Newbie at Large....HELP!!

Joy Wofford · Post by **Joy Wofford** » 22 Jun 2005 8:10 am

Hi. I sure hope a few of you folks will help steer me towards some good help on a lap steel I just bought. From what I've been able to learn on the web, I think it's an old Gibson Royaltone. It's a bit beat up, but so far as I can tell, the electronics are all working on it. Since I was a kid I wanted to learn the lap steel, and for one reason and another just never got around to it. So, here I am with hat in my hand asking for all the help you'll give me. I don't read music, per say. I've always found it much easier to play by ear. I don't play a guitar, and I have a strong feeling that's going to make it more difficult to figure the lap out. I've investigated some books, opened the cover and just went YIKES!! I hope you will recommend a book or video that is written in plain English, those are the only kind of lessons that my budget will allow. OK. Putting this post out there, hoping for the best. Thanks ahead of time to everyone, and I'm looking forward to getting to know some of you.

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 22 Jun 2005 8:33 am

Hi Joy, and bless you for your desire to play a steel guitar without musical instruction or formal lessons.

Find a CD of what you would like to sound like and play it over and over while you play along with it, until you sound like it.

That's the original way to learn to play, but you will receive many other suggestions from sucessful players of recent vintage. All of the suggestions to follow will be worth your investigation. Good Luck!

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<img height=100 width=93 src=http://genejones.bizland.com/Scan10345.jpg>
www.genejones.com

Larry Phleger · Post by **Larry Phleger** » 22 Jun 2005 8:54 am

Cindy Cashdollar has 2 videos that you may be interested in. They are usually available on Ebay. They may get you started on the right foot.. I believe they deal with the C6 tuning.

Joy Wofford · Post by **Joy Wofford** » 22 Jun 2005 9:08 am

Hello Gene and Larry. Thanks so much for the quick reply. Gene, I'm going to pick up a couple of CD's this week. I took a look and a listen to your homepage...I'm in awe. Thanks for the inspiration!
Larry, I had seen those Cashdollar videos for sale on Ebay, but had disregarded them thinking they were only for Pedal Steel. Glad you mentioned them or I would've never considered them for the lap.
Thanks again to both you and Gene.

Terry Farmer · Post by **Terry Farmer** » 22 Jun 2005 9:32 am

Joy, in my opinion, Cindy's videos are some of the best out there. They helped me get started. You can use them for 6 or 8 string C6 tuning. For your six stringer, tune cegace low to high. This is lap steel instruction at it's finest.

Ron Victoria · Post by **Ron Victoria** » 22 Jun 2005 9:55 am

Joy, are you the one who outbid me on that maple royaltone a few weeks ago? Someone got me by $6 within the last 10 seconds. Don't feel bad, I was able to get another one. Good luck on your road to steelhood.

Ron

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 22 Jun 2005 10:07 am

Hi Joy, welcome to the forum and to the steel guitar.[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 22 June 2005 at 12:01 PM.]

Joy Wofford · Post by **Joy Wofford** » 22 Jun 2005 10:09 am

Hey Terry, thanks for your reply as well. I guess the concensus is to get Cindy's tapes..so I'm going to do that for starters. Nope Ron, wasn't me that outbid you. Story behind mine is this...My husband and I were out driving and I had just been lamenting to him for the millionth time how much I wanted to get a lap steel. We were going past a yard sale, and I thought I saw a nice instrument case on the table. I needed one for a couple of other things I have. Anyway, I walked up to this table and there it was. Of course I figured it was going to be way beyond our finances, but I asked the man how much? He said "well, my dad played that thing for years on the radio outta Ft. Wayne, and it's in pretty sorry shape. Do ya think $20 is too much for it? If ya do, make me another offer on it". I about fell over. The $20 was in his hand faster than I've ever moved in my long life! So, that's the story of how it came to be in my hands. Sorry you lost out on your bid for one, but I do have other questions I need help with on it. The fret board is starting to "flake", is there some way I can help it?

