Introduction and questions

David L. Moore · Post by **David L. Moore** » 12 Jan 2011 1:50 pm

Greetings,

I've just purchased my first lap steel, in part because of this group. I've been playing bass and guitar for a number of years. While browsing a recent catalog I came across the Rogue Jersey Lightning lap steel guitar. Intrigued by the price, and infected by a love of stringed instruments, I started searching for reviews on this instrument. Seeing that it was known to members of this forum as "decent", I decided to pick up one at the advertised price of $199. Arriving at the "store", I found them marked down to $149 (red) and $99 (white). It turns out the white were out of stock, but I was able to work a deal on a red. Sold!

Now that I have it, I need to figure out what to do with it.

I began noodling with it tuned EBEG#BE, and was able to fairly easily pick out melodies, and even songs - Led Zep's "In My Time of Dying" practically fell out of the guitar. I ordered some strings from b0b to finance my membership here, and got some fingerpicks locally. I continued to noodle, and bought an "intro" lesson from "Lessons With Troy".

Today I got my "Basic C6th Nonpedal Lap Steel Method" (Mel Bay) in the mail, and though I still don't have my new strings, I tuned to an "equivalent" (enharmonic) tuning on my current set, and wow, I don't find anything to pick out, though I must say the slides sound "steelier", so I think there's hope.

I'm going to do my best to work through this book in an old-school piano lessons way (short of the rapped knuckles), but I thought I'd ask for any tips you might shoot my way.

If I have a first question, it's that the book talks about blocking, and while I understand the *why* (I don't want to hear the bar on strings I'm not picking), I'll be darned if I understand the "how*. If anyone knows this book, there are exercises (I can post some sample "similar" tab if it would help) where you pick out scales and intervals. For instance, picking out a major scale from the nut (0 "fret") to 12 on the 2nd and 6th strings. I assume I need to "block" 1,3,4, and 5, but how? Compound this with the fact that I feel like Edward Scissorhands with the picks on, making doing anything *quietly* seem impossible.

My next question is one you can't answer. That is, do I want to play this like a lap steel or a resonator? For now I'm going to go the route above, with the Mel Bay book. If I can make some sense of it, Doug B's book looks like a next step. Still, if you have comments, they're welcome.

In my other musical life, I suffer from a little ADD (hence the lap steel). I began as a bass player, and currently play bass about half the Sundays for my church's "contemporary " service. I play around on guitar because it's fun and I like buying them and looking at them. I bought some electronic drums a while back because I got a great deal, they don't *have* to make a lot of noise, and they're fun. I bought a Uke because I was on vacation and came across a cool one, and well, aren't you supposed to come home with silly souvenirs from vacation? I have a custom-built Cajun (single-row diatonic) accordion because I'm from south Louisiana and I was living in Colorado and I was missing Cajun music, and I thought it'd be fun, and it is, sometimes, when I think it's the most frustrating instrument ever conceived. I occasionally scratch at a fiddle I bought my wife for the same reason I bought my accordion. It lives in a closet, as it never got much use. Oh, and I help my daughter with piano lessons as I played trombone all through school and still remember how to read music and all.

After all that, I gotta say there's something in my head that says if my right hand can learn to play steel, and my brain and ear can figure out the fiddle, I'll need a banjo. I know, it's a sickness.

In real life, I work from home for an IT Services company, and break time is over, so I'm wrapping this up.

Regards,

Dave

Alexa Gomez · Post by **Alexa Gomez** » 12 Jan 2011 2:25 pm

Welcome to SGF, David. I owned a white Rogue Jersey Lighting and really enjoyed it for the features, or lack thereof, and it being so light. If you'd like some ideas, you might tune into my YouTube lesson channel clicking the link below.

Kevin Brown · Post by **Kevin Brown** » 13 Jan 2011 6:06 am

Hi David, just a few words in general, when I started a few years ago I was all over the place, could not settle into one tuning, always thinking the grass might be greener or easier, causing me to switch tunings all the time, this is my own personal view for you, I think there basically are two 'mother' tunings, high or low bass G and open E or D, most tunings that we on the forum use stem from either one of those 'starter' tunings. A reso is really good for learning to find your way around either of those tunings, slowly you will see how a 6th note can be added to the G shape and you will then begin to discover the wealth of minors and 7ths that are to hand in preparation for a first peek at C6 or A6th tuning. Try and find a local teacher, they will enhance your 'book' learning enormously. Blocking just came after handling and using the instrument over a period of months, you hear an unwanted string and figure out a way of muting it, often with the palm of your right hand, think of learning the lap as long long journey that has no end. All of us on the forum are on different points of that journey but we all were at one time in the position you are in now, and one day you will be helping others too ! welcome aboard, patience is everything.

