Joe Wright Seminar in Dallas

Don Ricketson · Post by **Don Ricketson** » 15 Mar 2006 10:53 pm

Did anyone else make the Joe Wright seminar in Dallas and what did you think? He had some issues about the Forum that was probably on the mark. Some other issues about past instructors that I'm not quiet so sure about. It was a very good informative session all in all. Just wondering what others think.

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Mullen D10-8/5
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Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 15 Mar 2006 11:37 pm

If you're going to bring it up-why not fill in some of the blanks for those of us that couldn't be there?

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Mark

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 16 Mar 2006 4:52 am

When I took his seminar, he mentioned that according to the "internet", he's playing the wrong type of guitar (U-12), picking the wrong way (pickblocking), and playing the wrong types of music on the pedal steel (rock, blues, etc.) This seemed to be humorously pointed at the forum.

He also made some comments about Jeff Newman and how he used to teach methods and call them "the only way to do it", or something to that effect. Joe feels that there isn't only one way, and his pickblocking technique is one of the things he uses to prove this. He thinks pickblocking makes way more sense than palmblocking.

This is more than likely what goes down at all of his seminars. There's no denying his talent, but I'm not sure about his views. While I did learn some stuff at his seminar, I feel more comfortable with Jeff Newman's method of instruction. Interestingly, during the seminar EVERYONE was palmblocking out of the gate, before he went around "correcting" everyone.

It does seem like a Newman against Wright thing.

Paul King · Post by **Paul King** » 16 Mar 2006 5:02 am

I did not attend the seminar by Joe Wright but it was only because I could not be there. I find him to be an excellent picker regardless of how he blocks. I personally believe if it works for an individual then let it be. I have always used the Jeff Newman technique for blocking because it works best for me. I have watched many steel players down through the years, and have seen some I just did not know how they played the way their technique was. They got the job done and that is what counts. Everyone is different and if it works for you that is fine with me. As far as the forum goes, I love this site and look at it daily.

Adrienne Clasky · Post by **Adrienne Clasky** » 16 Mar 2006 5:37 am

I wish I could have been there. I have Mr. Wright's book, the big one. He approaches things from an original perspective, seems to look at the U12 tuning vertically rather than horizontally. Did he mention anything about that?

mtulbert · Post by **mtulbert** » 16 Mar 2006 5:59 am

I was at the seminar as well and I feel that Joe's comment about Jeff was a little out of line. If he had softened his approach a little, I feel that there would have been a more positive response to the seminar. He could have said something like "I respect Jeff and his methods but I am going to show you a different way to approach the steel guitar".

That said, he does have a good approach to the guitar and anything that I can learn either from Jeff, Joe or Reece will help me become a more proficient player.

I can tell you this; that I started doing some of the exercises that Joe suggested and I can already see a difference. I am not a pro nor do I practice 10 hours a day, but the right hand is better and the guys in the band noticed a difference as well.

I will keep working on his exercises as well as his map of the neck. The information is informative and does help.

In defense of Joe, his MO of teaching is to understand the guitar and for the player to know why the notes he is playing works for the arrangement of the song. He is trying to elevate us beyond the learn a lick from tab stage and get a better understanding of the instrument.

Regards,

Mark T.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 16 Mar 2006 6:17 am

I can see why Joe would allude to comments he's read on the web; could it be from anywhere besides the Forum?

I can only say that I found a world of difference between Jeff Newman's video teaching compared to Joe's. (It's a personal pet peeve of mine to be shown how to tune a steel, saying that 'we' don't know why a steel has to be out of tune to be in tune. that's 'just the way it is.') Is it just old school/new school?
Teaching evolves; players just get better.

Sorry to have missed the seminar. Next time.

Sidney Malone · Post by **Sidney Malone** » 16 Mar 2006 6:20 am

I wasn't at Joe's seminar but I have heard him speak of these issues before. I believe that anytime someone says there's only one way to do something, that he will be disproven nearly everytime! There are a lot of players (big name one's too) who pick block. In fact, my instructor told me that there's 3 types of blocking...pick, palm & left hand. These are all valid and used as the situation dictates. Evertime Joe sits down to his guitar, his methods are proven to work & work well!

Joe is certianly correct that there is a strong bias against U-12. As a U-12 player myself, I've seen this many times here on the forum. It doesn't stop me from expressing my views and I wish Joe would express his also, because he could do a lot better job than I could.

I think what it boils down to is that Joe is an innovator.....one of those who goes where no one has gone before and these guys will always catch flack from the traditionalist. Some just don't like change and the typical steel player is at the top of that list.

