The Steel Guitar Forum

Suggestion: Pick just 1 one song like "Mansion on a Hill"
This is an easy and pretty song. It can actually be played
fairly good on just one fret. After you learn the first song
it does get easier. If you don't have any tracks or tabs to
get you started, you'll find many of us willing to help you.

Clinton,I live in Springtown which is an hour drive from Cleburne. I wouldn't charge anything if you would come to my home,I would be glad to help you in any way I could.

Learning how to play steel is something you have to WANT to do just like Art,Flying,Golfing etc.if you want to do it well but it takes time in the saddle.

It's not easy but it gets easier with time and constructive practice.

Hang in there.

Dick Wood wrote:Clinton,I live in Springtown which is an hour drive from Cleburne. I wouldn't charge anything if you would come to my home,I would be glad to help you in any way I could.

Learning how to play steel is something you have to WANT to do just like Art,Flying,Golfing etc.if you want to do it well but it takes time in the saddle.

It's not easy but it gets easier with time and constructive practice.

Hang in there.

Wow, now there's an incredibly kind offer if there ever was one! I was hoping and praying literally that I would move in next door to a retired PSG player when we bought this house! LOL I thought now how amazing would that be?

I would seriously consider this kind offer!

OK, Clinton, what an outpouring from the hearts of all these guys of encouragement, offers of help and good advise and wisdom . All the way from newer learners to some of the best right here. ...
What more could a feller ask for; we've all been where you are. ...
So, the answers are in front of you: If it ain't fun you won't likely succeed. If you don't love the music of this awesome instrument, you are destined to fail. If you don't have or can't make the time to work at it, you probably won't progress. ...
Just stop trying.
So just sell out.
So just quit.
Kaput! (of course you could always change your mind)

Clinton, should you abandon the effort, you will want to kick yourself in the a$$ later. After you make the move to divest yourself of these tools, every time you hear an ear bending steel break your gonna get the pang of remorse. Just don't do anything rash. I've been on this thing since 1963 and I can't say I am very good at it, but the pleasure of playing, as amateurish as it may sound sometimes, sure beats the alternative of no steel at all.

Take it in little steps and don't be so hard on yourself. You are, in fact, attempting to learn one of the world's most difficult machines, that also makes music.............

Nice offer from Dick indeed. Perhaps a session or two with him will help you decide one way or the other.

While it's important to realize what your goals are, I would suggest you not put so much pressure on yourself to make a definitive decision. It doesn't have to be that cut and dried.

Many people just enjoy playing the steel guitar to the point to which they are able. It is not necessary to be good to enjoy it.

If, otoh, you have aspirations to play to a certain proficiency, with a band etc. and don't see that happening, your frustration is understandable.

Maybe sell everything but keep the Stage 1 and enough gear to let you scratch the itch if and when it comes back.

It's like quitting smoking. Keep a pack around for a while 'til you're sure you're done. Then you won't feel pressure to run out and buy one. You can always put your hands on it and reassure yourself.

If, after a while, you find you just never touch the steel anymore, then just let it all go.

FWIW, when I started playing, it was a year of serious study of Winnie's book before I took a few lessons then found out about Jeff's school. It was another year or 2 before I was able to take Jeff's classroom course. It was yet another 2 or 3 yrs. before I felt comfortable with my instrument and my playing. So figure 5 yrs. for me to feel like I could actually get around on it, practicing several hours ea. day.

I've been at it almost 35 yrs. and I'm still learning, so the study never really ends.

When people tell me they've always wanted to play but don't think they can ever do it, I tell them if I can do it anybody can.

One thing I've gained from playing steel is meeting the community of like minded individuals. I've met some great people that I probably never would have known otherwise. My best friends outside my family are people that I have met through playing the steel guitar and that's even more satisfying than playing the instrument itself.

You'll make the right decision, whatever it is and I wish you good luck.

Clinton, I've been playin' steel for thirteen years now and loving it more! Don't give up because the pedal steel guitar is a wonderful instrument to play. It don't hurt to take breaks every now and then. During these breaks, you might get ideas for songs you want to learn in the future-that's how it works for me, there might be days when I take breaks, and when I do, I get song ideas. Playing the steel is rewarding in some ways. I don't play in a band, but I do play at steel guitar conventions and shows in Georgia now, and that's another way to get song ideas.

Clinton, it's ironic you mention Archery. I am/was and avid recurve man myself. About a month ago I got tennis elbow, ie Bursitis, in my left arm. I think it was from carrying my steel guitar.
Well seems I can no longer draw the string on my bow! There goes that hobby. There was even a day or two I couldn't hang onto a steel guitar bar.
I am recovering. I can play the steel again but can't pull back the bow yet.

Keep your options open.

I'm not selling my archery gear yet.

I really connected with the post about retirement and watching TV as an alternative - pretty bleak. I am so looking forward to retirement - gotta ton of hobbies. I envison being way more productive that I was for the first 60 years of my life.

Dick Wood wrote:Clinton,I live in Springtown which is an hour drive from Cleburne. I wouldn't charge anything if you would come to my home,I would be glad to help you in any way I could.

Learning how to play steel is something you have to WANT to do just like Art,Flying,Golfing etc.if you want to do it well but it takes time in the saddle.

It's not easy but it gets easier with time and constructive practice.

Hang in there.