Clair Dunn · Post by **Clair Dunn** » 13 Jan 2011 8:32 am

Hi David --
You in for good times for sure.

And, about lessons -- I'm sort of starting out (piano, accordion, and some bass background). I bought 2 DVDs this time around one is fantastic, the other NOT so much.

First the good: The St. Louis Blues lesson video on Josh Cho's Lil Steel DVD is worth its weight in gold. It breaks it down in sections, with the video focused entirely on his hands. It will help you immensely.
[ur]http://www.steelguitarmojo.com[/url]
There are backing tracks and pdf music/tabs for a lot of other great songs on the DVD, but the video lesson is fantastic. (I don't know Josh, so no bias here.)

The other I shut off about half way through. "Anyone can play Lap Steel" It's a Mel Bay DVD production but the entire first 45 minutes are nothing but ads disguised as teaching. The producer (I've no idea who it is) of that DVD did no one any favors. Remember this is strictly for beginners -- 10+ minutes on the Peterson Tuner? Then there are amps, volume pedals, strings, bars, and on and on. Never did get to any lesson except the tuning.

And I have the same book as you do.

cheers,
Clair

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 13 Jan 2011 1:29 pm

David, thanks for mentioning my C6 Lap Steel book/CD. I just want to clarify that it's a "song book" with tablature (and notation) for 25 songs w/audio CDs... it's not a "method book" that teaches how to play lap steel from day one. However, many of the buyers have said they've learned a lot about chord positions, chord motion, slants, two note harmonies, licks, etc. by playing the songs in the book, so it is instructional in that regard. For more info, pictures, and several audio clips ---> click here

I think you made the right decision, switching over to C6 tuning on your lap steel. It has a lot to offer, like full minor and major chords, convenient slants and two-string harmonies.

The Jersey Lightning is a good entry-level lap steel. For $149 you can't go wrong!

Here's a video I made last year using my Jersey Lightning lap steel, C6 tuning ---> Click

Wayne D. Clark · Post by **Wayne D. Clark** » 13 Jan 2011 3:57 pm

Thanks Clair, I have seen that lesson advertised and was wondering about it. I was on Cho's Web sight and liked what I was hearing, Your comment has convinced me it is worth a try. When I played Lap Steel years ago [getting a new one and going back to Lap Steel] I always played in E7th. Never tried C6th but it comes with such high recomendations for it's versitility i'm willing to give it a shot. I'll probably spring for Doug B's also. That should keep me out of Mischef for a while!

Wayne d. clark
usnyn2nd@frontier.com

Wayne D. Clark · Post by **Wayne D. Clark** » 13 Jan 2011 4:07 pm

Doug, Just listened to "Send Me the Pillow that You Cry on. on U TUB Great song, Gread Arrangement. brings back a few memories form way back. Gread Job, TWO questions. is the tuning C6th and are you playing on a 6 string Lap Steel, It looked like it but was not sure. Again Great Playing. Oh is that part of your DVD Lesson Package?

Wayne d. clark
usnyn2nd@frontier.com

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 13 Jan 2011 5:00 pm

is the tuning C6th and are you playing on a 6 string Lap Steel...

Thanks Wayne, yes I'm playing C6 tuning on that video.

1. E
2. C
3. A
4. G
5. E
6. C

is that part of your DVD Lesson Package?

No, I don't have any DVDs. I have a book (25 Songs) with 2 audio CDs. One CD has the 25 songs, the steel melodies along with track. The other CD is the 25 backup tracks without steel. All of the info is here ---> Click

"Send Me The Pillow" is not in the book, but it will be in the next book/CD, which should be completed in a couple of months. Thanks

Paul Bostic · Post by **Paul Bostic** » 13 Jan 2011 6:07 pm

Welcome to the forum David! I started playing lap steel about six months ago. My back ground was in rhythm guitar and violin. I bought a Mel Bay DVD and book which helped a little. The best help by far was purchasing the Jerry Byrd instruction book with CD's. It is only available from Scotty's Music in St. Louis and is a little spendy at $125.00. But it is worth every penny IMHO. Good luck with your new adventure.

