Teaching yourself Dobro is easy—especially with this book!
You Can Teach Yourself Dobro by Janet Davis offers a logical sequence to learning this unique instrument, starting with the basics and using previous skills as a foundation for new skills. The book is divided into lessons, early lessons covering essential technique and subsequent lessons introducing a mix of music theory principles, improvisation exercises, and advanced slide techniques.
Examples of lessons include:
- Tuning.
- Chord locations.
- Roll patterns.
- Playing up the neck.
- Slant chords.
- Embellishing the melody.
- Interchanging licks.
- Seventh chords.
- Using a capo.
- Melodic style.
- Minor chords.
- Transposing.
The focus of You Can Teach Yourself Dobro is on bluegrass, as evidenced by the collection of standards used to illustrate the techniques and provide improvisation practice:
- “Cripple Creek.”
- “Blackberry Blossom.”
- “Footprints in the Snow.”
- “John Henry.”
- “Train 45.”
- “John Hardy.”
- “Reuben.”
- “Sally Goodin’.”
- “Devil’s Dream.”
- “Old Joe Clark.”
However, blues, Hawaiian, and old-time country styles receive some attention, as well.
The absolute beginner to Dobro couldn’t pick a better place to start than this book. Take your time to master each lesson before moving on to the next—it will pay off.
Homestead on the Range 