Pedal Steel Beginners in 2010

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 1 Oct 2010 11:22 am

My wife has taken up Pedal Steel this summer. She is progressing but not to the point she could play out. She plays piano, guitar and bass. knows the number system, plays rhythm guitar and sings in our band, so all that has helped her on Steel.

Gerry Brown · Post by **Gerry Brown** » 5 Oct 2010 4:08 pm

I bought my pedal steel four days ago, and this after swearing that at I wouldn't attempt a new instrument at this age. I've been playing guitar for a long time and started playing dobro 5 years ago. Since I started playing dobro the pedal steel has been looming out there. I play in a country band and will hold off bringing the steel to rehearsal until I have a little technique under my belt.

Quentin Hickey · Post by **Quentin Hickey** » 7 Oct 2010 5:55 am

Hi everyone. I just started playing in June. I have played the guitar and fiddle for years so that is helping me theory wise. We have a local steel club in Lower Sackville NS that gets together once a month and jams. Everyone is very supportive and great. They also have a library of learning material that people can check out.
Where has pedal steel been all my life???

I can't get enough of it!!!

Douglas Bone · Post by **Douglas Bone** » 7 Oct 2010 9:05 am

Just a little info, if you have played regular 6 string go to www.steelguitar.com . This is Carter Steels website and in second paragraph in blue letters click on. Tells how to convert your 6 string knowledge to E9th pedal steel. Hope helps some.

Ian Miller · Post by **Ian Miller** » 8 Oct 2010 1:06 am

Well, I think I've been playing PSG for about a year now (after working on non-pedal C6 in fits and starts for a couple years prior), but didn't get my current guitar (D10) until the beginning of 2010, and I can honestly say that that's when the REAL learning began!

Owen Barnes · Post by **Owen Barnes** » 8 Oct 2010 2:52 am

Me too! Playing 6 string for 45 years, but finally have the time and "want to" to work at it. Even though I had an Emmons in my early years, I wasn't around anyone who could help me a little. Just purchased a great new steel from Gary Carpenter in Ft. Worth - D10 4X8 - really looking forward to the challenge and excitement. Gigs popping up all around me, but I'll give it a couple months - on the steel portion that is!

Robert Fleming · Post by **Robert Fleming** » 30 Oct 2010 7:40 am

I started on a borrowed Maverick in 1976 but had to give it back when the guy sold it and I just couldn't afford it. Finally in Dec 2009 I decided its now or never as I had wanted one since I was a kid. After lots of research I bought one of Dougs Stage Ones in Dec of 2009. Just started playing it on stage 2 months ago. It is absolutely the best thing I have ever done with my life.

Teddy Ray Bullard II · Post by **Teddy Ray Bullard II** » 30 Oct 2010 9:13 am

I am brand new at this. I've been a professional Bass singer since age 12, singing Bass in Southern Gospel groups(and in 2008, the Stamps as they toured with the TCB Band(what a thrill it was to sing the same songs that JD Sumner sang)

Bought a MSA S-10 a while back, never got started..had to deploy (Army). Got out, Moved back to NC(my home state) and then here to Ohio , got some GI Bill Money and said Ima do this thing..

bought my first new guitar, a GFI Expo S-10 and my first lesson with Mr. Mike Sigler's gonna be this coming thursday.

I am psyched!

Chris Grotewohl · Post by **Chris Grotewohl** » 2 Nov 2010 1:08 pm

Hello folks,,

I'm new also after 20 years at it. Gotta 5-5 MSA Classic which I found for 500 bucks a few tears ago. Been a picker all of my life, have determined that the PS can be easy, but only 1% of the time. An amazing thing, Started on a ZB, then a couple of Dekley's and this then this. I am bound and determined to figure this out. My other instruments have been idle for quite some time now, and the only thing I want to do is goof around on the steel. The ole lady doesn't complain either like she has forever when I get the banjo out. CYA

Brent Torgrimson · Post by **Brent Torgrimson** » 4 Nov 2010 9:50 am

I'm a fairly accomplished jazz/country guitar player (35 years). I borrowed a PSG (ZB Custom E9 3X4) 3 weeks ago from Ken Metcalf. It's very fun and frustrating. It's very difficult to get it to sound just right. I just have to hang with it until my body parts start doing what I want 'em to do & the fun really begins. I mix up hard and easy stuff.

Clark Doughty · Post by **Clark Doughty** » 6 Nov 2010 10:04 pm

Bought my first Mullen in June, traded it in at the St Louis show for a brand new Mullen SD10 Royal Precision in Sept and am headed for "pedal steel guitar boot camp" next week. Having a ball. I'll bet I'm one of the oldest "old geezers" on the forum to start playing the steel but I'm not giving my age until I see how well I do.......

cd

Johan Jansen · Post by **Johan Jansen** » 7 Nov 2010 4:37 am

There are a lot of young people starting on pedalsteel these days, man and woman. They re-discover country-rock like the eagles, POCO, Gram Parsons but also Daniel Lanois.
They tend to look for old Sho-Buds and Tube amps and they are very willing to learn proper playingtechniques.
I think it's very nice to have this young blood in the steelguitarscene, and I'm very happy to teach them on this side of the pond..
JJ

Mickey Adams · Post by **Mickey Adams** » 7 Nov 2010 7:07 pm

A big thanks to all of you that have been watching my videos and taking the time to correspond..I've got a lot of free time coming up around Xmas this year, and I have a lot of new videos planned. Many of the older videos will be re-recorded as well...I encourage all of you to write and make requests...I cant get them all, but they sure do give me a LOT of ideas to pass on...Peace all, and hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!!!

