Lap Steel Guitar (also called Hawaiian Guitar or simply lap steel or steel guitar) is a type of guitar, and a method of playing the instrument. (Pedal steel guitar was developed from Lap steel, and is very closely related, but there are a few distictions worth noting.)
A lap steel guitar is typically rectangular in shape, and features only the neck guitar. A photograph of one model is available here: [1] (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=guitar/s=acoustic/g=guitar/s=acoustic/search/bigpid/base_id/89446/)
Playing
Lap steel is typically placed in one's lap while seated, not held upright like a standard guitar. The strings are placed much higher above the neck than on a standard guitar, and are not pressed to a fret when sounding a note. Rather, the player holds a metal slide in one hand, which is moved along the strings to change the instrument's pitch while the other hand plucks the strings.
The pedal steel guitar--and to a lesser extent, the dobro--are usually played in similar fashion.
History
Lap steel probably began in Hawaii in the late 1800's. Several persons have been credited with the innovation. [2] (http://www.well.com/user/wellvis/steel.html). The instrument was rather popular--perhaps a fad--in the United States during the 1920's and 1930's.
Steel guitar, strictly speaking, refers to a method of playing using a metal slide (or 'steel') on a guitar played horizontally, with the strings uppermost.
The lapsteel is a simple instrument, typically having 6 strings and tuned to either standard tuning, or an open chord.
The term 'steel guitar' should also not be confused with steel strung guitar which is a normal acoustic guitar that has steel rather than nylon or cat-gut strings, although the bass strings will be wound with a bronze alloy, giving the distinctive gold colour.
The lapsteel guitar (also called Hawaiian guitar or simply lapsteel or steel guitar) is a type of guitar, and a method of playing the instrument.
The lapsteel is typically placed in one's lap or on a stool while seated; it is not held upright like a standard guitar.
The lapsteel, dobro and pedal steel guitar are associated most closely with Hawaiian music, country music and bluegrass, though some players have used them in rock music, jazz and other musical genres.
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