Why young folks are not learning steel guitar

[Michael Sawyer]

I don't think many young people are learning to play any instrument, compared to 30-40 years ago,in my neck of the woods.
Live music was a BIG thang here in NC many moons ago.
Not no mo'.

[Dustin Rhodes]

I don't think many young people are learning to play any instrument, compared to 30-40 years ago,in my neck of the woods.
Live music was a BIG thang here in NC many moons ago.
Not no mo'.

Playing music is possibly more popular than ever. Playing music out live is not.

[Dustin Rhodes]

really simple if it's not computer related young folks don't want anything to do with it. to much work

I've always found that a great way to attract young people is to make comments on how lazy they are.

Also for the record every single incident I've run across in my career of someone refusing to put in the work and learn something new because their job required it was with people over the age of 50...

[Curt Trisko]

really simple if it's not computer related young folks don't want anything to do with it. to much work

Also for the record every single incident I've run across in my career of someone refusing to put in the work and learn something new because their job required it was with people over the age of 50...

I won't add fuel to that fire, but gravitating to new software and learning how to use it is a great quality for a musician. Many people on this forum would get really bitter to see teenagers with much less music knowledge and practice than them create more complete-sounding music productions than they have been able to create in their entire lives - simply because they bothered to learn how to use music applications.

[Fred Treece]

The OP’s premise is based on an ageist stereotype. It only makes sense that the thread would turn into a generational pxssxng contest.

[Dustin Rhodes]

really simple if it's not computer related young folks don't want anything to do with it. to much work

Also for the record every single incident I've run across in my career of someone refusing to put in the work and learn something new because their job required it was with people over the age of 50...

I won't add fuel to that fire, but gravitating to new software and learning how to use it is a great quality for a musician. Many people on this forum would get really bitter to see teenagers with much less music knowledge and practice than them create more complete-sounding music productions than they have been able to create in their entire lives - simply because they bothered to learn how to use music applications.

Something I see a lot with younger musicians too is an eye towards whole arrangements. Lots of these kids putting out guitar music today are also doing serious work programming drums and triggering synths with things like ableton. I mean you have young musicians with their entire composition mapped to the point that their software switches their sound presets on their axefx or kemper according to the arrangement. That takes real work and time.

[Terry Perry]

I did a forum search for Kemper, and this is one of the threads it turned up. Not what I was searching for, but it turned out interesting enough I read all four pages.

I gotta say, you all are some of the most civil, polite bunch on the web. When I get tired of all the garbage in the other music/gear related forums, I come here for some peace and friendly people.

At 62, I may be too old to take up Pedal Steel Guitar. I might give a try anyway.

[Paul Wade]

I did a forum search for Kemper, and this is one of the threads it turned up. Not what I was searching for, but it turned out interesting enough I read all four pages.

I gotta say, you all are some of the most civil, polite bunch on the web. When I get tired of all the garbage in the other music/gear related forums, I come here for some peace and friendly people.

At 62, I may be too old to take up Pedal Steel Guitar. I might give a try anyway.

Terry you are never to old to learn pedal steel.
"Growing Bolder'
P.w

[George Seymour]

If your really concerned that it is not being played, I have to ask what you are doing about it.

I suggest selling your spare ones to younger players at a dramatic discount. [/quote

There will be a flood of steel guitars on the market in the next ten years...happening already... and even in the heyday.. it’s been a small fraternity

[Bruce Bjork]

I did a forum search for Kemper, and this is one of the threads it turned up. Not what I was searching for, but it turned out interesting enough I read all four pages.

I gotta say, you all are some of the most civil, polite bunch on the web. When I get tired of all the garbage in the other music/gear related forums, I come here for some peace and friendly people.

At 62, I may be too old to take up Pedal Steel Guitar. I might give a try anyway.

You’re never too old, I took it up three years ago at the age of 70, now playing in a great modern country band on banjo, guitar and PEDAL STEEL..

[Buck Reid]

In my teachings, I meet new young players on a weekly basis. About half of them are really serious and not just scratching the surface. It's inspiring to see so much young talent!

[Darrell Criswell]

I have a suspicion that unfretted instruments like steel and fiddle may present more difficult issues with intonation both for players and listeners. Simpler music may just be more appealing to people who don't listen a lot. After having attended many steel shows I notice I hear many players whose playing is somewhat dissonant to my ears, particularly when there is not a vocalist. But maybe this isn't an issue, just wanted to see what other people thought.

[Curt Trisko]

I have a suspicion that unfretted instruments like steel and fiddle may present more difficult issues with intonation both for players and listeners. Simpler music may just be more appealing to people who don't listen a lot. After having attended many steel shows I notice I hear many players whose playing is somewhat dissonant to my ears, particularly when there is not a vocalist. But maybe this isn't an issue, just wanted to see what other people thought.

Totally. It adds one more thing to be mindful of when playing... as if playing steel didn't already require you to be thinking a dozen different ways at once. I did some home recording this weekend where I only noticed a day later that a harmonic I played was dissonant. The further away in range from another instrument you play, the easier it is to not catch that dissonance as you're playing it. I suppose that means it's also easier for most casual listeners not to hear it either. For all I know, that could also be an effect of having the fuzziness of other instruments cover your own intonation when you are in their range.

