A steel guitar (Hawaiian: kīkākila) is a guitar played while moving a steel bar or similar hard object against plucked strings. The bar itself is called a "steel" and is the source of the name "steel guitar". The instrument differs from a conventional guitar in that it has no frets—but markers that look like frets. Conceptually, it is somewhat akin to playing a guitar with one finger (the bar). Known for its smooth, gliding glissandi over every pitch between notes, the instrument can produce a sinuous crying sound and deep vibrato emulating the human singing voice. Typically, the strings are plucked (not strummed) by the fingers of one hand, while the steel tone bar is pressed lightly against the strings and moved by the opposite hand.
The idea of creating music with a slide of some type h...
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An advertisement for the famous play The Bird of Paradise. The Broadway show introduced Hawaiian mus...
Fender Champion lap steel @ 2010 TSGA Jamboree.jpg
Gerald Ross' Fender Champion lap steel
26th TSGA Jamboree - 18
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Lubos Bena playing a resophonic guitar in the lap position with fingerpicks and steel slide. Copyrig...
Rickenbacker Console 758 tripleneck steel - 2011 TSGA Jamboree.jpg
Rickenbacker Console 758 tripleneck steel
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Elvin Bishop's slide guitar; photo taken at Bishop's concert on July 3, 2010 at Boston's On The Beac...
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Steel bar (tonebar) used to play certain types steel guitars
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steel guitar
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Zumsteel Double 10