Is it ever too late to learn steel....?

David Hartley · Post by **David Hartley** » 22 Apr 2011 8:36 pm

I don't think so.

My mate Keith White started learning at 54, now gigs 3 times a week, every week.

My advice is, there's only so much you can learn before you really need to get and play with other musicians on a regular basis. That's the advice I gave Keith about a year ago and every time I see him now he tells me how right I was.

David Hartley.

Jeremy Craft · Post by **Jeremy Craft** » 22 Apr 2011 8:46 pm

Just don't wait until after you're dead.

Jim Cooley · Post by **Jim Cooley** » 22 Apr 2011 8:46 pm

So there is hope after all. Yes!

Chris Tweed · Post by **Chris Tweed** » 23 Apr 2011 4:58 am

This is just the encouragement I need. I was about to ask the same question as I am 54 and have just bought my first pedal steel. I have been playing dobro and non-pedal (C6) for a few years now.

David Hartley · Post by **David Hartley** » 23 Apr 2011 6:34 am

You have a head start there. Keith had no musical knowledge at all and has never played any instrument in his life. Now, as I say, he gigs at 3 jam sessions every week and has a few that pays too. He owns 2 Rains, a Fessenden and my old ShoBud LDG also. He also has 2 session 500's, 2 Nashville 400's and a PV 112 also. A monster PV PA is set up in his lounge and a second PV PA for gigs. He loves every minute of playing music and practicing.

Dennis Lee · Post by **Dennis Lee** » 23 Apr 2011 6:57 am

I started when I was 51, now 57. It's the most fun I've ever had. This is a thinking man machine, and that's the attraction to me, not to mention the beautiful harp-like sounds of the angels. This is one way to keep the brain active for the rest of your life, just start playing a pedal steel.

Jack Klein · Post by **Jack Klein** » 23 Apr 2011 8:48 am

started at 71 and am 84 now and still learnin.

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 23 Apr 2011 9:44 am

I have a good friend up here who was given a Sho-Bud Baldwin crossover guitar,figured out how to get it in shape,has arthritis and started playing last year and is sounding great,and he just turned 76 years young!

Frank Dartt · Post by **Frank Dartt** » 23 Apr 2011 5:57 pm

Age has not hindered me. I started when I was 75,have LOVED every minute of practice. Shore have been blessed with lots of help from the steel guitar chat room, I
turned 81 in January.
Frank Dartt

Gregg Laiben · Post by **Gregg Laiben** » 23 Apr 2011 7:22 pm

David, how long was it after Keith started learning did he start gigging?

I've been at it 2 years (54 myself) and play along with all my iTunes, but never a live band.

Hal Braun · Post by **Hal Braun** » 23 Apr 2011 7:43 pm

Wow.. I hope not! My dad passed his lap steel on to me and I am picking it up at 60, and while I can play a guitar.. the only commonality is strings and pickups!

I start lessons next Saturday and guess we will see how it goes I guess...

Gerry Brown · Post by **Gerry Brown** » 25 Apr 2011 12:55 pm

I bought my first steel last October at 60 after swearing a couple of years ago that I wouldn't take on any more new instruments at this age ( I play dobro and guitar). I couldn't help myself. Got my third steel in December and played my first gig last Friday night. Didn't try anything fancy... mostly chords behind the two lead singers. Did not embarrass myself or the band.

Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 25 Apr 2011 2:43 pm

I started when I was eighteen-that was 1999. Here I am, now twenty-nine in 2011 and I still love playin' steel. This year on Christmas Day-it'll be twelve years. Been playin' for eleven years and I still love it!

Brett

Bernie Gonyea · Post by **Bernie Gonyea** » 25 Apr 2011 4:14 pm

Brett : I am proud of you,man; Am anxious to hear you play your new Black Diamond along with Ttommy Dodds .Keep pickin' those strings, my friend..Bernie

Bob Sykes · Post by **Bob Sykes** » 25 Apr 2011 7:02 pm

Began almost 2 years ago at 55. Started PSG gigging every weekend after 3 months of homework. (Already had 40+ years of 6-string.) I'm hooked. This thing is fascinating.

Howard Hannah · Post by **Howard Hannah** » 29 Apr 2011 6:41 am

How many of you never played an instrument before and how old were you when you started playing the pedal steel guitar

David Hartley · Post by **David Hartley** » 29 Apr 2011 8:46 am

Gregg.

Keith has a 2 hour lesson with me once a week for about 3 years, and then I decided he needed band practice and to work with other musicians. He did just that. He found 3 local venues that hold regular jam-ins and went along. He never misses one now. AND....he is playing along to all sorts of music, and not just country...

Kenneth Caine · Post by **Kenneth Caine** » 29 Apr 2011 9:17 am

Start playing the lap steel at about 49 and now am 51, so about two years. I have limited music training and nothing really since high school. Forced to take 2 years of piano as a kid, so I can read music.

Am now in a small band that plays only to our kids if we can get them to listen. And one Church talent show.

Paul Demond · Post by **Paul Demond** » 29 Apr 2011 9:18 am

I am 10 years beyond that and looking for an instrument now. if you would email which of the information on your site I should start with that would be appreciated. Also interested in the C6 applications and if I should pursue. Always impressed by your sound and technique.

My Best

Paul

S.M. Johnson · Post by **S.M. Johnson** » 29 Apr 2011 9:47 am

I've heard among the steel players I've had the pleasure of getting to know, that regardless how young they were when they first started or how old they might be at this time, that the 'LEARNING' is never-ending and that each time they sit down to the guitar they learn something new, exciting and even startling(sp?).

It definitely IS a mind teaser and that's good for ones' health, keeping the electrons floating around and all.

The SECRET is............practice as often as you want. Long sessions or short sessions.....you will capture something worthwhile!

The Steel Guitar Forum

Is it ever too late to learn steel....?

Is it ever too late to learn steel....?

Chris Tweed

Never Too Late!

old age

Is it ever too late to learn steel

Brett Day is Busy W orking With " Black Diamond "

to Gregg Laiben

learning

The LEARNING never ends...................