[Liam Sullins]

I'll say this, at least for me. I started to get into country about 4-5 years ago, my first CD was George Jones. After that I was hooked. Then about 3 years ago I wanted to play guitar. Don Rich is one of my heroes, along with Conway, and George. Many others like Charley Pride, Loretta Lynn, Connie Smith, Adams Brothers, Johnny Paycheck, and tons of other people. The 60s is where country thrived for me. The sounds that studio musicians came up with back then were just astonishing. That led me to start learning steel, I've had it for about a month and I play for hours at a time everyday. I may not know a lot of licks but I do enjoy learning some like, Just Between Me and You by Charley Pride. Lloyd Green played on the In Person at Panther Hall. Sweet album. Guys like Buddy Emmons, and Buddy Charleton whop played with Tubbs are one of the main reasons why I picked up steel too. Landing the plane here, I think kids my age (16) are more into rap and pop music than real music.

[David Ball]

Back when my son was still a youngster (he's closing in on 40 now...), he had been playing electric guitar mostly as well as french horn. One day he came to me and said, "Dad, there aren't many folks my age playing banjo. Can I borrow one?" Of course the answer was "yes," and he ended up playing a lot better banjo and fiddle than I ever did. He still plays electric guitar too, but so do I.

Our family tradition of string band music goes back many generations, and I'm sure that's part of what led my son to move that way too. Kid didn't have a chance! I was the same way. My dad was a professional musician, my granddad built steel guitars among other things, his Mom played guitar etc. But in the absence of such a tradition, I'm glad to see others join the fold.

Dave

[Al Evans]

I thought I'd just chime in and say that I sold my 1976 MSA D-10 Classic a couple of weeks ago -- to someone just starting to learn pedal steel. He looked to be thirty or under, had already found a teacher (who approved the purchase), and sounded like he had every intention of mastering the instrument.

--Al Evans

[John McClung]

The first problem is instrument identification. Even school music teachers where I'm from don't know what a "pedal steel" is. I've had university music students tell me I'm great at playing the theremin or Chapman stick. Less educated people simply tell me I'm great at playing the keyboard guitar. The closest people get is slide guitar or steel pedal. I walked into a music store called "Hobgoblin" which are supposed to be a niche folk instrument store chain here. These guys are trained to know about Chinese Zithers and traditional Greek instruments but ask them anything about pedal steels and they'll look at you blank.

The second problem is cost. The thing is, there is no real way of getting around this. Unless Asian factories build steels in the millions we won't be able to get sub 600 dollar steels. The American and Euro builders are charging very fair prices but people simply can't afford to risk spending thousands on an instrument that their kid might not take to or even wreck (like I did with my first nylon string acoustic as a 9 year old...still got it to show the scars).

The third problem is we need support from the older players. Look, I'm the biggest country guy going. A lot of friends used to joke with me at school that I was a wannabe American. (I was the guy who replaced the tie in my school uniform with a bolo tie for my leavers yearbook photo and wore pseudo cowboy boots to school).

That being said, especially where I'm from not everybody is into honkytonk crying country. The thing is, people come up to me on a regular basis through my Instagram or live saying they love the sound of my pedal steel. Usually when I'm playing more Americana. When discovering their musical tastes, they are into The Stones, The Kinks all types of rock, some pop and rap, etc. No country. The sound of the instrument isn't an issue. I've had young rockers tell me they'd love it in their band and they'd love to learn. I recently cut a Lo-Fi sample as asked by a producer, with steel as the melody.

Us younger players, while we have the chance, we need to push natural sounding steel into other genres. Maybe more ambient mixes but try to keep it sounding like a steel. The older players need to then help us keep it going. Share it about with their kids, grand kids. It would help. I've seen comments on the forum before when people have played less conventional instrumentals and some of them are really derogatory. That being said I've had some nice support when playing Oasis and ABBA covers so it's not all bad. It's just, when I play country personally I get so much more views and comments than if I try pop. The youth have appreciated them though. Just not enough people which is where sharing comes in. Getting the name of the instrument out there really relies on having some viral rock and pop videos on YouTube.

Having influencers on Instagram and places would really help too. Make it cool and attractive.

And then of course...there's actually learning how to play properly and being the best we can.

Very well said, Steven! Thanks for input from a young player. And I appreciate all the insights share by all of you, regarless of age! Lots of wisdom here.

I've been involved with Steel Resolve since its founding by Josh Killian. SR is a non-profit trying to help young folks get started playing steel guitar, not necessarily pedal steel.

The first hurdle we identified is that steel guitar has so little cultural relevance these days, as others have pointed out. That's a huge problem. If kids never hear or see one played, how on earth will they get curious and interested in pursuing it?

The second obstacle is cost of entry. Not much to be done about that, I don't think any steel builders are getting rich at pursuing their passion of building high quality instruments. SR tried to help in that regard, with loaner guitars, low-cost lessons, sometimes free, to little effect.

SR is currently undergoing a thorough rethinking. I'll be combing through this thread for ideas, but feel free to share any new ideas or suggestions you might have with me here, or in a n email (PM's not welcome, sorry): steelguitarlessons@earthlink.net.

If you want to be involved in this project, let me know that, too! It will take involvement and active participation, not just well-intentioned conversations here on the Forum, to make SR and its goals a success,.