It's players like Joe Wright, Reece Anderson, Paul Franklin, Robert Randolph, Buzz Evans etc.... just to name a few, who have taken this instrument out of the corn field and have proven it is as valid an instrument as any for ANY type of music.

I commend Joe Wright for all he's done in kicking down the walls and cutting a new path for others to follow. I certianly wish he would put on his gloves and come duke it out (in a friendly way) here on the forum. There's a lot of us who would love to hear his take on things!!!

Russ Rickmann · Post by **Russ Rickmann** » 16 Mar 2006 6:21 am

Well said Mr. King. Russ

JAMES BANKS · Post by **JAMES BANKS** » 16 Mar 2006 6:29 am

I attended the seminar and I admit, his first mention of Jeff did not hit me as the nicest way to say it. However, I sat thru with an open mind. I understand that Jeff just wanted to make it easy for us to play without knowing all the notes, chords etc. I used his pockets method a lot and it greatly improved my playing. Joe has a more in depth look at steel guitar. For a large marjority of people, Jeff's simple method can make them happy for a lifetime. Some people are happy to play guitar chords and strum along with friends for a lifetime, others want to learn all they can to play lead. Joe is and Jeff was a master at the instrument. Would you say Eric Clapton is better or not as good as Les Paul or Chet Atkins. I don't think so, they all have their approach to the instrument. Jeff told me when I was at the Top Gun school that we should learn from every body we have a chance to learn from and apply all we learn to make our own style. I do not want to play exactly like Joe or Jeff. I want to learn to play like me. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to learn from both of them. We all get a little opiniated some time and think our brand of guitar, amp, type of tuning, pick, etc is the only correct way. That is human nature and the forum gives a chance to sometime get a little over zealous about our preference.
James

Mike Howard · Post by **Mike Howard** » 16 Mar 2006 6:38 am

I was at the Dallas seminar and found it quite informative. No it was NOT a Jeff Newman Seminar.Jeff Newman was an excellent steel instructor (I have lots of his material)and a great musician, but he could be somewhat abrupt and abrasive at times. Kind of a "my way or the highway"approach. I think each one brings something a little different to the table.
Joe has a Very "methodical approach" in his teaching,and starts with right and left hand basics. He goes into the Physical, Musical, and Mental aspects needed to play this "BEAST". Joe does a very good job of explaining the "whys" and not just "cause I said to do it that way" aproch. I dont think he had a problem with "palm blocking" at all, and demonstrated pick,palm, and left hand blocking. He even stated "the more methods you learn, the more possibilities in all situations.
I think he was just showing "there's more than one way to skin a cat". His playing certainly speaks for it's self. I feel I more than got my money's worth.Joe presented more than enough material to keep me busy the next year or so.

mike howard

James Morehead · Post by **James Morehead** » 16 Mar 2006 6:40 am

I found the seminar to be great. Joe has a certain approach to steel guitar, and he is A master. I took his comments about Jeff, not as a slap against Jeff's approach, but more of a wakeup call to folks who have come to believe Jeff's way is the ONLY way. Joe has a deep respect for other GREAT STEEL INSTRUCTORS. He was IMO shaking up a few folks who have "tunnel vision",. Joe spent allot of time answering questions about the obvious, which soaked up a lot of time, but I guess that goes with the territory. All in all, my take is, if you want to pick steel, you better be willing to put in the chair time. And Joe's way is a VERY valid approach.

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 16 Mar 2006 6:51 am

I didn't go to Joe's workshop and I've abandoned the pedal steel for a 12 string superslide, but nevertheless Joe's My Approach book has helped me tremendously on the Lap Steel, particularly his pick blocking exercises. Just a few hours pick blocking practice while sitting in front of the TV helped my playing tremendously. Except for the "pedals" part of his technique, his methods are valuable for both pedal player and non-pedal player.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 16 Mar 2006 9:02 am

I eagerly click on all of these topics, along with cruising through the archives when it comes to instructors and learning courses.

While taking lap steel lessons as a kid, back in the 60's-I dabbled in pedals, but haven't been around the things since then.

I recently bought a new GFI Ultra S-10 keyless, and I've started with the Winnie Winston book, but am trying to decide on which DVD course(s) to dive into.

It seems the most comprehensive, and most expensive-are from Joe and the late Mr. Newman.

You guys all have interesting things to say here, but I'm having a difficult time determining which way to go. Being a dobro player most of the time, I'm used to left hand palm blocking after slightly lifting the bar. That doesn't cut it as the "go to" method on pedal steel.