Joy Wofford · Post by **Joy Wofford** » 22 Jun 2005 10:54 am

Hi Jim, nice to meet you (AND your revenge!). Thanks for the encouragement. I've been reading all the posts on the forum, and wow, have I got a lot to learn. But the winters are long in Michigan, and so I have plans on hibernating come snowfall, and emerging on the other side of winter with at least a couple of tunes under my belt. I sincerely hope I'm not just dreaming that I can do that. This steel just speaks clear down into your bones, doesn't it? Or shouldn't I say something corny like that on here? Ah well, guess I have said it!

Don Joslin · Post by **Don Joslin** » 22 Jun 2005 11:34 am

Hi Joy -

Welcome to the Forum. Your comment is not "corny" at all - we all feel the steel guitar in our bones.

Cindy's material is nothing short of wonderful. I would also recommend the book "Basic C6th Nonpedal Lap Steel Method" by DeWitt Scott. It comes with a CD and some accompaniment tracks to play along with. It will teach you basic music notation and to read tablature as well. Tablature is a kind of music shorthand that will serve you well in your ear training. You can support the Forum and order it by clicking on "Instruction" at the top of this page. Then scroll down a little ways and click on "Lap Steel Instructional Material".

Good luck - if you stick with it a practice (at least more than I do) you will reap many rewards.

Your neighbor in Minnesota...

Don

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"It's better to be hated for who you are than be loved for who you're not." ~ Van Zant

Please visit my website at www.donjoslin.com
[This message was edited by Don Joslin on 22 June 2005 at 12:35 PM.]

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 22 Jun 2005 12:07 pm

Joy,
What a find. It was meant for you.
I picked up lap steel on my own, and played around with tunings until I found one I liked. But you're bound to do a better job with Cindy's videos. It's an instrument to have fun on. Let us know how it goes.

J Hill · Post by **J Hill** » 22 Jun 2005 12:14 pm

Joy,

Welcome to this wonderful place and thanks for all your good questions. I need the answers too. I'm a beginner on the Pedal Steel and a very-beginner on the Lap Steel. Work hard at this and then share everything you learn with me, okay!

Good Luck!

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 22 Jun 2005 12:36 pm

Welcome to this Great Forum, Joy
it don't get better than this on the way to the steel holy land
yep ! do look into Cindy & Scotty's stuff as mentioned by Don

i too started playin' by ear w; no musikal ed.
i quickly was drawn toward knowin' what made musik tick
the ear is essential & # 1 imo
playin' by the seat of yer pants can be fun & quite uncomfortable too
but knowin the rules & theory of Musik will save you a lot of time in becoming a master of yer instrument
it's important to play w: others so knowledge can be shared
this forum & mucho practice can get you there

so jump on in & have a good one Joy

Joy Wofford · Post by **Joy Wofford** » 22 Jun 2005 12:56 pm

What a wonderful welcome from everyone, thank you. You've got no idea how great it is to read all of your kind words. Don, I'm going to check out DeWitt Scott's items, sounds like something I could really use. I've already decided that Cindy's tapes are a must. Leila, nice to know there is at least one other newbie here, I don't feel so alone anymore. Reading thru all the posts on the forum sure makes one feel humble, huh? It appears that a lot of you are real pros, and I'm not sure you really understand how super it is to get words of encouragement from you all. Just want everyone to know that if there's ever a time I can help you with anything (lol, ya I know), please just ask.
Now, as to my other question, I really need help about the fretboard. I'm afraid to really start using my new baby until I've somehow fixed that problem. Any ideas? Thanks all....Joy[This message was edited by Joy Wofford on 22 June 2005 at 01:57 PM.]

Joy Wofford · Post by **Joy Wofford** » 22 Jun 2005 1:13 pm

Yes Charlie, I think it's important to keep it fun. I'll do my best, thanks. Awwwww CrowBear, I was hopin' to not need to learn written music this late in the game, but I'll keep an open mind to it. I'm determined to learn my way around on this thing, so I'm not leaving out any options. Thanks for the guidance!
Joy

Ron Randall · Post by **Ron Randall** » 22 Jun 2005 3:11 pm

Hi Joy,
4 years ago I was a newbie to steel guitar. Cindy's 2 videos got me started down the right path. The guitar she uses in the videos is an 8 string Fender Stringmaster, triple neck. But for the lessons, she sticks to a single neck, C6. As I recall, a 6 string tuned to C6 will work fine, as she did not use all the strings.
FWIW...Have fun and stay away from gadgets. Spend your time and money on lessons.

