The Steel Guitar Forum

DON'T DO IT!!

I did and it's one the biggest mistakes
I've ever made. Put it aside for the
time being and forget about it. Someday,
I bet, you'll want to try again.
I'm 72 and wish I had kept with it even
though there were obstacles to my doing
so. But now that I'm retired I have
plenty of available time. I'm considering
trying again - wishing I had my Sho-Bud!

Boy you can learn a lot here on the Forum.
Today on this topic I learned about real

Encouragement

I’m depressed, discouraged and I just can’t continue on like this. So I’m thinking about selling everything and…………

How much do you want for your stuff?

Clinton, that's the worst thing to do. I have been there. I got let go one from a band, one time. I had been playing for about a three years. A good friend of mine talked me out of it. He said to use the time away from playing, to hone the skills. That was over 30 years ago. Because while you are off, your continuation of working at it, will help you become more accomplished and proficient. And when you get to that level, you'll be ready. Don't QUIT. TRUST ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tommy Shown
SMFTBL

Clinton,

For someone starting off I'd say first, you've got way too much (more) than you need.

Tuck the extras in a closet, and only play with the steel, amp and volume pedal.

All that other stuff is ok, after you've first learned to play, but will lead you off in a bad direction while learning.

Other that the above, I have to go with Cal, it's your decision, and if you want to quit. Then that's probably what you should do.

The above, I say because with all else you've got on your mind, and love doing, I don't feel you're really into wanting to learn.

However, there seems to be somewhat of a want, or you wouldn't be making the post. You'd just up and sell the equipment, and be done with it.

Your decision has to be the choice that only you and you alone truly knows. If frustration ruins you, then you're really not into it (as you've said). So if that's the case, I'll be the first to tell you then. "No you won't make it!"

Change the frustration and you might have a good chance at it, but again, that's your call and nobody can make that call for you.

Best of the New Year, regardless!

Don

Stuart, you said what I was thinking....Ron

Please DON'T give it up, not just yet.

Email me at mr.davidhartley@btinternet.com

I will send you some freebies and YOU WILL be getting tunes out of your steel with just a little practice without knowing, and needing to know, theory..

It can be done...

You will get disheartened by it all if you're not hearing yourself playing a tune and are studying theory, tabs, etc etc.... I have something to get you started.... It's a DVD I made as a one off for someone. You will be playing a very popular tune using just A and B pedals with the E lower knee lever ONLY...

And then, I think you will stick at it.

Trust me.... I have had many people here thinking they will never grasp the instrument but I always get them playing tunes, and then, one or two of them are now working out their own melodies and instrumentals from songs they hear, and like. That's very important also to play songs and melodies of music you want to hear........

Don't do it.....I've tried twice in the last 30yrs and came back.

I finally realized that music and the pedal steel is something I'll do forever.

My biggest problem right now is getting my wife to understand that there has to be an equal ampto steel guitar ratio.I have 3 amps (with about 4 more on my wish list) but only 1 guitar.....

David,

You recently encouraged me as well in another thread. After reading your posts and watching your YouTube videos it inspired me to search for a video for someone playing "Together Again" on the piano along with another guy on rhythm guitar. I then recorded it using Audacity, this allowed me to play it back time and time again and attempt to ad the PSG to it.

I been having a ton of fun with this and with some success as well. It has inspired me and I now play and record this every night to see if I am making progress etc. This all came about from watching your YouTube videos! Thank You! Newbies like us need the encouragement from you experienced players as this instrument easily gets us down & out!

David Hartley is one of the most inspiring players I have ever had the pleasure of listening to & learning from,Thanks David.

After playing one of Fred Justice steels at the Phoenix show, l need to convince my wife that I need a Judge SD-10, to get a start on evening up my guitar to amp ratio. And Fred is a heck of a nice guy and a great player.

Don Brown, Sr. wrote:Clinton,

For someone starting off I'd say first, you've got way too much (more) than you need.

Tuck the extras in a closet, and only play with the steel, amp and volume pedal.

All that other stuff is ok, after you've first learned to play, but will lead you off in a bad direction while learning.

Other that the above, I have to go with Cal, it's your decision, and if you want to quit. Then that's probably what you should do.

The above, I say because with all else you've got on your mind, and love doing, I don't feel you're really into wanting to learn.

However, there seems to be somewhat of a want, or you wouldn't be making the post. You'd just up and sell the equipment, and be done with it.

Your decision has to be the choice that only you and you alone truly knows. If frustration ruins you, then you're really not into it (as you've said). So if that's the case, I'll be the first to tell you then. "No you won't make it!"

Change the frustration and you might have a good chance at it, but again, that's your call and nobody can make that call for you.

Best of the New Year, regardless!

Don

I have 2 of everything because I keep one set up in my travel trailer at my leased property to practice on. The only I carry back and forth is the pack seat.