Mitch Crane · Post by **Mitch Crane** » 13 Jan 2011 6:12 pm

Wayne, I can vouch for Doug's C6 book...WELL worth the price. It will keep you busy. His arrangements are very nice and leave lots of room for you to expand on them if you care to. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Be sure to check out his other Youtube vids also... especially "Ghost Riders"

J. Wilson · Post by **J. Wilson** » 13 Jan 2011 8:41 pm

AND check out Alexa's YouTube channel. She gives free lessons and I have picked up some great ideas from her. She is very generous with her time and talent and it is well worth sitting down and soaking in a few of her lessons.

J. Wilson · Post by **J. Wilson** » 13 Jan 2011 8:46 pm

Doug Beaumier wrote:David, thanks for mentioning my C6 Lap Steel book/CD. I just want to clarify that it's a "song book" with tablature (and notation) for 25 songs w/audio CDs.

and the wait for your book with Ghost Riders is going to kill me Doug, I think! How much longer did you say??

(I believe if I keep asking it will come sooner

)

Alexa Gomez · Post by **Alexa Gomez** » 13 Jan 2011 10:39 pm

Thank you for the mention, J. I sure do appreciate it.

Clair Dunn · Post by **Clair Dunn** » 14 Jan 2011 3:09 am

David -- addendum -- (a long one)
A few days ago, while browsing the forum, I read a thread about picks. At the time I was reading I was still having trouble with them. (they just ain't natural!) And right after that I read something elsewhere on the forum about not looking at your right hand, but rather your left. Well, I filed these away, and then yesterday, still practicing St. Louis Blues (SLB), I suddenly realized (fireworks everywhere) that my pick-encased fingers were working. AND I was looking primarily at my left hand.

Here's the analysis of what I think happened: On each of three days after I got the DVD, I spent about 90 minutes with the video -- starting/stopping/"rewinding" over and over as he went through the sections of SLB. Since then, about three more days, I've only been going through on my own, section by section - concentrating on note locations, sound and timing. Just me, my Magnatone, and Cho's tab. It was at this point that I realized the picks were working. I can't tell you the relief. My concentration was focused elsewhere and over time, my fingers seemed to find their way by themselves. Sure, I still get tangled up every now and then, but things are far better than I ever thought they'd be (short of a year of practicing! lol). It was a plateau of learning for sure and a real boost. (He doesn't use picks in the video, but that doesn't matter at all.)

As a graphic designer (my day job) I spend my time figuring out how to cleanly and clearly present information. This video which focuses solely on the hands with a voice over, is an incredible approach: simple, concise, and very effective. I'd like to have Your Cheatin' Heart, Blue Hawaii, and San Antonio Rose done this way. When I mastered those, I know I would be able to play almost anything. (I only use tabs that have the notation as well! I'm old and can't memorize, so I need to sharpen my sight reading skills.)

Anyway, sorry to go on, but the video was so unlike any others I've seen on any subject, that I just had to plug the effectiveness of its overall design. (I teach design at the local community college and just can't help but recognize a really effective teaching method!)

Josh Cho · Post by **Josh Cho** » 17 Jan 2011 8:09 am

Clair Dunn wrote: I'd like to have ... Blue Hawaii, ... done this way. ... the video was so unlike any others I've seen on any subject, that I just had to plug the effectiveness of its overall design. (I teach design at the local community college and just can't help but recognize a really effective teaching method!)

Clair,

Thanks so much for your kind words. I recognized your name immediately from the order report I just received. You work fast!!

Anyway , I also wanted to let you and any other lap steeler out there:

I still have a few of the other titles available in DVD-- including Blue Hawaii -- and they're actually on special right now here:

http://www.steel-guitar-mojo.com/steel-guitar-dvd.html

Thanks again, Clair, for helping to get the word out!

Aloha,

Josh

Mitch Crane · Post by **Mitch Crane** » 17 Jan 2011 8:24 am

Hey Josh, I just ordered the LiL Steel book a couples days ago and did not notice your MEGA SPECIAL... I just emailed again asking if I could get the MEGA deal and send more $$ It looks like a terrific package and a GREAT deal !

Josh Cho · Post by **Josh Cho** » 17 Jan 2011 9:08 am

Mitch Crane wrote:Hey Josh, I just ordered the LiL Steel book a couples days ago and did not notice your MEGA SPECIAL... I just emailed again asking if I could get the MEGA deal and send more $$ It looks like a terrific package and a GREAT deal !

Mitch,

You're going to be doubling up on the LIL STEEL, did you want to give it away as a gift?

Either way, I can't stop the post now, so you'll end up with 2!!

But of course, you'll be getting back the $$'s from your first order of just the LIL STEEL! Thanks so much for the support Mitch, it's truly appreciated!

Josh