Steel Guitar Lesson #5

[Gary Shreve]

I spent Saturday afternoon with Steve Lamb in Fort Worth, again... I gotta tell you, that guy has miles of patience.

So far, we've gone over Faded Love, Cryin' My Heart Out Over You, and Heartache by the Numbers. Steve is throwing in one new curve-ball each week. First, it was the AB pedals together, then we split 'em up. Then, we used one knee lever, then one pedal and one knee lever together... Just when I think I'm getting caught up, he throws me more stuff. Intros, solos, and fills.

Now, we're up to using all three pedals (SD-10) and both of the left knee levers. I've gotta tell you that I'm still having the time of my life.

I bought a Goodrich 120 pedal in excellent condition, but with a known scratchy pot. I installed one of the Dunlop pots from Tom Bradshaw, and the pedal sounds great. You've gotta love Tom's instruction sheet, too. On that note, Tom even sent me an extra .011 string for the ones I "keep ripping off."

I still absolutely love practicing. But, it seems that no matter how much I practice, the progress is slow. When I listen to Alan Jackson CD's, almost every steel lick seems so easy, right up until I try it. Paul is a master steel guitarist, and I want to play like him someday. So, let's see...I'm 38 now...in 20 years, I'll be 58, and maybe, just maybe, I'll be good enough to play in a local band.

I've received lots of support and encouragement from the folks here on the forum, and not one bit of negativity. That sure helps to keep the motivation up. Besides, I learn a lot just by reading all of the other posts.

Sorry for all the rambling. This steel guitar learning process is addictive. I just can't seem to get enough of it. Thanks for letting me vent here!

[Larry Jamieson]

Gary,
Glad to hear you are enjoying the ride.
Get into a band as soon as think your can. You will learn as much playing with other musicians as you do at a lesson, and its like a 3 or four hour practice all at once. Have fun!
Larry J.

[Dick Wood]

Hey Gary,

I mentioned on your first post that I sat in the exact same seat about 26 years ago and how well I remember those Saturday morning lessons with Steve.

He's a good teacher and person and he'll get you on the road to where you can play with a band in a short while.He kicked me out of the nest in three months so hang in there and stay with it.

[chris ivey]

gary,
i never had any formal lessons...just desire. i learned from jamming with my poor sucker friends and asking stuff of other steel players..of which there weren't many. after 3 years i thought i was great! after 10 years i thought i had a lot to learn, as i feel now after 37 years. however, none of this stopped me from playing in any band that would let me. good luck and have fun going for it!

[Gary Shreve]

Oh, how I'd love to be able to play steel in a band. How does one not have a feeling of inadequacy when playing with great players, and you, yourself, feel very limited in talent?

I taught myself how to play the accoustic 6 string guitar. I often think of how much better I would be at it if I had taken lessons...or at least had gotten together with someone who had the patience and ability to teach. I do play my guitar just about every day, but I spend most of the time playing stuff I already know.

I've read a lot of the steel guitar history both here on the forum, as well as in other publications. I just don't know how Buddy, Lloyd, John, and all of the other steel guitar pioneers learned from a correspondence course, or just figured it out by trial and error.

I have had the desire for a while, but finally broke down and bought my own steel so I could realize the dream, so-to-speak. After looking back on this short month of steel ownership, I can only think that by studying with Steve, I'm miles ahead of where I otherwise would have been if I had been trying to go it alone...out of books and DVD's.

Like I said, I'd love to play steel in a band...to wear the "Steel Guitarist" hat. I'll get there someday.

Dick, I'll have to go out to Springtown and meet you one of these days. Steve sure thinks a lot of you...and he laughed again at you hauling off your first steel guitar on your motorcycle.

Cris and Larry, I have a feeling you two were braver than I am...to go right out and play with any band that'd let you play with them. Guess I'm too chicken. Thanks for the encouragement, though.

[chris ivey]

i'm certainly not knocking lessons...i would imagine with steve teaching you with patience, you'll be on stage way before you thought!
i've taken my d10 and a pakaseat to the studio several times on the backseat my goldwing when my car was broken!

[Bob Hickish]

Quote
"I have a feeling you two were braver than I am...to go right out and play with any band that'd let you play with them. Guess I'm too chicken. "


Ya Right !!!
If you want to make a bet !
you won't have the will power to stop your self if
your asked to play in a band .

we've all been there, done that , just have fun Gary !!!

Hick

[Bent Romnes]

Gary, It is refreshing to meet a new steel player with the right attitude. You have good attitude to spare. I can just tell from the way you write.

You are so lucky to have a great teacher. You 'love' practicing. As far as I can see, you are doing all the right things to become a good steel player in the shortest possible time. Learn all the right things now(Right and left hand technique). That way you don't ever have to unlearn bad habits.
With your attitude you will make it in record time.

I just wanted to give you these few words of encouragement.

[Bill Ford]

Gary,
Sounds like you're on the right track....Go get em!!!!

BF

[Mark Edwards]

Gary - Steve is a great instructor....He was my first instructor and not only gave me the basics he and Steven his son got me my first playing gig in about 8 months of playing...He's a good egg and a good steeler. If you can remember next time you see Steve, Steven, or his wife Nancy tell them that Mark Edwards says hello and that I hope to see them at the Texas Steel show next weekend.

Hang in there and if you stick with Steve he will get you as far as you want to go....

[David LeBlanc]

Gary,I`ll start by saying that you and me have a lot in comon:I`m 38,I`m a newbee,and some day I`d love to play in a band.Good luck to you and someday we`ll meet back stage at the "OPRY" waiting for our turns to play.

[Brian Folks]

Gary...I too was where you are...back in the late 60's, I played Drums for Country Bands in my area...always amazed watching our Pedal Steel Player whip out some beautiful licks...I was mesmerized, many times forgetting where I was in a song...I knew then that I had to learn to play one myself, but could not afford one until 1977, when I bought my first Pedal Steel. Knowing how to play lead on the 6 string pretty well...I thought, no problem...well wrong. So i tried to teach myself...a lot of us have I'm sure tried this, don't work on the Pedal Steel Guitar...So I got the original Winnie Winston Book w/tear out black thin plastic record and started...Learned what I could, mostly bad habits, then in 1978 took I believe 2 or 3 one on one lessons with the late great Tommy Roots in Corpus Christi, Tx and started playing with some local small Country Bands. Tommy wanted to work with me more, and I wish now that I had...I played Pedal steel for another 6 years or so and sold it...went back to the Drums (What a Mistake) for 14 years, then in 1999 got back on the Pedal Steel...Stayin' with it this time for good. Gary you've got a Great Teacher in Steve Lamb...just don't give up on the one on one lessons, you will Thank yourself and your Teacher down the road later...Just "Keep on Pickin". Take care...Your South Texas Friend...Brian

P.S. Hope to see you at the Dallas show this week

[Bowie Martin]

As soon as you can sit in with a band, a jam session, or whatever, or a steel jam - the better.
Everyone has to learn, and sitting in with a band, or working with a band, will help you more than anything else. Go for it!