Ron

Terry Farmer · Post by **Terry Farmer** » 22 Jun 2005 3:26 pm

Joy, could you elaborate a little more on the "flaking" issue of your fretboard. I'm sure some of us can help you with that. Are the frets painted on? Inlaid? Are they raised like on a regular guitar? Let's get that fixed so you can feel comfortable playing your new beauty! Could you post a picture of it?[This message was edited by Terry Farmer on 22 June 2005 at 04:27 PM.]

Larry W. Jones · Post by **Larry W. Jones** » 22 Jun 2005 3:28 pm

Greetings Joy, and welcome from another newbie. Less than 2 months ago, I was just like you. Now I can already muddle through about 5 songs and enjoying it very much. I'm using the "Basic C6th Nonpedal Lap Steel Method" by DeWitt Scott. I also have taken a few lessons from a steel guitar teacher, which helped greatly. I have a beginners DVD for lap steel too. You'll enjoy it.

Joy Wofford · Post by **Joy Wofford** » 22 Jun 2005 3:37 pm

Thanks Larry. Is the DVD you spoke of the one that comes with the Scott book?
Terry, I'll post a picture as soon as I figure out how to put one on here! Thanks for wanting to see it and help....picture forthcoming soon, Joy

Larry W. Jones · Post by **Larry W. Jones** » 22 Jun 2005 3:52 pm

No, the DVD is: "DVD VIDEO C6TH TUNING by GeorgeBoards" on eBay. It has a DVD and an audio CD, one showing picking and bar techniques which is quite good. The other was the audio CD of steel guitar "Blues" (4 tunes) which I found very repetitious and boring and of no use since I couldn't see the actual guitar work.

Terry Farmer · Post by **Terry Farmer** » 22 Jun 2005 4:30 pm

Joy, here's an easy way to post a picture on the forum. Go to http://freefilehosting.net/index.cfm?display=upload 1. Hit the "upload" button in upper left hand corner of the screen. This will take you to the next screen. 2. Hit the "browse" button in the middle bottom of screen. Locate your picture file (600-800 pixels wide is best)and hit open. This will take you back to the previous screen. 3. Now hit "upload" to the right of the browse button. This will take you to a screen with several filename options. Choose the fourth option down, the one with [img] before and after the filename. Highlight and copy this link to your computer's clipboard. Close out Free File Hosting. Now go to the Forum and post a message. Right click and paste the link you have copied to the clipboard into your message. Hit "submit reply" and Voila!! Your picture will appear in all it's glory in your Forum message. Good Luck!

Joy Wofford · Post by **Joy Wofford** » 22 Jun 2005 4:39 pm

I'll try it again, please hold on....[This message was edited by Joy Wofford on 22 June 2005 at 05:48 PM.]

Joy Wofford · Post by **Joy Wofford** » 22 Jun 2005 4:40 pm

Oh dear.......now what do I do? I blew it, it's much too large to see what I wanted you to see..I'm sorry guys, is there a way to make it smaller? You didn't know you'd have to also teach me how to do THIS, did you? Grrrrr[This message was edited by Joy Wofford on 22 June 2005 at 05:41 PM.]

Joy Wofford · Post by **Joy Wofford** » 22 Jun 2005 5:06 pm

Ok, one more try, keep your fingers crossed....

[This message was edited by Joy Wofford on 22 June 2005 at 06:14 PM.]

Larry W. Jones · Post by **Larry W. Jones** » 22 Jun 2005 5:13 pm

No JOY!, Joy. Ha! - How do you hold such a big guitar anyway? No worry. The forum moderator will cancel that image for you, like he did mine when I posted the sheet music for Sleepwalk. It was HUGE-mongus.