Mickey in Dallas

Ron Davis · Post by **Ron Davis** » 7 Nov 2010 10:38 pm

Thanx for all the videos, Mick...
Watching you on these videos really is inspiring, & you know how important that can be.
Keeps me reachin'.

Really is lotta help, for me.

Thanx, Bro.

Ron

Tony Tims · Post by **Tony Tims** » 3 Dec 2010 7:11 am

I took my first lesson on 11/11/10. I am fortunate to have found one of the great teachers in Mr. Maurice "Reece" Anderson. After only having taken two lessons, I sit back in amazement about what he has taught me so far. His ability to teach is remarkable.

I recommend finding a great teacher to help with the journey. I hope everyone achieves success in their playing!

Tony

Keith Davidson · Post by **Keith Davidson** » 23 Dec 2010 4:59 pm

Got my first one (Magnum Pro Select) in April of 2010 and am hooked big time, to the point I was in the middle of doing a deal with Herby Wallace for a Mullen RP but am now in the process of changing it to a G2!

Must be getting nuts in my old age! Now I'm a like a kid waiting for xmas....lol

Keith

John Peay · Post by **John Peay** » 23 Dec 2010 7:19 pm

Another new PSG player in 2010 here. Played 6-string for awhile, and have messed with C6 lap steel a bit, but I've always been in love with that E9th PSG sound. And this year, at age 50, it was time to do it.

Picked up my SD-10 4x5 Derby a month ago, and just had my first lesson with Tommy Dodd. Great to have a pro like that as an instructor, especially at this point in the process to get started off right.

I'm totally pumped and a bit frustrated, but I'm going to keep working at it and having a blast!

Robert Murphy · Post by **Robert Murphy** » 23 Dec 2010 7:25 pm

Haven't seen this thread before so here goes. Played lap steel and Dobro for a couple years and started learning different tunings. Nowhere to go but up so I took a steel lesson from Billy Cooper in Virginia on vacation in July. Bought a GFI from Herby Wallace in July. Began lessons in August played my first gig (lap style) in November. I purchased the Mickey Adams Bible this month. BTW I am 61 years old and don't care how long it takes, it's the journey man!

Ron Davis · Post by **Ron Davis** » 25 Dec 2010 8:00 am

"BTW I am 61 years old and don't care how long it takes, it's the journey man!"

Right on, Robert. I hear ya.
I'm a 57 year old kid, & startin' PSG is some of the most fun I've had to date. I love it, & I'm in deep. lol

rd

Michael Robertson · Post by **Michael Robertson** » 25 Dec 2010 8:41 am

For Jim Eaton.
Great advice Jim.
Put on a fresh pot of coffee I just loaded my gear and I am heading to your house.

Allen Kentfield · Post by **Allen Kentfield** » 25 Dec 2010 12:22 pm

As Dante said, "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here."

... we salute you...

Merry Christmas.

God bless us, every one!

Elliott Goldkind · Post by **Elliott Goldkind** » 28 Dec 2010 6:09 pm

Just bought my first PSG, a Dekley (beginner/student model, with 3 pedals, only 1 knee), and will have my first lesson in a couple of weeks. I'm ready for the humiliation but also the joy.

Best to all,
El

Marc Orleans · Post by **Marc Orleans** » 29 Dec 2010 2:19 pm

I started in '08 after playing lap steel a while and wanting to get a b bender installed on my tele. A friend showed me a video clip of Hal Rugg playing "Milwaukee Here I Come" George Jones and Tammy Wynette and it just blew me away. I then stumbled upon Mickey Adams on YouTube before I perchased my steel. I bought the guitar, a BMI s10 3/4 with the help of Bob Hoffnar. I took some lessons with Bob which really helped me out combined with Mickey's online stuff. I bought the guitar in May of that year and giged with it three weeks later! It was crazy I know but I just threw myself into it. Just finished work on two LPs using the same s10. If I can save some dough I'm gonna get a d10. Steel guitar has been an amazing journey so far and it sounds like you are off to a great start! Congrats Thomas and enjoy the ride!

John Daily · Post by **John Daily** » 29 Dec 2010 5:53 pm

I started again. Got a SHO-BUD in Oct. used of course but after 30+ years I'm back on it. Still play the 6 string, but got back in it. Learnin a style and studyin music. Lovin it. May call on you all fer some assistance, if I may. 2011 gonna be a better year,for all.

Dave McKeough · Post by **Dave McKeough** » 29 Dec 2010 8:30 pm

I started Dec of 2009 and did my first gig in Nov of 2010. I found that...Hey! I can get by but it was a big, BIG learning lesson. It taught me so many things.

Anyway, I'm having a blast learning....SO much to learn!

Dave

Thomas Ludwig wrote:How many of you did start playing the pedal steel guitar in 2010?

After playing the lap steel for some years I wanted pedals. The study of Patricia Warnocks E9th Chord Chart and watching Mickey Adams videos on youtube made my appetite larger. Thank you Patricia and Mickey!

I got my steel at the end of December 2009 and I started in Januray and played my first gig in June.
I am a very beginner and I know it's a long way to master this instrument but learning and playing the pedal steel is so much fun and I'm very happy to do it.

Thomas

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