learning materal for the green horn real green

Dave Baldwin · From: Saskatchewan, Canada

all help would be much app guysi have a tape of tim mcCasland vol 1 any better or is it good for starting and any help with bar picks and so on dave

Bob Blair · From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Welcome Dave.

Winnie Winston and Bill Keith put out a great book in the late 70's that is still the Bible - published by Oak. I still pull it out and read it from time to time. There is great stuff available through the Forum -just hit the "instruction" link I found Scotty's Mel Bay books to be very good, and I still find new ideas, or old ones that I'd forgotten about, in there. But all of the stuff available through the Forum is going to be good - there is so much more stuff now than there was in the 70's when a lot of us were learning. Also, if you go to the "links" link you will find a wealth of stuff. I have some Joe Wright videos that are truly excellent, and the late Jeff Newman (Jeffran College) put out some great user-friendly stuff - his wife Fran is still running the business. My good friend Chuck Lettes, who is a Forum member, also does correspondence courses using cassette tapes. The real problem these days is that there is so much stuff available. Good luck!

[This message was edited by Bob Blair on 16 August 2005 at 08:40 AM.]

Larry Weaver · From: Asheville, North Carolina, USA

Hi Dave,
I've recently returned to the PSG after a 20+ year layoff, and one of the first things I did was unpack the box with all of the materials from my week at Jeffran College 25 years ago. As Bob said, Fran is still running the business, so all that great stuff is still available. I recommend it very highly!

-Larry W

Pat Carlson · From: Sutton, Nebraska, R.I.P.

Hi Dave, Tim McCaslands The Beginers Series was a good starting point for me.It is for the player who knows very little about pedal steel guitar.One thing he did that confused me was that he was using a 12 string universal tuning guitar for the tape.
He mentions using a lever to get the low D Which is on the 9th string on a E-9TH Standard 10 string tuning.This tape along with Scotty's Pedal Steel Guitar Method were good basic starting points when I was green as a gourd.

You will get many opinions but I prefer Pro-Piks in a very light guage metal.The heavy thick guage piks that you can,t bend without plyers and a vise just did not feel right.I also like the slim Speed Pik for my thumb.Easier to use with less stumbling as you get a feel as to where the strings are.
Good Luck and don't hesitate to ask any questions here.

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The Lone Prairie Steeler Pat

Nic du Toit · From: Milnerton, Cape, South Africa

Dave,
I agree with Larry. Anything by Jeff Newman will do the trick. I attended one of Jeff's week long courses during 1980, and still have my papers and stuff from that time. Lovely memories and great instructional material.

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Nic du Toit
1970 Rosewood P/P Emmons D10 Fatback 8x4
Peavey Session 500 unmodfied

My CD "Nightmare on Emmons Steel"
Click here to E-mail us.

Michael Garnett · From: Seattle, WA

Dave-

Welcome to the most frustrating instrument on the planet. Tim McCasland is my steel guitar instructor here at South Plains College, and he's one helluva great teacher. I can't say much for his right hand technique, but hey, he was a guitar picker first. He sure does a good job of helping the student grasp the subject material, and that goes a long way.

I started out buying two Jeff Newman videos, "The Right Hand Alpha" and "Pedal Steel Guitar Techniques." Both were invaluable. Get the right hand stuff down now, while you're teaching your muscles, and they're willing to learn. That way in 5 years you don't have to go back and re-learn the proper technique because you're having tone and speed problems. That web address is www.jeffran.com

Definitely buy the Winston/Keith book, they should rename it "The Steel Picker's Bible". It's got some really good intermediate and advanced stuff to work on, mostly for E9th. While you're over at Jeffran, I'd encourage you to order a set of JF fingerpicks. They're very comfortable, and stiff enough to attack the strings for that really good tone. I'd stay away from Dunlop finger picks, they've got this flange on the top of them that catches the next string and makes you play sloppy. I'm currently playing a GeorgeL's thumbpick, it's about the right size for my preference, but you'll want to find a thumb pick that fits your style and ability.

Another priceless investment I made when I was just starting out: A Metronome. That is by far the best way to keep yourself honest and learn good quality speed picking. Start slow, learn to play at all speeds, and not just willy nilly all the time.

If you have any other questions, feel free to drop me an e-mail. Good luck, and happy picking!

-MG

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Uva Uvam Videndo Varia Fit
Carter D-10, Deltafex, Nashville 400,
Dingwall Afterburner I 5 string
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Charlie McDonald · From: out of the blue

To the top.

Terry Sneed · From: Arkansas,

Welcome Dave. I agree with the rest. You can't beat Jeff Newman's courses. I had Jeff's "Just play the melody" and "No speed limit", both great courses.

Terry

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Mullen D10 /8x5 / session 500rd/ American Strat Highway 1 model
steelin for my Lord

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

I really prefer the instructional material set together by DeWitt Scott and published by Mel Bay. It really opened up my eyes and ears to the E9th neck. Pull up Scotty's website and see what he has available. www.scottysmusic.com
Erv

[This message was edited by Erv Niehaus on 25 August 2005 at 12:16 PM.]

Dave Baldwin · From: Saskatchewan, Canada

thanks a lot guys and erv look on tab mabey you could help it would be so much app god bless dave

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