'nother newbie

Chris Latta · Post by **Chris Latta** » 24 Mar 2006 2:13 pm

Hello All,
Just became a member but, I've been "lurking" for quite some time now. Have been the proud owner of a Carter SD-10 since December after having dreamt about it for a year or so. I'm a 6 stringer(25 yrs.) and I've always been fascinated by the sound of the pedal steel although I was never a fan of country music(becoming one now).
As a player, I'm into blues, r+b and classic rock. Moving towards country a little more too. Ordered a David Ristrim cd with my membership. Heard some tunes on Steel Radio. Pretty amazing.Jeff Beck on the steel! Wow.
As a beginner steel player, I'd like to start by learning to play in a more traditional country style. I've got Joe Wright and Jeff Newman instructional DVDs (are you allowed to have both? lol). Any tips or suggestions would be welcome and appreciated.
I'm pleased to be part of this forum and to now be able to put my 2 cents in from time to time. This is a great little community here. Look forward to "meeting" many of you.
Cheers!

Chris

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 24 Mar 2006 2:35 pm

good to hear from you Chris.

Good luck on your journey..

may it be much shorter than mine

t

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TPrior
TPrior Steel Guitar Homesite

Chris Latta · Post by **Chris Latta** » 24 Mar 2006 3:23 pm

Thanks for the reply Tony. Checked out your site and had a quick listen. Nice work. I ain't there yet!

At 38, I'm giving myself till 50 to play steel anywhere in public! lol

Isn't that an unwritten rule anyway?

Chris

Jake L · Post by **Jake L** » 24 Mar 2006 8:17 pm

Welcome Chris!

You will find a world of info here to help you along. The only advice that I am qualified to give is:
Don't play with spurs on...They get hung in the carpet!

Jake Lowe

Colby Tipton · Post by **Colby Tipton** » 24 Mar 2006 9:46 pm

Chris,
If you are ment to play a steel guitar it will come to you before you get 50, if you are determined to do it, it will hit you all at once. Just like learning a six string guitar. I played PSG back in the 70's and early 80's and gave it up to raise some kids. The kids are raised and gone and I've started again about a month ago, I'm figuring out new licks every day like it was born in me, just a little rusty. If you learn to love this instrument you will love it from now on.

Chris Latta · Post by **Chris Latta** » 25 Mar 2006 7:31 am

Thank you Gentlemen,

To Jake, got it. No spurs. I don't even wear shoes when I'm playing so no worries about tearin up the rug! I should probably find me some steelin shoes and get used to them.

To Colby, I'm stuck on the instrument already. It is a challenge but I'm doing o.k with it. Already being a musicain helps. No shortage of learning material either. Just a matter of putting the time in.Life gets in the way sometimes.

Cheers fellas. Thanks for the welcome.

Chris

Russ Cayen · Post by **Russ Cayen** » 25 Mar 2006 8:08 am

Hi Chris and welcome from another Ontarian

Chris Latta · Post by **Chris Latta** » 25 Mar 2006 8:29 am

Hi Russ

Thanks for the welcome. We certainly have a bunch of great steel players in our neck of the woods, eh?

Steve Smith, Pee Wee Charles, Bob Lucier, Bob Tailifer, Al Brisco and I'm sure there's more. Oh...Joey Ace!

Are you aware of any that teach?

Cheers!

Chris

Larry Strawn · Post by **Larry Strawn** » 25 Mar 2006 8:54 am

Chris,,
Welcome to the Forum, know you'll like it here!!
Some advice?? Just play and enjoy it, don't worry about the mistakes, your friends will let you know about them!!! lol..
Larry

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Emmons S/D-10, 3/5, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"

Chris Latta · Post by **Chris Latta** » 25 Mar 2006 9:18 am

Thanks Larry,

I'm my own worst critic but I don't sweat the mistakes too much. I play when I'm alone so as not to be responsible for illness or ear damage to others!

If I start stinkin up the place, I step away for a while for my own good.

Arizona is beautiful country. I passed through with a truck driving friend of mine in 2000 or so. Hope to be there again sometime.

Cheers!

Chris

Jack Latimer · Post by **Jack Latimer** » 25 Mar 2006 2:48 pm

Love your line "are you allowed to own both Joe and Jeff". From another bud in Ontario welcome. From the sound of your background we are in the same boat.[This message was edited by Jack Latimer on 25 March 2006 at 02:48 PM.]

Chris Latta · Post by **Chris Latta** » 25 Mar 2006 3:14 pm

Hey Jack,

I've recently read posts about Joe's thought on Jeff's approach and techniques and,I guess, vice versa as Jeff had strong opinions about the "right way" to do things.

I'm forunate to have had the chance to see Joe Wright play twice in the last few months at the Legion in Waterdown. He's just amazing so you can't argue about the effectiveness of his technique. I grabbed his beginner techniqe pack of dvds. I also new that Jeff Newman's material was very popular (and all the Joe Wright stuff wasn't available right away)so I grabbed J.N's PSG Technique dvd.

They're both great. The Joe stuff is technique intensive, the Jeff stuff is fun and gets you playing stuff right away. I certainly find palm blocking a lot easier. Pick blocking does not feel right but then at this early stage, I'm not even completely sold on picks! There are finger players, aren't there?

Chris

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 28 Mar 2006 2:38 pm

Welcome Chris,From Alabama.Bama Charlie.