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Author Topic:  Where should I start?
David Kellogg

 

From:
Tualatin, OR
Post  Posted 10 Jul 2008 5:26 am    
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Just got my amp in from Tommy Butler and my pedal steel should be here tomorrow. I have zero experience with a pedal steel. What should I do first? Buy learning CD's? Get local private instruction? Move to Nashville? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
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Brian McGaughey


From:
Orcas Island, WA USA
Post  Posted 10 Jul 2008 5:49 am     Re: Where should I start?
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Quote:
What should I do first?

Plug your guitar into your amp and your amp into the wall.



Laughing



(Couldn't resist that softball).



Seriously, find a good instructor. And brush up on your theory.

This page sat next to me the first day I got my guitar http://www.b0b.com/infoedu/e9theory.htm and is still within arms reach. Good luck. Have fun.

Brian
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Joe Drivdahl


From:
Montana, USA
Post  Posted 10 Jul 2008 6:01 am    
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Brian,

Thats good advice and a good page.

David,
I don't know if you have experience with things like volume pedals and finger picks, but for me, these were the first hurdle, especially the volume pedal. I had a heck of a time learning to keep it even.

Another frustration can be keeping the bar straight across the fret marks. But its a fun instrument to learn because even at the very beginning you can make 'good' sounds with it (complete opposite of a fiddle).

Good luck,

Joe
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Paul Awalt

 

From:
Greenwich, Ct.
Post  Posted 10 Jul 2008 6:03 am     Instruction
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Look locally, or contract Billy Cooper in Orange Virgina, he hasa steel guitar shop, and he teaches and sells other peoples instructional material.
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James Cann


From:
Phoenix, AZ
Post  Posted 10 Jul 2008 7:26 am    
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Get a copy of Winnie Winston's (and Bill Keith's) Pedal Steel Guitar. It's a can't-miss tutorial for a new guy (like I was back in 75).

Try a Google search. Should be easy to find.

Welcome to this esoteric club, and good luck.
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Mickey Adams


From:
Bandera Texas
Post  Posted 10 Jul 2008 7:43 pm     Try This
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David, I have a Beginners Book that should be finished in about 30 days. You can find 150 of my Instructional videos on Youtube at the following address
http://www.youtube.com/user/Singlpilot
Hope this helps.......Mickey
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Dan Beller-McKenna


From:
Durham, New Hampshire, USA
Post  Posted 11 Jul 2008 2:17 am    
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David,

congrats on your new equipment! Do you already play six string guitar or some other instrument?

Dan
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Joe Drivdahl


From:
Montana, USA
Post  Posted 11 Jul 2008 4:42 am    
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David,

I bet you can find the Winnie Winston book at Amazon.com.

Joe
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Ray Minich

 

From:
Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra
Post  Posted 11 Jul 2008 5:40 am    
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A good shot of your favorite libation is in order at the first sitting.
Perhaps a second as well...

Step one... Learn what chords are where on the unpedalpressed strings, 3,4,5,6,8,10.

It's quite a climb up that hill, and the peak keeps moving...
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b0b


From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
Post  Posted 11 Jul 2008 8:10 am    
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Joe Drivdahl wrote:
David,

I bet you can find the Winnie Winston book at Amazon.com.

Joe

Or in the Forum catalog. Click "Instruction" at the top of the page.
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Steve Norman


From:
Seattle Washington, USA
Post  Posted 11 Jul 2008 8:26 am    
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Whats your musical background? have you played any instruments before.
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David Kellogg

 

From:
Tualatin, OR
Post  Posted 11 Jul 2008 2:52 pm     My musical background
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I sang Mack the Knife at a karaoke bar on a cruise ship, I can sing along with George straight on key, pretty much. The only notes I have ever delt with were bank notes. So I am starting from scratch but with much enthusiasm.
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Ernest Cawby


From:
Lake City, Florida, USA, R.I.P.
Post  Posted 11 Jul 2008 5:36 pm     hi
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Get Jeff Newmans books for beginning, call Fran she will put you on the right path.All Newmans lessons are good, and you can play them over and over, not like a local teacher, you can repeat till you got it right. Jeff starts like you know nothing and before you know it you are playing with a singer.
He is the best teacher out there.

ernie
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