Learning the Banjo while you learn Pedal Steel

Brandon Wright · Post by **Brandon Wright** » 9 Nov 2010 7:02 pm

two birds with one stone. I think it makes your right hand kick up a little more dust when your shred dawgin it on the Pedal Steel

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 9 Nov 2010 10:45 pm

Agreed. I learned basic bluegrass banjo before I started playing PSG, and I think it helped this heavily flatpick-oriented guitar player a lot.

I think it's also good "calisthenics" for the right hand to work on getting those banjo rolls really flowing smoothly. I had hardly touched my banjo in the last few years, but the last few weeks I've been playing it pretty regularly. '88 Greg Rich-era Gibson Granada reissue - I don't really rate such a great banjo, but I worked a good trade several years ago and I'm 'a keepin' it.

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 9 Nov 2010 11:55 pm

yep ! banjo rolls & that "drive" are essential to psg chops
not to be passed by or overlooked

Martin Weenick · Post by **Martin Weenick** » 10 Nov 2010 3:56 am

Ask B0b, it's his favorite instrument.

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 10 Nov 2010 4:28 am

I find it helps to keep the picking fingers supple.

Dick Wood · Post by **Dick Wood** » 10 Nov 2010 6:51 am

Ken

You might try Bag Balm. It's Udderly fantastic for keeping fingers supple and it's cheaper than a Banjo.

Allan Jirik · Post by **Allan Jirik** » 10 Nov 2010 7:52 am

I played steel for 12 years, then banjo for 29, now back to steel with banjo. 41 years of using finger picks and right hand work is probably the best thing I've got going for me.

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 10 Nov 2010 9:13 am

Dick Wood wrote:Ken

You might try Bag Balm. It's Udderly fantastic for keeping fingers supple and it's cheaper than a Banjo.

Thaks for that advice Dick

At my age I need everything I can to stave off stiff joints. The banjo is a bit more fun though.

Wayne Franco · Post by **Wayne Franco** » 10 Nov 2010 9:51 am

I think that is why a lot of steel players are banjo players. You already know how to use metal finger picks. It has taken a long time to go from "a banjo player that plays steel to "a steel player who plays banjo". I just got a Droid 2 phone so I can play radio stations through my bluetooth to my radio. It has bluegrass cnannels that I have been listening to. I may get that ol'5 string out and practice a little bit. Can't hurt your speed. I also play harder due to being a former accoustic player.

Jim Pitman · Post by **Jim Pitman** » 10 Nov 2010 10:43 am

What's the definition of "perfect pitch"?
When you throw the pedal steel in the dumpster and it lands squarely on the banjo.
(Just kidding. I love both.)

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 10 Nov 2010 11:28 am

I love playing Banjo!
I have re-named the Instrument, though.
I call it a "Jam-Bo".

Dave O'Brien · Post by **Dave O'Brien** » 10 Nov 2010 11:42 am

Albert Svenddal · Post by **Albert Svenddal** » 10 Nov 2010 12:17 pm

Maybe someone could invent a pedal Banjo?

Fooch Fischetti · Post by **Fooch Fischetti** » 10 Nov 2010 12:37 pm

Isn't that what Keith Tuners are for

Fooch

Paul Norman · Post by **Paul Norman** » 10 Nov 2010 12:45 pm

Ask Buck Trent.

Chris Grotewohl · Post by **Chris Grotewohl** » 10 Nov 2010 8:53 pm

Glad to see some PSG pickers with taste. Unknown to most banjo folks, the 5-string is probably the most versatile instrument out there, its just that most banjo players don't think that way, IMO. I also have been kickin around PSG off and on for 20 years, banjo for 40. Right hand picks, if they are not on my fingers, in my pocket, or catastrophically in some unknown place,(which is always a problem) is all I know.

I always thought that being a banjo dude, I could pick up the the steel easily. I was wrong, Right hand blocking etc...The PSG is complicated, but so is the 5 string if you want make good music out of it.

MOO CLG

Tom Stolaski · Post by **Tom Stolaski** » 10 Nov 2010 9:54 pm

One time I played a bluegrass gig for a couple of hours during the day, and then went to my steel gig that night. It was one of my best nights playing the steel guitar. I guess my right hand was all warmed up and ready to play. Everything fell into place. I was relaxed and could rip off fast licks all night. I highly recommend the banjo as a warm up instrument for the more important task of playing steel guitar.

Bob Grado · Post by **Bob Grado** » 13 Nov 2010 6:04 am

I just started incorporating banjo and mandolin into the set using an AB switch ahead of the volume pedal. It takes some getting used too but once you do it adds alot of variety to the set.

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Les Anderson · Post by **Les Anderson** » 13 Nov 2010 12:55 pm

There are more and more country bands that are incorporating a banjo into their shows. I haven't seen anyone hire a banjo player to just play banjo yet; however, the banjo is usually just one of several of the musician's instruments.

I like to pick away at my old five string now and then but would never play it in front of anyone: not even my dog.

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 13 Nov 2010 1:51 pm

Georg, I'm sure your cows wouldn't mind it a bit. I hear that after 5 days of b@njo, they milk more.

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 13 Nov 2010 3:34 pm

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 14 Nov 2010 10:52 am

I've tried playing banjo and steel at the same time. The pot gets in the way and I don't have enough fingers.

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 17 Nov 2010 12:22 pm

This will help you learn;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-1Wa7Sn ... ture=share

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Learning the Banjo while you learn Pedal Steel

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