Whats the best advise you received when learning to play

Jamie Lennon · Post by **Jamie Lennon** » 3 Aug 2002 12:37 am

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 3 Aug 2002 1:10 am

The best advise I was given was after I had been playing for many years. It was from Jeff Newman and it was at a Steel Seminar in NYC early 70's or so. , this probably 10 years after I had been playing guitar and was now learning Pedal Steel.

" Now that you've learned how to play, learn when not to play"

Sounds pretty simple but the execution is a killer ! This rule is in direct controversy to what many working guitar players subscribe which is, play your licks, then play em' all again, then play em' all again real loud just to be certain everyone heard them !

I sadly speak with experience here !

tp
" Don't ask me to put down my Tele'"

TPrior/SteelGuitarHomesite

[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 03 August 2002 at 06:10 AM.]

Johan Jansen · Post by **Johan Jansen** » 3 Aug 2002 2:37 am

Jamie, if you have the chance, find a good teacher.As soon as you learn a right hand technique that works for you, don't fall back in fooling around on the steel in a nono

technique that doesn't work right. Your new technique needs to settle and "wrong" things will stay in it's way then. Your system needs to programm itself and it's harder for your brain and nerves to forget something,then learning something new.
Also, visit the seminars on steeldays 2002 !
JJ www.steeljj.com

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my web-site
my bands CODand TSC

[This message was edited by Johan Jansen on 03 August 2002 at 04:22 AM.]

Ron Randall · Post by **Ron Randall** » 3 Aug 2002 9:19 am

Best advice when learning?

Right hand technique. I was lucky that I got good advice early. I was doing it all wrong.

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Fender Stringmaster T-8
Fender Strat
8 string Benoit

Marty Pollard · Post by **Marty Pollard** » 3 Aug 2002 9:21 am

Chuck Rainey told me:
1. It's ALL I and V
2. You're never more than a half step from the right note.
3. It's most difficult to play slowly.

Oops, forgot the REAL #1: Tune that damn thing![This message was edited by Marty Pollard on 03 August 2002 at 10:26 AM.]

Michael Johnstone · Post by **Michael Johnstone** » 3 Aug 2002 9:29 am

Wiggle your fingers and hit the right strings.....

Jimmy Dale · Post by **Jimmy Dale** » 3 Aug 2002 9:48 am

BE YOURSELF! Don't try to copy some one else unless all you want to do is sound like them. It's fine to copy a "signature lick", a lick that a particular song is recognized by, but then make everything else in the song sound like you.If you copy someone else all the time, you will never become creative in your own right. That advice was given to us "slugs" in one of Buddy's seminars, mid 80's. Jim Miller I'D RATHER BE STEELIN'

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 3 Aug 2002 10:02 am

"Don't quit your day-job."

Reggie Duncan · Post by **Reggie Duncan** » 3 Aug 2002 10:39 am

K-eep
I-t
S-imple
S-tupid![This message was edited by Reggie Duncan on 03 August 2002 at 11:42 AM.]

Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 3 Aug 2002 11:36 am

I remember when I started playing steel, every steel player would tell me, "don't give up, even though your left hand doesn't work too well." I remember this advice every day when I sit behind my Emmons steel. I tell myself a lot of times, "if other steel players can play, I can too." Every day I practice hard on steel. I'm so glad I decided to play steel guitar, because I'm a huge fan of country music. I'm glad to be in this steel guitar community! Brett Day, Emmons S-10

Gary Lee Gimble · Post by **Gary Lee Gimble** » 3 Aug 2002 12:12 pm

"Don't quit your day-job."

I'll remind my wife

Barbara Hennerman · Post by **Barbara Hennerman** » 3 Aug 2002 1:06 pm

Jerry Byrd told me not to copy anyone .... be yourself (someone just said that)and play what you feel and remember .... Less is More

Jim West · Post by **Jim West** » 3 Aug 2002 2:43 pm

Be sure to have on clean underwear.

B Bailey Brown · Post by **B Bailey Brown** » 3 Aug 2002 9:30 pm

Good question! I think the best advise I ever got came from Jerry Blanton, who was one of my early mentors, a great steel player in his own right and a guy that always “tells it like it is”!

