Pedal Steel Beginners in 2010

[Dana Blodgett]

I started again in January after being away from the PSG for 21 years. I learned on a '74 Maverick, played for 16 years got frustrated and devoted my time to the six string,electric and acoustic. Now I am back at it with a much better Sho-Bud ,about the same vintage and I am in it for the long haul. I too am almost 61 years old. I've learned a lot from the forum-there is a wealth of info here.

[Ryan Meals]

I'm also a new steel player in 2010. After playing guitar for 15+ years and working in bands, I really fell in love with the sound of the steel to the point where I just HAD to have one. Got my left-handed S-10 Pedalmaster from Roy Thomas in April. Roy was really nice to do business with.

I don't get much changes to see steel playing around Pittsburgh and I don't exactly come from a strict country background, but have got to know a couple of the players from the area.... hello, if you are reading this. The one event that made me really need one was seeing the singer Ray Lamontagne who had a steel player named Eric Heywood with him. Eric played on a lot of the SunVolt / Jay Farrar stuff. Anyway, his guitar playing and steel playing blew me away and I set about to order one right away. Took me awhile before finding Roy Thomas.

The pedal steel is really NOT the electric guitar at all, I mean it has strings... but that's about as far as it goes. I just found it difficult for quite awhile to play anything that sounded convincing. But that's all changed now. I feel comfortable playing through basic changes and am focusing on more slower and liquidy sounding playing rather than chicken-pickin' stuff for now. Using picks too.

Saw Daniel Lanois live recently. Is anyone into his solo work? Certainly not a country player, but he's an accomplished steel player! He picks with his fingers in a strange way, but sounded really nice nonetheless. It's also cool to hear the instrument in such a diverse setting.

I also found Mickey Adams videos very helpful when I ran across them on YouTube. Have watched many many of them.

I played two gigs with the steel so far, and often leave it at home just because of stage space... like if I'm only playing it on like 2 or 3 tunes the whole night. I'm looking to play it live more soon, as I am finally feeling like I'm playing it in tune with other musicians pretty decently.

Happy New Years all!

-Ryan

[Joseph Barcus]

A note to you beginners I also have over 140 videos on youtube as well that covers intros, turn arounds, and a few there talking about scales as well. Ive been playing steel off and on for well over 20 years more off than on. I am working for David Church at this time playing the classic Hank Williams Sr material and also the ones that he has wrote as well.again come visit me at you tube Im sure there will be something for you there, remember dont lean on tab to much only use ir as a tool. at some point move the paper away and try it on your own. scales scales and more scales learn where every G is. and any other chords as well the key is knowing where they all are. line the center of your body up about the 14th fret. the tip of your bar should be on the highest string you will be playing and not cover the whole set up, the only time the bar needs to be on the first string is if you are playing it. just a few pointers is all good luck and give it some time

[Zachary Walters]

Began listening to my first country music (Texas Troubadours) around fall 2009. First SD-10 right before Xmas 2009. First D-10 in March 2010, and was soon asked to play a wedding planned for November. However, I had to decline the gig request. Instead, my first show will be late this month and also one late in February, both here in Brooklyn. Thanks to Mick Adams' videos for helping to get me started, and to Gary Lee Gimble for some invaluable lessons and a few stories about some of you veterans.

[Jim Cooley]

I grew up listening to classic country, and I got hooked on the steel as a child. My dad and uncle played in a band. My uncle still plays PSG. I took up 6 string in high school, and played and sang in a couple of bands while I was in my 20s. All during that time though, pedal steel remained my favorite instrument.

I finally bought a MSA Classic S-10 in the mid 1980s. I started teaching myself with the aid of a Tommy Roots video. I played practically every day for more than a year, my skill level dangerously approaching mediocrity. Then my work situation changed. Finding it necessary to work two jobs, I didn't have nearly enough time for the PSG. I eventually "fell away."

This past year,couldn't take it any more. I decided that I am going to learn to play this thing. I got the MSA out, cleaned it up, and started playing again. This summer, I found teacher locally. I love this instrument as much as ever, and constantly kick myself for not having played during all those years. I am in the process of buying another steel. Love my MSA though I do, it looks like I am looking for a new home for old reliable.

I have bought an amp and a couple of accessories from forum members, in addition to receiving a wealth of knowledge and sound advice. I'll never be a big name player, maybe in a local band when the time is right. But that's ok. The joy I receive form playing this instrument is well worth the time, effort, and occasional inherent frustration. My forum experience had proven invaluable. Thanks SGF

-Jim-