Steel Guitar TypesĪlthough technically speaking, any guitar can be played as a steel, there are two types of guitars manufactured for this specific purpose: lap and pedal. This technique gained popularity across the islands and eventually became a distinct characteristic of Hawaiian music.īy the early 20th century, Americans became fascinated with the instrument, which they referred to as “Hawaiian steel guitar.” In the 1930s, the it became the first instrument to be electrically amplified and evolved into what we know today as lap steel guitar. He became known for playing his conventional guitar by laying it across his lap and sliding a metal bar along the strings. Steel guitar is believed to have been invented by Joseph Kekuku in the Hawaiian Islands in the late 19th century.
Unlike with conventional guitar, steel guitar players don’t press their fingers against the fretboard to play chords or scales but instead slide a stainless steel bar across the strings. Steel guitar is a stringed instrument known for its unique ability to create gliding notes and rich vibrato sounds.
In this article, we’ll briefly go over the history of steel guitars, the different types, and what you need to get started with learning how to play. Maybe you’ve even considered learning how to play it yourself. If you’re a country music fan, you’ve undoubtedly heard the unmistakable, tear-jerking wail of a steel guitar.