guitar world are players such as Earl Scruggs, Ricky Skaggs, J.D. Crowe, Mark O' Connor, Scott Vestal, David Grisman, Buck White, Sam Bush, Robert Randolph, Steve Morse, Chet Atkins, Vince Gill and Chris Thile. I have always been drawn to music that moves me and makes me want to get out my own guitar perspective and practice. I love going to an awesome concert and then rushing home to pick. There is a world of great players out there who can really inspire you and keep you motivated. I try to listen to some form of music on a daily basis. It helps to keep me thinking and creating new ideas of my own.

My plan for this column is to introduce the resonator guitar to the advanced player, as well as those who are just beginning to play or have interest in this instrument. I will discuss lots of techniques that will help to make you a better player. I will also occasionally include tablature in this column. I will discuss the different styles of playing the resonator guitar, as well as selecting the best equipment, creating breaks, establishing effective practice routines, speed building, recording in the studio, and lots of other topics.

Since I play mainly bluegrass, lots of my columns will feature bluegrass or acoustic-based resonator guitar. My main approach will be using a slide and 3-finger style picking. This is probably one of the most popular styles today. I will also cover other styles that apply to this guitar. I will feature interviews and topics from other top musicians who play these styles and can offer great advice and ideas for learning alternate styles of playing.

Here are the accessories that I recommend for playing the resonator guitar:

A CUT-AWAY BAR: This is a bar with grooves for your thumb and fingers. These bars are easier to hold onto while playing. Some of those available are the Scheerhorn Steel, The Dunlop Lap Dawg, the GS Steel and the Stevens Steel to name a few. I use Scheerhorn and GS Steel cut-away bars.

PICKS: Two metal fingerpicks and a plastic thumbpick. Metal fingerpicks always sound better on the resonator guitar. They just have a better "bite" than plastic fingerpicks. Some of the best ones available are made by Dunlop, Pro-Pik and National. The heavier gauges are best for a more precise attack on the string and "pull" better tone. I use Dunlop .25 fingerpicks. Always use a plastic thumbpick as metal thumbpicks sound "scratchy" on the strings. Some of the best thumbpicks are made by Golden Gate, Dunlop and National. I like these brands because they are very firm, and stay on your thumb. They also give you a powerful strike when you hit the strings. I use both Golden Gate "Multi-Colors" as well as Dunlop "Calicos".

In the months to come, we are going to have a lot of fun here and hopefully learn a few things along the way. I hope you will read this column each month, and feel free to email me with any questions you might have.

So long until next month,
Phil