question - 'is that hard to play?'

Charles Curtis · Post by **Charles Curtis** » 8 Apr 2005 9:09 am

I wonder if it's something genetic about liking the sound? The first time I heard a steel I was hooked but the lack of "how to" material for me was frustrating. I am a firm believer in "tab"; it is a good teaching device and can keep the student interested. Later on, the "nuts and bolts" can be an option. Maybe the key is finding a good instructor that also teaches theory while keeping the student interested?

Don McClellan · Post by **Don McClellan** » 8 Apr 2005 9:26 am

What is that thing called? You're the slide guitar player, right? How long have you been playing? What does that thing do? What are those? Oh wow, I didn't even see those. Is this what they call slack key? Why do they call it a steel guitar? What made you decide to learn to play this? Is it hard?
And over here on my very favorite instrument in the world, the steel pedal, Mr. Don McClean.
It's a piece-a-cake. Where's your girlfriend? (that was funny!)

James Cann · Post by **James Cann** » 9 Apr 2005 3:14 pm

Perhaps not as a guitar, but as a mistress?<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by James Cann on 09 April 2005 at 04:15 PM.]</p></FONT>

Tom Vollmer · Post by **Tom Vollmer** » 9 Apr 2005 7:41 pm

Ted,
Steel guitars are not hard to play,they are hard to lift.I think they weigh more than in the old WLBR days in Lebanon Pa.
Also there are two steel pickers in Tilden Township (west of Hamburg Pa.) in a population of one or two thousand and both are steeling your licks.
TV

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 9 Apr 2005 8:04 pm

In a word..

"Depends..."

EJL

Willie Crisel · Post by **Willie Crisel** » 9 Apr 2005 8:42 pm

we have a keyboard player on the other side of the stage from me,,,i had a guy tell me that i was a good piano player,,,,i told him thanks,,,

Les Anderson · Post by **Les Anderson** » 9 Apr 2005 10:29 pm

The first thing you have to explain is why you need 20 or 24 strings to play the same song that guy over there can play on six strings.

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(I am not right all of the time but I sure like to think I am!)

George Plemons · Post by **George Plemons** » 10 Apr 2005 1:27 am

I always tell em that learning to play it is no problem, it was saddling up and breaking it that I had the most trouble with.

Ted Solesky · Post by **Ted Solesky** » 10 Apr 2005 1:40 am

Tommy, of the 2 thousand people, I wonder how many play a guitar or piano? I would like to receive royalties on those licks that your a steeling.

Tony Davis · Post by **Tony Davis** » 10 Apr 2005 3:07 am

I always say...go learn guitar or better still piano....get to know scales and then chords..and how they work......then come ask me the same question!
Funny.......I have two guys at work who are a problem....but just last week I let it slip that I could read and know a bit about music....and had access to get answers to any Questions they had...............the change in both these young fellows attitude to me....and the job in general was amazing......they were both saying...I need to be taught properly.....or want to read etc....I just said.."Go find a teacher......I dont have the patience" but when you learn a bit...then come ask me what you dont understand and I will answer or find out
I have put a few mins on tape of me playing wildwood flower Carter Family style//.....then a little of blues style...both styles with alternating bass notes./........then maybe Bill Bailey tune ..chords..and bass notes on Dobro.....I think something on steel too............
I have said to both of them...."Here is the deal!!!....I will help you just as long as you dont take it as me showing you how much better than you I am!...I just want to help you "
They have both said....."Wow !!!!"what a deal......you'll get lots of questions.
I like doing this.....also I hope and think that it is a Bridge building thing.....between people of our age and young people of about 20 or so.....suddenly finding out that people who have been in bands most of their lives really do know their music and if approached the right way instead of being looked on as "Silly Old Buggers who try to tell me what to do..just cos they are supervisors or whatever,,,,,,,,,,,,
Well lets see if it works........I really hope so....for other reasons I wont go into here

Larry Strawn · Post by **Larry Strawn** » 10 Apr 2005 7:37 am

"How hard is it to play"?
Even though I"m just "scratching the surface" on my instruments capability myself, My answer is usually relevent to thier degree of intrest!