Joe Wright and Reece Anderson (in his writings) seem to have the most cerebral approach to this instrument, to sort of get you into a certain mental state to be able to learn the thing. Anyone who doesn't hang out here with us and streotypes the steel guitar as the province of "country bumpkins" needs to sit down behind one of these things. As a virtual newbie, the thing is fascinating-but you have to get your head into a certain place for it to make any sense. I'm starting with E9th only, because I'm sure my brain can only absorb so much at a time.

I'm planning on going to Dallas next time so at least I'll have a year under my belt, and hopefully things won't appear so vague and fuzzy as they do now.

The former game plan was to order a 12 string SuperSlide this year, and a couple years down the line find a decent used pedal guitar through the Forum. But the great deal that was out there for the GFI was staring me in the face, and I couldn't pass it up. Now I'm hoping to still get that SuperSlide (maybe at Dallas next year is the preliminary game plan) but now I'm on the pedal program too!

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Mark
[This message was edited by Mark Eaton on 16 March 2006 at 09:07 AM.]

Craig Mckinnon · Post by **Craig Mckinnon** » 16 Mar 2006 10:23 am

I attended the seminar, enjoyed it thoroughly & have been listening to my recording of it over the last couple of days.
I can confirm that Joe did not say anything disrespectful or disparaging about Jeff, other than he disagreed with much of his approach & methods. Joe has a right to his opinion & I respect him for that.
I have attended Jeffs seminars, own most of his tuition material,have a huge amount of respect for him & have no doubt that without him, I would not be able to play anything on steel today. Jeff's demise was a huge loss to the steel community & I wonder if this makes us a bit oversensitive to any criticism of him.
To sum up, I do agree there is more than one way to play pedal steel guitar & the greater the number of different influences we can learn from, the better.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 16 Mar 2006 11:46 am

Joe Wright is the most gentle, caring, and delicate instructors who has ever laid hands on me.

[This message was edited by HowardR on 16 March 2006 at 03:50 PM.]

JAMES BANKS · Post by **JAMES BANKS** » 16 Mar 2006 11:53 am

Howard, did he want you off his guitar or were you just being a difficult student? LOL

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 16 Mar 2006 12:30 pm

By the look on Joe's face, it looks like he just came back from witnessing the urinals in the men's room.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 16 Mar 2006 1:22 pm

That whole urinal report thing-it really took some of the shine off the success of the show for me!

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Mark

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 16 Mar 2006 2:11 pm

Yeah, well, it took some of the shine off the floor also.....

[This message was edited by HowardR on 16 March 2006 at 03:51 PM.]

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 16 Mar 2006 6:03 pm

Sell Joe a hat, Howard. That'll get his attention off you and the urinals.

I wasn't at the seminar, but have looked at both Jeff's and Joe's instruction material (and I play country, rock, blues, jazz and classical on a uni). Jeff's stuff will probably get a newbie off the ground quicker and easier. Joe's approach takes more time and discipline, but really opens up the unique aspects of the uni, and for 12-string or 10-string lays the foundations for a lifelong pursuit of any kind of music, at any level, on lap or pedal steel. They are both pioneers and heroes.

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Student of the Steel: Zum uni, Fender tube amps, squareneck and roundneck resos, tenor sax, keyboards

[This message was edited by David Doggett on 16 March 2006 at 06:03 PM.]

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 16 Mar 2006 9:03 pm

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[This message was edited by Bob Hoffnar on 17 March 2006 at 06:43 AM.]

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 16 Mar 2006 9:12 pm

I think that Joe's comprehensive way of teaching steel is the way to go. His methods are very similar to the way classical guys teach. He breaks things down to there most simple movements and then works his way up. That way you don't jump into some lick thats over your head and waste tons of time playing something poorly actually damaging your progress. A private lesson, a few books and that spreadsheet program of his has done my playing worlds of good.

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Bob
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Jason Schofield · Post by **Jason Schofield** » 16 Mar 2006 10:41 pm

I bought Joe's DVD technique bundle 2 months ago. I've been playing less than a year and I decided to really give Joe's method a go. I use 4 picks now and I'm pick-blocking everything. It was so hard a first but if you keep plugging away it starts to happen 'wright' before your eyes. I've played standard guitar for over 20 years but was not a finger style player at all. Using 4 fingers has really been a challenge but I can see it really paying off now. I also have Jeff's Up from the Top A&B video. It is good but I had to figure out a lot of the stuff on my own as far as what he was actually doing theoretically. Thanks Joe!!!

I've lowered the prices on some cd box sets I have for sale.. check em' out http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum18/HTML/000720.html

Jerry Lee Newberry · Post by **Jerry Lee Newberry** » 17 Mar 2006 11:11 am

Jerry & Austin have learned some from both of Jeff's and Joe's videos. Donna