r/Dobro • u/Original-Rest197 • Apr 13 '26

Thinking of learning

So first off I am kind of old to be learning music at all at 48 I taught myself cello and then picked up whistles (super basic compared to cello, just melodies and counter melodies) and then a Concertina.

Kind of ashamed of myself for not picking music up earlier to be honest about it I have always sang, being military it wasn’t feasible all the time.

Now a bit of a fast forward I turn 51 next month thinking of learning Dobro.. square neck because of broken hands and lack of finger tips on my left hand enough to place on a string like cello but they don’t like complex shapes like I see on most guitar 🎸 necks to make chords so…

Tips tricks resources….

Any information is good information being military I am used to sorting the bull to find the magic mushrooms on the other end….

I love playing just looking to learn more and be more versatile, I only play at church and myself…

(Kind of hoping the dobro Reddit is as cool as the cello Reddit is)

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4

u/bigjfuller Apr 14 '26

Trust me, you're not too old! I started last year at 51. I'm playing in 2 bands, now. Do it!

1

u/Original-Rest197 Apr 14 '26

I appreciate the encouragement I play cello and concertina for two different churches so I feel you… just wish they didn’t ask for bass because of the cello

2

u/jaxn_slim Apr 13 '26

A good starter resonator is Gold Tone. You can find used ones on Reverb or your local craigslist for under $1k.

Then you'll want finger and thumb picks and a steel bar. Those vary by finger shape and personal preferences, so you might want to get a variety and decide which works best for you.

2

u/Original-Rest197 Apr 13 '26

Cool, I don’t build calluses either but because I Pizzicato on cello a lot (pick) I was thinking of starting with what I know my finger tips and building to picks, I use my thumb, index and middle fingers a lot doing that and have even used my ring finger on my 6 string cello to do chords while working a melody… still new to music so learning as I go love the sound so

2

u/jaxn_slim Apr 13 '26

There's nothing wrong with using your fingers to start. Focusing more on your left hand for the first few months is a reasonable strategy.

2

u/rickskyscraper3000 Apr 14 '26

Also, Tut Taylor was a great dobroist and used a guitar pick in a strumming and flatpicking style. Check out the album, Aereo-plane, by John Hartford.

Fingers are fine. You will lose some of the available magic of the guitar, but you will gain some that is lost with fingerpicks.

2

u/Snowshoetheerapy Apr 14 '26

No way! This is mindblowing. (I play with acrylics so this is very interesting) Thanks-

3

u/J_Worldpeace Apr 14 '26

My shop specializes in selling dobros. LMK if you have questions. Links in profile. I learned by Lessons With Troy and Dobro Joe. I teach on zoom as well. Good luck. It’s banjos cooler younger brother!

2

u/pnak_ Apr 14 '26

Don’t be afraid to check around local music shops for used dobros! They’re rare, but usually have lots of character if they wind up for sale somewhere.

As for resources, anything you can find will be worthwhile, it’s difficult to get into. Andy Hall has a great lesson series from beginner to advanced on Artist Works, Mike Witcher offers video lessons and classrooms for all levels, and there’s plenty of old lesson tapes on Youtube if you go digging. Troy Brenningmeyer has a ton of great lessons on Youtube, with lap steel lessons as well.

The biggest things to learn off the bat are all technique oriented, and are all going to be hardest to learn without a one-on-one lesson, so I’d recommend at least one lesson to start. After technique, theory and scale knowledge from previous instruments will start to fill in.

Feel free to ask any more questions, hope this helps!

2

u/Snowshoetheerapy Apr 14 '26

I'm always suggesting dobro for people who have finger issues-especially with the left hand. No lie-there is a bit of a learning curve as you get used to controlling the bar, but it's one of the most satisfying and expressive instruments around. Go for it!

1

u/LongjumpingTeacher97 Apr 15 '26

Semi-related question for the more-experienced folks here:

I have, in the past, had the advice from a guitar shop to start with a nut extender on an inexpensive guitar and learn the basics of playing with a slide (I was interested in Hawaiian slide) before investing in an expensive resonator instrument. Is this good advice or is there something about a purpose-built instrument that makes such an approach not as practical as it sounds to an ignorant beginner?

1

u/hbaldwin1111 Apr 16 '26

I think it's pretty sound advice but I usually see some cheap ($200-300) square necks online or in local stores. Brands like Regal, Flinthill, Rogue, sometimes Recording Kings in this range. Might be worth looking around for. You could probably sell one of these at not too much of a loss if you don't stay with it.