There are a couple of young "rock" six string whangers in town that are really interested, with these young folks I'm taking time to explain as much as I can trying to keep them interested.

To the casual looky loo, I usually just say "not to bad, once you learn you don't have to wear it around your neck"! lol..
Larry

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Emmons S/D-10, 3/4, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"

Bruce W Heffner · Post by **Bruce W Heffner** » 10 Apr 2005 6:22 pm

Hey Teddy we miss you here in Tilden Township.

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www.pedalsteel.net

Joe Naylor · Post by **Joe Naylor** » 10 Apr 2005 7:49 pm

Of all the answers I like --- Jon Jaffe
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"It's a piece of cake! Come up here and give it a try while I dance with your girl friend."

------ but first I will looooook over the girl friend

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Joe Naylor, Avondale, AZ (Phoenix)Desert Rose Guitar, Southwest Steel Guitar Association, Life Member of the Arizona Carport Pickers Association

Ted Solesky · Post by **Ted Solesky** » 10 Apr 2005 8:09 pm

Joe, Jon's answer sounds like our style. Wally, I do miss the 'bunch' back that way. I'd like to come back and visit to see you all. You all were like an older, older brother to me.

Bill Bosler · Post by **Bill Bosler** » 11 Apr 2005 7:27 pm

Playing pedal steel is one thing. Setting it up can be quite another. It never hurts to have a fully equipped machine shop handy. Tom Vollmer changed my D-10 Emmons P/P over to the Day set-up for me years ago.

George Plemons · Post by **George Plemons** » 12 Apr 2005 8:09 am

I like your anwser Joe!!!! Really, I always try to encourage anybody who ask to try it because there are not many bad people that are steel players and most all of them will help you anyway they can. I have probably sold quite a few Carters for Bud sending them his way...maybe one of these days John will at least say thanks.

Paul Honeycutt · Post by **Paul Honeycutt** » 12 Apr 2005 8:36 am

Willie, your answer reminds me of a time I played a party as a duo with a PSG player. The host's girlfriend came over to him and said, "I just love your cute little organ!" I think the whole room burst out in laughter.

Jennings Ward · Post by **Jennings Ward** » 13 Apr 2005 8:15 am

THE MOST HONEST ANSER I CAN THINK OF IS " YOU ARE ONLY LIMITED BY YOUR POCKETBOOK AND EQUALLY MORE IMPORTANT,,, YOUR TALENT. """""TALLENT CAN NOT BE PURCHASED, YOU EITHER HAVE IT OR YOU DONT.....JENNINGS..LOTS OF POSSUM HELPS, ACORDING TO ME.....

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EMMONS D10 10-10 profex 2 deltafex ne1000 pv1000, pv 31 bd eq, +

Billy Wilson · Post by **Billy Wilson** » 13 Apr 2005 8:32 am

Yeah, But it's worth it.

Ted Solesky · Post by **Ted Solesky** » 13 Apr 2005 6:38 pm

Hey guys, a young kid was at my door selling cookies for his church and asked, 'are you the guy who plays a guitar?'. I corrected him and asked him if he's ever heard a steel. He said he wasn't sure so, I took to my guitar and gave him ear phones (for Rockman practice amp - super sounding gadget) and his eyes got big. He said he had 3 guitars and one of them was a 'Les Paul' Gibson.! I may have planted a bug in him or at least gave the steel a little more recognition - promotion for the steel sound was my goal.

Klaus Caprani · Post by **Klaus Caprani** » 14 Apr 2005 1:55 pm

Yeah. Very difficult but potentially very addictive.

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Klaus Caprani

MCI RangeXpander S-10 3x4
www.klauscaprani.com