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Comment by One String Willie on July 15, 2012 at 1:11pm

Hi Sam-

 

I might weigh in on this one.  I assume you are playing a Cigar Box Diddley bow rather than a lap-style plank, two nails and broom wire type.

 

There is really no short cut for working out a melody, but there are a couple of things to consider.  The first note of the song will not always be Tonic (first scale degree) of the scale the song is in, but the LAST note of the song WILL be the first scale degree of the scale, so to make it easy on yourself, try to work out the melody using the open string as this note.  This may mean that the melody starts out on a different fret position than the open string, so if th open string doesn't seem to be working, try the melody starting on the 7th fret position or possibly the 5th fret position. 

 

For example, for The Star Spangled Banner in the key of C, the first note is a G, so assuming the open string is a C, the melody lays out better if you start on the 7th fret position:  G.  The tonic (first scale degree) is important, so sprinkling this note in throughout the piece adds variety, but keeps you locked into the right key.  It will work for the I and IV chord, but will be dissonant with the V chord.

 

Several cuts on my CD "You Gotta Hit the String Right" are fairly melodic (One Kind Favor, Troubles of the World, Do Unto Others, Wish I Was in Heaven Sittin' Down, although only the last one is a CBDB--all the rest are lap style).

 

To cut down the metallic "edge" when using the slide, try muting the string very lightly with the side of your picking hand.  This works for me pretty well.  I assume you are using a piezo--if you use a SignalFlex SF1000 preamp, there are 3 bands of EQ, and you can reduce the high end by dialing down the slider.

 

I like Matt's idea of using a two string instrument.  When I play melodies on the first string of a CBG, I use the second string to imply chords.  The second string is tuned 3 half steps below the first string:  e.g., 1st string D, 2nd string B.

 

I hope this is helpful (and understandable)!

 

Best regards, Willie

Comment by Wichita Sam on July 15, 2012 at 9:19am

Hmmm, nylon,  interesting... thanks.

Comment by Matthew Borczon on July 15, 2012 at 5:57am

Have you tried a nylon string? They slide well and the sound is mellower. I play slide on a 2 stringed uke I strung with classical guitar strings and it sounds great.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnVDKodxkK0&feature=related here is a nice use of one string. check out the video of what he does. It is still just percussive heavy but he pushes some boundaries. I like the sound of the bowed string. The bowed dulcimer site has a good group of ideas on how to hold the bow. I have made a couple of 2 stringed lap violins that sound really good with the bow. Might be a way to go.  

Comment by Wichita Sam on July 15, 2012 at 4:02am

Matt, thanks.  there is really very little on youtube.  to move the diddley bow beyond th e rythmn, background function is my goal.  Denys Lord has some interesting stuff.  One with a violin bow.   I'm hoping to be able to play melody on a guitar style Dbow. 

 

Also, do you have any thoughts on processing to take the metalic edge out?  I don't want to go fretted one string, doesn't seem Dbow-ish to me.  want to stay fretless, slide, but mellow/melodic.....

 

Any ideas, hints, musing welcome.

 

the best,

 

Sam

Comment by Matthew Borczon on July 15, 2012 at 2:36am

Sam, I think if you expand it to 2 strings the playing would really open up melody wise. Still I think you can do it on one with the right song selection. Look at old mountain songs. try dulcimer tabs to see how it sounds to you. I wish I had an example but do not. Maybe try playing some of the songs with a violin bow. There are probably some youtube videos that could help. start with the king of the one string guy. he plays a guitar with just one string but his style is amazing. Hope this helps

Comment by Wichita Sam on July 14, 2012 at 4:16pm

I need your help... I'd like to build a set using a one string dbow, but I play to mixed audiences and can't do 45 minutes of gritty slide.

 

anyone have examples of more melodic music on dbow?  any music style will do...

 

thanks,

 

Sam

Comment by Trashmun Johnson on May 30, 2012 at 11:02am

Hello fellow 1-Stringers! My name is Trashmun Johnson. Been building & playing diddley bows for a few years now. Nice to see others appriciate the art of playin' these lost instruments. I'll be updating my page with pics, vids & tunes soon.

Comment by chongolio on May 10, 2012 at 6:23am

"The Junkbow" A two stringed cigar box diddley bow that I made using an old cigar box, scrap wood, a couple bolts and some drain covers for sound holes. I made a flying skelly head stencil and used a couple clear rinestone for blingy eyes. This buggah sounds awesome and can be heard on my song "Junkhound" by clicking on thislink.

Comment by Vick Griffin on April 27, 2012 at 1:05am

Tinkering around with my first d-bow build.  Got an old Teisco pup that I'm mounting on it - wondering what the optimum distance between string and pup would be for best playability...

Comment by Dave Burley on March 28, 2012 at 9:03am

Tried my first one out tonight. I've dismantled it again for now so I can give it a bit of a sand down etc. but it sounded pretty good to my untrained ear.

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