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Advanced dobro lesson

Inversions on the Dobro

In this lesson Mark shows how to move a straight-bar harmony into slanted inversions. Starting from the root and fifth on the third and first strings at the fifth fret, he slides into a forward slant to invert the notes, and points out that Rob Ickes often uses this kind of move.

What you'll learn

• How to play the first and fifth notes of the scale as a harmony on the third and first strings
• Sliding from a straight bar into a forward slant: the back moves four frets and the top moves five
• Inverting the 1 and 5 to the 3 and 1
• Moving from the 4 and 1 to the 4 and flat 7
• How slants and inversions work together

Step by step

1. Start with a straight bar at the fifth fret on the third string (the 1, C) and the first string (the 5, G), a fifth harmony.
2. Slide up into a forward slant: the back of the bar moves four frets and the top moves five, to the ninth and tenth frets.
3. That inverts the notes from the 1 and the 5 to the 3 and the 1.

In Mark's words

“You invert those notes from the one and the five to the three and the one.”

“You'll often see Rob Ickes doing a move like this. Employing that slant and inversion.”

Questions

What is an inversion on dobro?

Mark shows an inversion by taking a straight-bar harmony of the 1 and the 5 and sliding into a slant, so the notes become the 3 and the 1.

How do you invert a fifth harmony on dobro?

Mark starts with a straight bar at the fifth fret on the third string (C, the 1) and the first string (G, the 5). He slides into a forward slant with the back of the bar moving four frets and the top moving five, landing on the ninth and tenth frets.

Which dobro players use slants and inversions?

Mark says you'll often see Rob Ickes doing a move like this, employing slant and inversion together.

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