My Experience with Steel Resolve

Jonah Turner · Post by **Jonah Turner** » 31 Oct 2016 3:54 am

I got my steel guitar about two years ago (I was 15) from Dick Hitchcock, a really nice player from rural Nebraska that took great care of his guitar. Unfortunately, in my metropolitan area of about 1 million people and the state capitol I couldn't find a single pedal steel player, let alone teacher, and none of the local music stores had anything in the way of pedal steel equipment. For close to a year, I had a terrible time with my steel. I couldn't bend the Dunlop picks right to save my life, I used a funny dobro bar and I couldn't make sense of what any of the pedals or levers on my guitar could do. I didn't understand the difference between Emmons and Day, so some of the instruction on YouTube left me more confused as I tried to copy the video. It was a pretty abysmal experience, but hearing steel on my favorite songs kept me going.

Then I found the Steel Guitar Forum, and I thought all of my troubles had been solved. With a database this large, what more would I need to know? I ordered my first set of National picks and had more success than I had ever had with Dunlops. I saw a picture of a normal bar and bought a heavy Ernie Ball bar, and my playing really picked up. I soon hit another road block however, and I struggled with wrapping my head around going between positions and finding how to incorporate more of my levers in my playing.

This is where Steel Resolve came in. I saw Josh Killian's first post on it and jumped at the opportunity. An online steel teacher was perfect for me, and it wasn't long before I had my first lesson with John McClung. I got a glimpse of the comprehensive lesson plan he had in store for me and I wanted to read all of it. Steel Resolve also gave me access to materials I had never used before, like Jeff Newman's Right Hand Alpha course and a book titled How To Play By Ear. Since my first lesson I've become much more confident in my playing, and I'm practicing every day to try to keep improving.

Steel Resolve has had a tremendous impact on my musicianship, and to those who have made my experience possible, thank you.

Regards,
Jonah Turner

Don R Brown · Post by **Don R Brown** » 31 Oct 2016 5:53 am

Unfortunately, in my metropolitan area of about 1 million people and the state capitol I couldn't find a single pedal steel player,

Hey Jonah, do a sort by location on the forum memberlist, and you'll find 7 steel players from Omaha. Maybe you can connect with some of them.

Dick Hitchcock · Post by **Dick Hitchcock** » 31 Oct 2016 9:43 am

Jonah.....Sorry to hear you had such a time getting started with the steel. Sure wish I was closer, as I know I could help you quite a bit.....I have not met John McClung yet, but he has a section in the newsletter for the SWSGA...Also, I have heard nothing but good about his teaching....Hope to meet him in Phoenix this year....Haven't heard about Millard yet, but if we do play, I will let you know....Hang right in there buddy!!!Dick.

ajm · Post by **ajm** » 31 Oct 2016 12:13 pm

Jonah:

In addition to the Omaha members, there are even more in Lincoln. As was said, search the forum member list.

However, not being critical of anyone, but the list does not really provide for efficient searching. It would take a lot of work to modify this to make it friendlier, so it's probably not worth it.

Whenever the information is/was entered, it is sorted alphabetically by the first character. So, sorting for Lincoln, Nebraska will be in a completely different area/page than Nebraska, Lincoln. And suburbs of Lincoln or Omaha or other nearby towns will be in other pages as well.

There are 272 pages of names. You are going to need to be creative with your searches. Good luck.

PS- I am originally from Omaha (35+ years ago). At that time I only knew of two other steel players (Omaha and Tekamah), and I have a feeling that they may not be doing it any more.

Don R Brown · Post by **Don R Brown** » 31 Oct 2016 3:41 pm

ajm wrote: In addition to the Omaha members, there are even more in Lincoln. As was said, search the forum member list.

Crap! I didn't verify, I "knew" Omaha was the capital. Guess it's been too many decades since geography class!

ajm · Post by **ajm** » 31 Oct 2016 4:02 pm

Don: There must be some confusion with the geography, or the posts, or both.

Lincoln is still the capital. I believe that in the total Omaha-Lincoln metro area there are a million or so people.

Jonah Turner · Post by **Jonah Turner** » 31 Oct 2016 5:11 pm

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I never thought to search on the forum, and it's probably more reliable than asking around at music stores. Combining Omaha, Council Bluffs and Omaha suburbs, there are about a million people, and Lincoln is about 250,000.

Dick, I hope you come to Millard again this year, and if there's anything in Omaha it'd definitely be worth a trek. I've also heard of a guy playing in a band in Louisville but I haven't checked him out yet. McClung is a great guy, and I hope to meet him in Phoenix not this year but possibly the next. See you soon!
Jonah

Don R Brown · Post by **Don R Brown** » 31 Oct 2016 5:57 pm

ajm wrote:Don: There must be some confusion with the geography, or the posts, or both.

Lincoln is still the capital. I believe that in the total Omaha-Lincoln metro area there are a million or so people.

My ignorance IS showing! I had to check a map to see where each of those cities lies in relation to the other. I think I have it figured out now.

I will have to put Nebraska on the list of states to visit next time we're planning a vacation - nothing like going there to help learn your way around.

Josh Killian · Post by **Josh Killian** » 2 Nov 2016 8:08 am

Hey Jonah, I'm happy Steel Resolve was able to help and we are very glad to have you as a student. John has been really impressed with your development. We hope to be hearing you out playing soon!

We are here to help any young person with the desire to play but is having difficulty progressing due location or financial roadblocks. If you know of a kid that needs some help, send them our way. My email is josh@steelresolve.org and my number is 352-328-6803.

Also, we are still looking for dedicated teachers, especially lap steel and dobro teachers. If you are willing to teach via Skype or some other video conferencing, all the better. If you are interested, contact me at the above email or number.