where did you start???

Colin Keyworth · Post by **Colin Keyworth** » 22 Jun 2002 11:54 am

Can anybody tell me a good place to start practising.I have mastered the grips for major chords with the a&b pedals.Wot is a good place to go from here???? :confused

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C Dixon · Post by **C Dixon** » 22 Jun 2002 12:32 pm

Colin,

Try this:

1. Begin at any fret.

2. Pick strings 4, 5 and 6. let them sustain.

3. Engage the B and C pedals and. Let them sustain.

4. Slide up 2 frets. Let them sustain.

5. Slide up 3 more frets and pick 4, 5 and 6 no pedals. Let them sustain.

6. Slide up 2 more and let them sustain.

7. Engag the B and C pedals and let them sustain.

8. Slide up 5 frets and repick strings 4, 5 and 6 WITH the B pedal and the knee lever that lowers the E's. And let them sustain.

9. Let off the pedal and the knee lever while the notes sustain.

Now why did I have you do this? Well you may recognize the "Do Re Me.......... Do" scale.

And that is what it is ALL about. Now do it backwards. Do this forward AND backwards until you can do it in your sleep. Now, do it starting at progressively higher frets up or down, until you have covered All 12 keys.

This chordal scale is the root of most western style music. It is what the ear tends to want to hear.

After you have this down pat and can do it blind folded. Use all or parts of this scale when you are listening to a song while backing it up as you are practicing.

As you do, you will see how chords tend to progress and see it come alive to you.

You are accomplishing several things here.

1. You are training your ears.

2. You are learning Chord relations to each other.

3. You are learning passing tones.

4. You are learning the relationship of "relative" minors etc. within the chordal structure of music.

5. You are execising a pedal you don't normally use.

6. You are learning timing, picks, blocking, bar movement, etc; so you can enjoy playing and not have it become all mechanical.

As you do this, try OTHER string grips, etc. And, other combinations of pedals and/or knee levers.

If you do this my friend, You are ON your way.

Good luck, may Jesus richly bless you and don't forget to enjoy the "ride". Cuz it is one heckuva journey.

carl[This message was edited by C Dixon on 22 June 2002 at 01:36 PM.][This message was edited by C Dixon on 22 June 2002 at 01:41 PM.]

Colin Keyworth · Post by **Colin Keyworth** » 22 Jun 2002 1:21 pm

Carl,many thanks this is just the sort of information i need.I am pretty much flying blind due to a shortage of psg teachers around here,i'll get this exercise down before i try anything else,i have bits of songs but only things i've copied & none of my own input.Again many thanks my friend

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Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 22 Jun 2002 2:03 pm

Carl's advice is golden.

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 22 Jun 2002 3:06 pm

You said it!.....AL

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 22 Jun 2002 11:20 pm

Ear Training is Fun-damental
While practicing Scales, Chords, or whatever,
Honing the Ear so as to recognize the Musikal alphabet is not to be neglected.
Put on some of your favorite tunes or players, or even something that you would'nt believe you could play to, and play along w:it. that's ear training. you'll love it Colin !
Steel don't mean a thing,
if it ain't got that...

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 23 Jun 2002 6:46 am

Carl your selfless act of giving to the steel guitar community is un-surpassed my friend.
Your a true gentleman and Teacher.
God Bless You.
Ricky

David Cutter · Post by **David Cutter** » 23 Jun 2002 7:21 am

Ricky
You are absolutely right about Carl. I am fortunate enough to live a few miles from him. A few years ago he GAVE me his time in lessons to help me get started. A real great guy! Thanks Carl.
David

Allen Peterson · Post by **Allen Peterson** » 23 Jun 2002 7:42 am

Colin,

Where in Derbyshire do you live? Most of my English ancestors lived around New Mills and Hayfield in the Peak District. They were primarily sheep farmers until the 19th century, then they went to mining coal on Ollersett Moor near Chapel en le Frith. I'm planning on going to England in the fall or early next year. Maybe I could bring you some PSG material.

Colin Keyworth · Post by **Colin Keyworth** » 23 Jun 2002 11:58 am

Allen,I woz born about five miles from chapel-en-le frith & lived there for the beginning part of my life.It really is a small world,our bass player lives in chapel & over the past 30 years my dad has done many a gig in chapel working mens club,town hall(home of the lime valley country music club run by my folks).The website below is the bands website,it is still under construction so it's a bit basic at the moment.keep in touch maybe when you visit we can get together & have a jam.Best wishes -Col

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Sho-Bud LDGsp,levinson Blade,Fender Blues De-ville,Boss GT-3 <A HREF="http://www.colyn.supanet.com

" TARGET=_blank>www.colyn.supanet.com

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Steve Schaefer · Post by **Steve Schaefer** » 24 Jun 2002 3:36 am

You are all corrected about Carl. I had the unbelievable luck of stumbling across Carl in my search for an instructor. His knowledge of the instrument and his willingness to help other seem to be endless.

Steve

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 25 Jun 2002 10:44 am

In answer to the original question:

"At the bottom,& I'm "steel" there!"

Bob Hayes · Post by **Bob Hayes** » 25 Jun 2002 7:27 pm

I started in My Closet. Now I have a small bedroom that I call my prctic room.....
Seriously....Right hand placement....and blocking...STIll WORKING ON IT AFTER (?)YEARS..lEDT HAND AND BAR...CHORD(STRING) GROUPINGS. PEDAL AND kNEE LEVERS CORESSPONDING TO CHORDS AND NOTES. I'M VERY MUCH A BELIEVER IN LEARNING AND KNOW THE MAKE UP OF EACH CHORD, HOW TO GET A MINOR ..7TH,6TH..ETC,,IN VARIOUS NECK POSITIONS..kIND OF LIKE BUILDING A HOUSE..fOUNDATION, WALLS ,ROOF,WINDOWS, DOORS, THEN GET INTO THE WIRING,havc,WATER,GAS ETC, AND WINDOW DRESSING. But don't take my word for it.If I knew antthing..I would BE SOMEWHERE!

J Fletcher · Post by **J Fletcher** » 26 Jun 2002 12:13 pm

If you don't already have it, get the Winnie Winston / Bill Keith book "Pedal Steel Guitar". The best single book on everything, well just about everything, you need to know to play E9 pedal steel guitar. Best money you can possibly spend...Jerry