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Beginner dobro lesson

Dobro Warm-Up Exercises

In this lesson Mark goes over the accessories you need and two warm-ups to get your fingers feeling the strings. The first is eighth notes on each open string; the second combines forward and backward rolls and moves up the neck fret by fret, which also works your intonation.

Music With Mark Warmup Technique on the Dobro Part 1

Music With Mark Warmup Technique on the Dobro Part 2

What you'll learn

• The accessories: finger picks, a steel (bar), and a capo
• A simple warm-up: eighth notes on each open string, a couple of measures at a time, from the sixth string to the first
• A warm-up pattern that combines a forward roll (thumb, index, middle) and a backward roll (middle, index, thumb)
• How to move that pattern up the neck to the fifth fret and back down
• Why the warm-up is also a good way to intonate the strings
• Why Mark suggests singing along with the notes you play

Step by step

1. Warm-up 1: play eighth notes on each open string for a couple of measures at a time, starting with the thumb on the sixth string G and moving up to the high first string, using your index and thumb together.
2. Warm-up 2: play a forward roll (thumb, index, middle) on the sixth, fifth and fourth strings.
3. Move up a string and play thumb, index, middle on the fifth, fourth and third strings.
4. Move up again: the fourth, third and second strings.
5. Move up again: the third, second and first strings, all open.
6. Play a backward roll on the first fret on the first, second and third strings, with middle, index, then thumb.
7. Play the same pattern going up to the fifth fret and back down, listening to your intonation.

In Mark's words

“One thing I like to do when warming up is just get my fingers feeling the strings.”

“Feel the string under your fingers.”

“It's a really good way to not only get to feel the strings, but to also intonate the strings.”

“You literally become one with the music.”

Coming from lap steel or new to lap-style slide? See what carries over to the dobro.

Questions

How do you warm up on dobro?

Mark starts by playing eighth notes on each open string, a couple of measures at a time, from the sixth string up to the first. Then he plays a pattern of forward and backward rolls that moves up the neck fret by fret.

What accessories do you need to play dobro?

Mark shows finger picks, a steel (also called the bar or slide) and a capo. He says that really you just need your finger picks and the steel to start getting to work.

What is a good roll warm-up for dobro?

Play thumb, index, middle on the sixth, fifth and fourth strings, then move up one string at a time until you reach the third, second and first strings, all open. Then play a backward roll (middle, index, thumb) on the first fret, and repeat the pattern up to the fifth fret and back down.

Why sing along while practicing dobro?

Mark says singing along with the notes you're playing is a really great way to connect music to your voice and your body.

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