Open letter to all; newbies

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 31 Jan 2015 2:16 pm

There's a lot of instruction material available. Some of the very best is the late Jeff Newman's courses. Almost all of us old guys have learned from them.

Jeff's courses are still available from his widow, Fran. She is supporting herself by selling them.

I admit, I love Fran. She has always been very nice to me for many years, and part of the reason I'm writing this is because I want to help her out.

But that has nothing to do with the quality of these courses. You guys and ladies who are trying to learn to play owe it to yourselves to pickup on them.

Ian Rae · Post by **Ian Rae** » 31 Jan 2015 2:31 pm

In the UK they are available from Gerry Hogan in Newbury.

Frank Freniere · Post by **Frank Freniere** » 31 Jan 2015 2:38 pm

Mike Perlowin wrote:There's a lot of instruction material available. Some of the very best is the late Jeff Newman's courses. Almost all of us old guys have learned from them.

Jeff's courses are still available from his widow, Fran. She is supporting herself by selling them.

I admit, I love Fran. She has always been very nice to me for many years, and part of the reason I'm writing this is because I want to help her out.

But that has nothing to do with the quality of these courses. You guys and ladies who are trying to learn to play owe it to yourselves to pickup on them.

+1

Hal Braun · Post by **Hal Braun** » 31 Jan 2015 3:44 pm

For those who aren't sure where to get them.. and they are good..

http://www.jeffran.com/

Antolina · Post by **Antolina** » 31 Jan 2015 4:29 pm

They're not only good.... they're the the best there is.

mike nolan · Post by **mike nolan** » 31 Jan 2015 4:52 pm

And while you are at it.... get a couple of sets of the JF fingerpicks.

John Palumbo · Post by **John Palumbo** » 31 Jan 2015 5:28 pm

I agree absolute best

Walter Bowden · Post by **Walter Bowden** » 31 Jan 2015 8:38 pm

Great products, fair prices, quick ship and a great lady who gives true "personal service" and customer support if you have a problem.

Many players (myself included) consider Jeff's Right Hand Alpha an essential learning tool to avoid developing bad habits that can be hard to "unlearn".

Dave Campbell · Post by **Dave Campbell** » 31 Jan 2015 10:07 pm

i just got home from a gig, and i've only been playing a year and a half. the newman up from the top series gave me a good strong foundation.

Paul Hoaglin · Post by **Paul Hoaglin** » 1 Feb 2015 10:05 pm

Some day I must get Right Hand Alpha. Before it's too late! (It may already be....)

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 2 Feb 2015 9:03 am

While some people may have slight disagreements in technique or approach with some of Jeff's methodology, I really believe you can't go far wrong in starting with any of his methods (like hand positioning and string attack) or technical approaches (like harmony scale and chord application.) Everything he teaches lays a great foundation for commercial playing, and can shortcut years of hunting around to find the fundamentals he lays out. I couldn't agree more with Mike that his courses are a great place to start for the beginner, and revisit for the accomplished player.
His carefully chosen "light on theory" approach always made his method accessible to the largest cross section of students.

Of course Jeff has a well-deserved reputation already as the master teacher on Steel, but as time goes along and his methods remain viable and helpful to so many, I think his legacy will just become further entrenched and appreciated.

I'm so very glad I got to know and study with him.

Mike Vallandigham · Post by **Mike Vallandigham** » 2 Feb 2015 9:07 am

Jeff's instructional stuff is some of the best.
Newbies, get Right Hand Alpha. Thank me later.
Also, the Jeff Newman finger picks are the absolute best, I have a lifetime stock.

And to top it off, Fran is super nice, and takes care of you when you order something.

Wayne Quinn · Post by **Wayne Quinn** » 2 Feb 2015 11:51 am

I have to agree with Mike Perlowin. Jeff Newman courses are great. I had them through the years. and learned a lot from them. I think Jeff had to be one of the best pedal steel teachers around. my opinion . I know any newbie will get something out of his courses and Mark you couldn't have pegged him any better. great.

Antolina · Post by **Antolina** » 2 Feb 2015 11:59 am

You better believe it. Before Jeff I was a muddler. After the first one the steel guitar started making sense.

My suggestion is to start with the techiques course. It will prepare you for all the rest and you'll be making music!

Trust me.

Virginia Jordan · Post by **Virginia Jordan** » 4 Feb 2015 9:32 am

I guess checking this forum every day just entrenched my decision to learn the pedal steel, given to me by my Dad. I'm a 61 yr old recently retired Postmaster. I hope I've got enough patience left to meet this challenge. If I'm going to tackle this intimidating alien instrument I'll start off with these lessons. Might as well start off right. And I'm all about supporting a widow. I'm dragging it out of the case today. Thanks for the instruction links.

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 4 Feb 2015 10:23 am

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EiqHdlayFM
...and he sure could play.
That's something you should know about the person instructing you.

Virginia Jordan · Post by **Virginia Jordan** » 4 Feb 2015 11:02 am

Jeff Newman must've been a Master. Cool video.

Antolina · Post by **Antolina** » 4 Feb 2015 11:14 am

Virginia Jordan wrote:Jeff Newman must've been a Master. Cool video.

That he was

Mike Archer · Post by **Mike Archer** » 4 Feb 2015 2:15 pm

I agree 100% jeffs instruction is second to none

as said in an above post us old guys all have learned from Jeff as for me that ts true

you cant go wrong with Jeff Newmans instructions

Mike A

Don R Brown · Post by **Don R Brown** » 4 Feb 2015 6:07 pm

Virginia, I took up the steel a couple weeks before I turned 63 so you are ahead of me. I agree the Newman courses are very helpful. I'll never be as good as these guys who have been at it 35 or 40 years already, but I enjoy my daily time with the instrument and it is rewarding to see progress even though it does not come as fast as I would like. Go ahead and start learning, and remind yourself the #1 object is to have fun.

Nic du Toit · Post by **Nic du Toit** » 5 Feb 2015 2:03 am

Never too old, or young to learn ....good luck.
Here's some near perfect backing playing..... using the content of a lesson just given.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC9RijH9E5M

Ian Rae · Post by **Ian Rae** » 5 Feb 2015 4:37 am

I'm another sixty-something who's been going a year or two. Right Hand Alpha has made me much more confident - now I know I'm doing that right at least. And it's true what he says in the video; it's not something that gradually comes together - it just suddenly clicks. Can't recommend it too highly.

Dag Wolf · Post by **Dag Wolf** » 5 Feb 2015 1:01 pm

JeffÂ´s teaching are the best. Period.

Michael Mathieson · Post by **Michael Mathieson** » 5 Feb 2015 4:04 pm

OK, I am a rank beginner here. I am open to your suggestions and expertise. I went to the site but am a little confused. Should I start with the "up from the top" series? or start with the first video course on fundamentals? Thanks, Mike

Antolina · Post by **Antolina** » 5 Feb 2015 5:25 pm

The first one you should get is the "Techniques" course. It will lay down the basics and how tos to get a good and proper foundation that's needed before you turn into a muddler.

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Open letter to all; newbies

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