I could make that drive. My dad lives near Boyd so I could visit him at the same time, I will be busy for the next couple of weekends but I will send you a pm when I know for sure I can get free. If the timing is good for you then I will make the trip north. Thanks

Jim Pitman wrote:Clinton, it's ironic you mention Archery. I am/was and avid recurve man myself. About a month ago I got tennis elbow, ie Bursitis, in my left arm. I think it was from carrying my steel guitar.
Well seems I can no longer draw the string on my bow! There goes that hobby. There was even a day or two I couldn't hang onto a steel guitar bar.
I am recovering. I can play the steel again but can't pull back the bow yet.

Keep your options open.

I'm not selling my archery gear yet.

I really connected with the post about retirement and watching TV as an alternative - pretty bleak. I am so looking forward to retirement - gotta ton of hobbies. I envison being way more productive that I was for the first 60 years of my life.

I've had tenis elbow from playing golf and didn't let it stop me from shooting my bow. I hate golf and only play when one of my customers wants to play (maybe twice a year). I push through the pain to shoot my bow almost every time I shoot. I don't care to hunt with a rifle any more because its too easy. I got my first whitetail with a bow this year and 2 weeks later got my second and first Kansas deer.

I get frustrated with archery as much as do the steel but I don't ever think about giving up archery.

You're not thinking right at all! Any normal guy or gal can learn this thing. Patience is always the key.

Clinton, I've got a friend named Jeff Peterson, who had played steel for Clint Black and he told me before I started playing steel, he said "Practice hard all the time", and I still hear that advice to this day. He was right because the more you practice, the more your enthusiasm in the steel guitar will increase

Great advice Brett!!

Tom Brumley told me one time, when I felt like you do, to keep playing as long as I enjoy playing, no matter how good or bad I think I sound. When I quit enjoying it, then quit playing. I play terribly but I still enjoy it so I still do.

Quit? You can't quit. Playing steel is like belonging to the mob. Seriously though, I see you have two steels. Do they have the exact tuning/copedent? If not, I would suggest putting the Rains in the case and just play the Stage One. Keeping consistancy is be the best thing. I wish I didn't start with a D10 for that reason. Practice and have patience. Develop a practice plan that includes scales and finger dexterity excercises, and harmony. With daily practice you will get better.

You said you shot a deer with the bow. SUCCESS! Are you having success with the steel? You may be better than you realize. And a nice applause can send chills up your spine. Like a friend of mine said. Just play the damn thing. I can play one note as well as anybody can. Now..time to find a second note.

You may want to learn more about music itself. Timing, Chords, Minor chords and where they fit in the song. The good thing about owning a steel guitar it don't use gasoline, does not eat food or answer natures calls. Just clean up and lubricate carefully and put it under your bed. Now Don't Wet The Bed. This way you are in the room every day and there is no leaks and such that would damage the guitar. Open case every month or so just check for mold or milldew.
Store amp's seat, controls careful also. That way if you want to start with steel again. A little cleaning and a new set of strings and you will be ready to start playing again. Good Luck in whatever you choose to do.

I tried to start playing PSG about 10 years ago and decided even though I had been a pro/semi pro for 35years on guitar I couldn't get the basic hang of it. Sold everything. Then last year I saw theCarter vid about going from 6 String to basic PSG. Got another rig and asked my band to tolerate the learning curve. I was gigging in a couple months. I'm 65 and it has really ignited my passion for playing a again like when I first started. I am SO sorry I didn't try harder the first time. Would have 10 years in and probably be pretty good. NO instrument is such a joy just to sit and play around the house too.

And a nice applause can send chills up your spine

Ain't that the truth... Rewards for hours spent in "steel" confinement.

One other thing. The Up From The Top is very good basic musicianship along with the PSG stuff. He's a stern but good teacher of the fundamentals of music without being over the top theory wise. Recommended.

Go to one of Reece Anderson's Fast Track camps. You will be fine.

I'll just throw this out because it hasn't been mentioned. Pedal steel guitar is one of the most challenging instruments to learn, even if you already have some musical background to build on.

I suggest downsizing to a 6 string lap steel. It's surprising how much you can do with a lap steel in C6 tuning and the learning curve is much more forgiving. You can make tangible progress quicker which will make learning more fun. Just my $.02.

Lots of people have felt the way you do and just put the guitar away for a while and will eventually come back and are so glad they did not sell.I am not sure where I read this but I believe Lloyd Green sold shoes for a while.Please correct me if that was not true...Think Think Think.......Ron

I had a great friend in Italy Texas, who wanted to learn how to play guitar. He bought a Telecaster, a Gibson 335,a Paul Reed Smith, a Strat, a nice Fender amp, and he took lessons from Ken Wheeler in Dallas. After a bunch of lessons, Ken told him, "man I cannot teach you how to play guitar." The problem with my friend, was, he had no concept of musical time, absolutely no rhythm, and didn't understand I, IV, V, chord structure, or scales. I tried showing him things, but he just didn't get it. However, he loved plinkin' around and tryin' to make music. We would go to the Dallas guitar shows together, look at guitars, until we were so tired we just couldn't hardly walk. He ended up giving me the 335, the Tele, to another friend, but kept, the Strat, and the PRS. He passed away in 2010, and I miss him dearly, but every time I crank up that "335" I think of him, and not about how he couldn't play, but about his passion for the instrument. Don't give up!!!!!

Well, for starters, you can't hate golf. That's just unacceptable! I might be able to play steel just a little by now if I hated golf.

I've considered selling my gear too, since I'm not spending any time on it these days. However, my wife has told me not to. She says it will just have to be replaced whenever I decide to get back to it. She's right, so it sits well preserved in my rec room closet for the time being.

Might be 50 tomorrow for a while, and I'm thinking golf!