My first year or so with Pedal Steel

[Pete Nicholls]

I have documented my progress since first starting to play pedal steel in May 2012 at Soundcloud. There are 35 tracks there, with the most current on top, and the oldest one (about a year old now) on the bottom.

While I have learned a lot of songs, I still am not happy with my technique. While I am playing it seems ok, but when playing back after recording, it sounds pretty amateurish! I hope this will resolve in time, but if anyone has suggestions, I am all ears! I have picked up a lot on this forum during the past year or so, and am thankful for this resource.

https://soundcloud.com/petenicholls

[Paul King]

Pete, You are coming along just fine. This is a difficult instrument to play and getting clean and smooth takes time and a lot of playing time. The best thing you can do is play with other musicians. After 34 years of playing recording is not my strong suite. You be encouraged and keep playing and look back in another year and you will be surprised how much you have improved. I play many licks I did 25 years ago but today they are much cleaner and smoother and you will be no different. Last but not least, let it be the most fun you have ever had. Steel guitar has brought me many years of enjoyment and many friends which to me is priceless.

[Daniel Policarpo]

Hey Peter, you sound pretty good to me! I just posted a couple samples of where I am at after a year ( I didn't have the guts to post a whole song) and you sound confident and have a good command of foundation elements, like blocking and bar control, that are much more important than things like speed or technical acrobatic maneuvers. It always comes back to the song, and if people can recognize what you are playing and like it, your doing pretty good in my book. Nice cloud stream you have going!
-Dan

[Paul MacNabb]

I'm on week 3 and can tell you that if I can play like that in 14 months I'll feel pretty good about it!

[Joseph Barcus]

I dont see anything wrong , nice tone , nice tracks to play with. I have never tried playing anything dont have any tracks for one lol but very nice indeed

[Pete Nicholls]

Thanks to all for the replies, also received some tips via email, so look forward to working in the suggestions to improve my technique.

Cheers!

[Richard Jundt]

Sounds good Pete, gives me hope, I am about 4 mos in.
Good sounding R/Tracks too.

[Pete Nicholls]

Thanks Richard, let me know if you want any of the tracks.

[Carl Kilmer]

Hey Pete, Your coming along great. It's a long winding road,
and getting around the curves without sliding off is not easy.
Take it slow, and if you need help, you can always get it here.
I think for only playing for a year, you've accomplished a lot.
Check you're email..............Carl "Lucky" Kilmer

[Ray DeVoe]

Hey Guys

I met Pete right before he bought his fist steel and he is a very talented fellow. Pete was originally looking to buy a non pedal steel and I convinced him to take the plunge and buy the real deal if he wanted the "pedal steel" sound.

Pete and I have been friends ever since that time. His progress has been superb. Once time and practice improves his technique, he will become a very good steel player.

Congratulations Pete on your progress.

Ray D.

[Carl Kilmer]

Hey Ray, don't this remind you of our good old days in Pa.
Since my accident, I'm still relearning at the start again.
Pete, Ray is a wonderful friend to have. He'll guide you right.
Carl "Lucky" Kilmer