Foundation/Method Blocking Question

Alex Stewart · From: California, USA

Hello-

I am just starting out at age 66. I have owned my Stage One for a whole tree weeks now and am using the Paul Franklin Foundation series to get me on the right path. I have a strong theory background from other instruments and I spent a lot of time before I received my steel learning the strings, groups and intervals.

I can see this will take a lot of time and I am excited about putting the time in. For those of you that are enrolled in the Paul Franklin Method series (which I plan to do eventually) does Paul go into more detail about blocking than he does in the Foundation series? Perhaps blocking, in general, is something that should be put off until later. Like after bar control (very hard for me to pick up) and rolls/arpeggios...and the multitude of other 'foundational' techniques.

Thanks-Alex

Paul Sutherland · From: Placerville, California

Blocking should be confronted and worked on from Day One.
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Justin Emmert · From: Greensboro, NC

I'm not sure what's in the foundational series, but he covers blocking well in th method. Clean blocking is the foundation for arpeggios and rolls. I practice my blocking as a warmup every time I sit at the guitar.

Alex Stewart · From: California, USA

Thanks guys.

In the Foundation Series, it is pretty much just an overview with no exercises. Glad to hear it is covered more in the Method Series!

Ian Rae · From: Redditch, England

Blocking is basic, like tonguing on a wind instrument or bow control on strings - so like Paul says. And Justin.
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John Spaulding · From: Wisconsin, USA

From Paul:

Hi Alex -

Thanks for signing up for the Foundations course! One of the Takeaways after the Blocking lesson is to go back and play all of the previously studied exercises that you were playing legato - no blocking - as blocking exercises.

On top of that, I added a new lesson called "Picking and Blocking Exercises" so that they are all in one place for you. There is a TAB and some practice tips that will keep you busy!

Thanks,

Paul

Dave Campbell · From: Nova Scotia, Canada

the more time i spend with paul franklin's method, both on the material site and the accompanying facebook page, the more i'm impressed and inspired by him. this is no vanity project, hot licks video or profit driven legacy thing; paul seems deeply passionate about this, and i'm always surprised about the detail and length of his responses to student questions. everything he says and posts is deeply rooted in a very well thought out philosophy about music and becoming and being a musician. the paul franklin method is the best to happen to the steel guitar for a long time.

Alex Stewart · From: California, USA

Thanks Dave, John and Ian.

I agree, Dave, that there is no ego at all involved in Paul Franklin's lessons.

Thanks John for passing my query on to Paul. I certainly appreciate the feedback! I'll have to pay closer attention.

Ian-'tonguing on a wind instrument' I can relate to, as my main instrument is sax.

John Goux · From: California, USA

Congrats Alex.
The best thing to do as a beginning pedal steel player, and as an experienced musician, is to play gigs as soon as possible. Be prepared to embarrass yourself on the first outing, but you will learn so much valuable information by way of playing music.
If you canâ€™t gig, find a friend who plays acoustic guitar and sings, and invite them over.
Also, buy play along tracks.

Your musicianship is going to carry you a long ways. It will lead you to find solutions to your technical questions.

I attended Paulâ€™s recent day long seminar in Dallas. Iâ€™m automatically enrolled in the E9 foundations course. Iâ€™ve not spent much time on it. The first hour was very basic.

I did ask the question at the seminar, â€œare you going to cover right hand today?â€. And Paul answered, that it will be in the course.
So if right hand blocking is not in the foundations course, Iâ€™m surprised to hear that.
But I canâ€™t say, as I havenâ€™t made it through the foundations info yet.

Good luck with your new instrument. Have fun with it!
John

Alex Stewart · From: California, USA

Thanks John,

Yes, blocking is in the course. I just managed to miss the entirety of it. I think all the information is there, it is just a matter of putting it into practice.

Cool that you were able to attend that seminar!

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