Bakersfield Sound: Is there a "course" teaching it?

James Zurek · Post by **James Zurek** » 2 Jul 2002 9:48 pm

Can anyone recommend a learning course for picking up that Bakersfield sound? I am looking for both videos and tab. I have ordered Winnie’s book to start, but am interested in getting another course that has some degree of emphasis on this style, the more the better. If it teaches Mooney, I would be one happy wannabe steel player...to be.

Thanks!

James Zurek

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 2 Jul 2002 11:36 pm

I teach this style...too bad you're on the west coast.

[This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 03 July 2002 at 12:39 AM.]

Colin Goss · Post by **Colin Goss** » 3 Jul 2002 12:41 am

I used Jeff Newman's course "Music to back up by" which includes a number of "Mooney style" arrangements. It got me started on the mental gymnastics needed to play West Coast.

Scott Howard · Post by **Scott Howard** » 3 Jul 2002 3:22 am

Jeff Newman also has several Woodshed workshops that are done in Mooney style.
#23 Under Your Spell Again
#24 Heartaches By The Number
#46 Swinging Doors
#47 The Bottle Let Me Down

Larry Behm · Post by **Larry Behm** » 3 Jul 2002 4:08 am

Move your right hand back toward the pickkup, turn up the treble on your amp, never play more than two strings at a time.

Larry Behm
503-722-7562

There really is a "west coast" style vs the Nashville style, thanks to Ralph and Tom and JD.

Brad Burch · Post by **Brad Burch** » 3 Jul 2002 4:56 am

Could somebody post a little tab snippet of something that epitomizes this sound?

Post by **Joey Ace** » 3 Jul 2002 5:04 am

Listen to "Under Your Spell Again" at http://users.interlinks.net/rebel/steel/1959.html

Jeff Lampert · Post by **Jeff Lampert** » 3 Jul 2002 6:20 am

Go to the Tablature section and click on the topic "Dwight Yoakam's What Do You Know About Love". There is tab there for the intro and solo, which are a good representation of the Bakersfield sound, albeit modernized a bit. Playing that tab would be a good start.

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 3 Jul 2002 1:35 pm

Excellent advice Larry.

Chris DeBarge · Post by **Chris DeBarge** » 4 Jul 2002 5:03 am

never play more than two strings at a time.

Larry, does this mean I now officially have a "style" ?

Post by **Joey Ace** » 4 Jul 2002 8:38 am

Also, there seems to be an "agressive attitude" playing feel that indentifies Bakersfield-Style, IMO.

I suspect it came from Ralph having to stomp the pedals on those old Fenders.

The smooth sound (example: Nightlife, Mansion on the Hill)is not Bakersfield style.

Dwight's "What Do You Know About Love" is.
(Gary Morse on Steel)

chas smith · Post by **chas smith** » 4 Jul 2002 10:52 am

I suspect it came from Ralph having to stomp the pedals on those old Fenders.

You ever try to play one of those things, you really appreciate how good Ralph is/was.