Music Theory for Pedal Steel Guitar

[Tommy Gibbons]

Where can I get music theory information/instruction that applies to PSG. I'm not interseted in German, French, Italian music terminology and history. Or minuets and cadences unless George or Merle does'em

Any help will be appreciated.

Tommy

[Bob Blair]

Forumite Mike Perlowin produced an impressive work on theory related to the E9th tuning. Maybe Mike will chime in and tell us if and where it is available.

[Michael Maddex]

Winnie Winston covers theory as well as technique in his most excellent book.



Available from b0b, just click the Instruction link at the top of the page.

HTH.

[Ron Page]

Tommy,

I have both Mike's and Winnie's books and they are both great. I think Mike's is more centered on what you're asking for. I think Mike's book most recently issued under Mel Bay. Mine is the earlier version.

[Earnest Bovine]

I'm not interseted in German, French, Italian music terminology and history.

On the other hand, there are some great Austrians you might like.

[Mike Perlowin]

My book, entitled "Music Theory In The Real World; A practical Guide for Today's Musicians" is available from Mel Bay Publications.

I also wrote a supplement for steel, with tabbed out exampled from the book and an explanation of how the concepts in the book relate to what the pedals do.

I will send the PDF file for free to anybody wants it.

There's a thread about this in the Steel Players section where I talk about it at greater length.


And Tommy, don't worry, it's all in English.

[Duncan Hodge]

Hey Mike,
If it's not too much trouble, I'd love to have a copy of that theoretical PDF. Thanks in advance,
Duncan

[Mike Perlowin]

Duncan, (and everybody else) you have to send me an E-mail in order for me to send you the file. I can't do it through the forum. I have to do it by replying to your E-mail and attaching the file.

[Scott Kilpatrick]

Hi Mike, i know this is an old thread - but you wouldnt by chance still have that PDF would you - i would love to have it if possible. my email is
scott.kilpatrick3@gmail.com

I have the jeffran college E9 chord dictionary but Jeff really doesnt go too into the makeups of the chords - which i would like to know.

Thanks

[Mike Perlowin]

Scott (and everybody else,) Yes, I still have it. But I have 2 different files that I give away. One is the supplement to the book. It's mostly about how the concepts discussed in the book relate to the pedal changes, and is pretty much worthless without the book.

The other is the short article on how to read music on the E9 neck. I'd be happy to send you (or anybody else) either file. Please tell me which one you want.

While I'm here, I want to recommend Mark Van Allen's course, in addition to mine. Mark's course, as I mentioned earlier, focuses on the steel, (as does my supplement) wile my book is a general treatise on the mathematical relationships between notes and how they form scales and chords.

Mark did an excellent job, and there is much to be learned from his course. We are sort of in competition with each other, but I think everybody who wants to learn more about this stuff should get both his course and my book.

[James Sission]

Mark Van Allen has a 2 CD course on E9 theory.
I have gotten a lot of use from it.

Mike's course is VERY good.

http://www.markvanallen.com/

[Douglas Schuch]

Mike's book is available on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Mel-Music-Theory- ... real+world

[Mark van Allen]

Thanks, James.
Tommy, I've gotten a lot of very positive feedback on my E9 Theory course. I base it on understanding both your own guitar and the music going on around you via the number system. The stuff I use every day in the studio and on the bandstand.
Let me know if I can be of help!

[Rick Myrland]

Two thumbs up for Mark Van Allen's course. Easy to follow and you'll get the kind of information you can put into action immediately.

[Fred Glave]

I have a fairly good understanding of basic music theory. What I've been looking for is something that easily demonstrates different voicings and their locations on the 10 string E9 neck. In other words (for me) there are a lot of unique diad and triad inversions on the steel that are not always intuitive to the ear musician.

[Mark van Allen]

Also in my E9 Theory course, Fred.

[Ron Taylor]

Last year I bought Mike's book, Winnie's book, and Mark's CD set. All are excellent. Still reading and digesting both books because life is busy and time is short, plus need to fit in practice time. The CD's have been played many, many times in my car as I commute back and forth to work. Even with many listenings, I'm still digesting the material and learning new ideas to practice with.

Mark's CD set has taught me about the harmonic scales, and different ways to play them. Then I ported that over to my nonpedal console and can play different versions of it there in diads as well.

All of the above are recommended and totally worth the reasonable costs!

[Daniel Policarpo]

I am as guilty as anyone for bypassing thinking/reading time regarding steel theory in favor of putting in play time. But over the last couple months I've found some serious benefit to taking the time and sit and understand how chords and the mechanics of the pedal steel work through basic music theory. Even just a little bit of pen and paper work can go a long way for new guys/gals in their understanding of this instrument, or any instrument. well, except maybe a banjo.