He mentioned to me one day that “So and So” was looking for a steel man for his band and maybe I should call him. I forget who it was, but it was a group I knew well, and it was full of GREAT players. In those days I did not have a lot of confidence in my playing and was easily intimidated. I said something like “Oh gosh (shuffling my feet on the floor), those guys are really good…I could never play with them!” He stopped me right there, stuck his finger right in my face, and said…

“BULL**#*!! ALWAYS surround yourself with BETTER players. If you have what it takes you will rise to the occasion, come up to their level, and learn from them. You already know how to play steel but they will teach you about MUSIC! What to play, and when to play it!”

I followed his advice and sure enough…he was right! I learned a lot from the guys I have worked with over the years. I have found that most really good players are also good people. They are happy to give advise to someone who has enough sense to play what they “know” how to play, and then ask for advise or listen to constructive criticism when it is offered.

B. Bailey Brown

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 4 Aug 2002 12:22 am

i never got any advice from anybody so i'll catch up w: all i've missed on this Neet thread... Thanx Jamie
Steel what?

Sidney Malone · Post by **Sidney Malone** » 4 Aug 2002 3:22 am

The first best advice I got was from Pee Wee Whitewing when he told me to go take lessons from Maurice Anderson. I took that advice and then I got many hours of advice from Reece that I will use as long as I play, not to mention a great friendship!!

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 4 Aug 2002 4:34 am

A band I was in opened for "Uncle" Josh Graves in the mid 70's...

He was imbibin' pretty heavily from sound check on... after our set he came up to me on his way to the stage, pulled me aside, gripped my arm VERY firmly, got right up in my face and said:

"Son... don't you EVER let ANYONE tell you WHAT to play!!!"

I said "Yes SIR Mr Graves!" and have tried to live those instructions since...

he made quite an impression...

Chris Forbes · Post by **Chris Forbes** » 4 Aug 2002 4:47 am

This advice saved my life when I was starting out, "don't play that damn thing when I'm home or I'll kill you!!!." I heeded that advice and I'm still here today to tell all of you![This message was edited by Chris Forbes on 04 August 2002 at 05:48 AM.]

Pat Jenkins · Post by **Pat Jenkins** » 4 Aug 2002 5:07 am

Keep at it, boy, you'll get better. Shows you how bad I used to be. LOL Pat

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 4 Aug 2002 5:19 am

DVA, that explains a lot of things...

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 4 Aug 2002 5:47 am

The best advice I ever got came from a teacher that I took some lessons from as I was just learning. He told me I should attend Jeffran College in Nashville...
Best money I ever spent...

Andy Greatrix · Post by **Andy Greatrix** » 4 Aug 2002 6:36 am

The best advice I got was from Ronnie Hawkins, who said"Learn your craft, save your money, and never believe your own BS!"

Jeff Coffell · Post by **Jeff Coffell** » 4 Aug 2002 6:40 am

GO STRAIGHT TO JEFF NEWMAN'S SCHOOL I did and I'm doing great. Played six string all my life and started steel about 2 years ago. I don't really ignore what my steeling friends tell me, but I never forget what Jeff told me and continues to tell me. I've had 2 top gun sessions and am getting another in March. The best investment I've ever made in music.

Jeff "PLUMB COUNTRY" Coffell[This message was edited by Jeff Coffell on 05 August 2002 at 08:12 PM.]

ajm · Post by **ajm** » 4 Aug 2002 8:12 am

All of the above comments are valid.

One thing that I've never regretted is going to the ISGC in St. Louis. You'll be immersed in the PSG for 4 days in a great location. It will probably turn you from a "fan" into a "fanatic". And by all means, if you go sign up for Jeff Newmans' seminar.

Bob Watson · Post by **Bob Watson** » 4 Aug 2002 1:30 pm

I living in Nashville at the time and I was sitting in at a jam session at a bar called the Rose Room. I was playing Jay Shupe's Sho Bud, and afterwards Jay came up an gave me an encouraging compliment, and then told me I should pick harder. It sounds like simple advice but it really helped my playing. I haven't seen Jay for quite some time, but if your out there, thanks again for the advice.