I have the profex because the reverb is not working on the Fender and I use it to get the delay and reverb. I keep it on the "no frills" setting.

I don't think I have too much. Both guitars have the same set up and feel the same when playing them.

David Hartley wrote:Please DON'T give it up, not just yet.

Email me at mr.davidhartley@btinternet.com

I will send you some freebies and YOU WILL be getting tunes out of your steel with just a little practice without knowing, and needing to know, theory..

It can be done...

You will get disheartened by it all if you're not hearing yourself playing a tune and are studying theory, tabs, etc etc.... I have something to get you started.... It's a DVD I made as a one off for someone. You will be playing a very popular tune using just A and B pedals with the E lower knee lever ONLY...

And then, I think you will stick at it.

Trust me.... I have had many people here thinking they will never grasp the instrument but I always get them playing tunes, and then, one or two of them are now working out their own melodies and instrumentals from songs they hear, and like. That's very important also to play songs and melodies of music you want to hear........

I will send you an email. I have watched your youtube videos many times and I think you play great.

Clinton Damron wrote:I am considering selling all of my steel guitar equipment. After going to the West Texas Steel Guitar School, I don't think I will ever really learn how to play. I am at a point where I don't even want touch either of my guitars. I have time to practice but it seems I really don't get the hang of it so I think it may be a waist of time.
I understand what to do in my mind but it doesn't translate to my hands. I want to learn but it's just not happening for me after almost a year and a half. It's not like I came into wanting to learn and play being able to play anything else. I will be happy just listening to everybody else play. I really didn't need a new hobby anyways.



Just my random thoughts. Y'all tell me if I'm thinking right or if I should keep trying.

Take a week off and try it again.

I sent you a message. please call


Thanks, Jim

Listen to what everyone is saying here. Don't give it up. I gave up three other times and I'm hear right now and I have been 14 years and I finally got to where I can play and it sound like a Steel guitar now.Go on Steeling on the WEB and check out some of the Steel Players and watch what they are doing. I also could not play with tab. I now use Tab. Whit I done was took the top staff and just kept plying it and when i had that down I did the next and so on. Now I can do the whole thing.Don't give it up that is to easy. It takes a lot of time and practice. If you get where you get messed up don't play the next day and the do it the third day and it comes to you even better.Don't quit that is the easy way out then you will be sorry.
Sam White

When we lost Jeff Newman, we lost one of Steel Guitar's greatest teachers. However, his lessons live on and became better with each passing year. If you don't have it Clint, pick up Jeff's "Up From the Top" course. It's by far one of the best for bringing comprehensive clarity to the instrument. And you learn at your own pace. It seems like I've been playing forever, yet never obtained the proficiency I strived for. Truly, even after all those years it can be discouraging at times, but great new players like David Hartley who shares so much of his talent keeps giving me inspiration to stick with it. At 81, I no longer care to tote all that heavy equipment around anymore, but still find enjoyment in learning a new tune and just playing against tracks for my own enjoyment. Hopefully, it helps keep the mind well exercised too. There has been weeks of frustration where I just wouldn't go near it, but I'm always glad it's still there when I do go back.

Haven't sold anything yet

Haven't touched a steel in 6 weeks either I think it's time to maybe try again.

dont..i gave it up when i was 14 and stuck to the banjo. my LORD i wish i had stuck with it. now at 51 i have a LOT more ideas but i cant replace all those years without one. if nothing else i want the thing sittin there so i can try when the mood strikes. they are right. it will leave a hole.

WOW I wish David Hartley would tell me that I would jump on it right away. He is a super steel Guitar player and I would love to have what he is going to send you. I still need a lot of help. I gave it up 3 times and this last time I said i will play this Steel Guitar if it kills me I will not give up this time I have 16 years into it now and I'm getting old at 76.I have no one to teach me and I just keep trying and I do pick up some here and there.
Sam White

Well, it appears pages and pages of advice have been written here. I have one simple suggestion - read this article about Tom Morrell (who happens to be one of my favorite steel players:

http://www.westernswing.net/Morrell_Interview

In it he is asked: "What was the most difficult thing for you to learn about playing the steel guitar?"

He replies:

Everything! I was a slow learner. About five or six of us guys from my school started taking lessons from Trick Brothers. They all learned how to tickle the strings just like Little Roy Wiggins, a lot quicker than I did. It made me mad but not for long. I was the only one who “stuck” with it. All you beginners remember that….

I feel that way when I see Youtube videos of guys who have only played 6 months, and they sound better than me! Well, I am taking the Tom Morrell approach - stick with it, have fun, and you get there in the end.

You, of course, should do what seems right to you.

Doug

Steel guitar playing/learning was my passion when I started back in the early 90's. I'd go to sleep sitting at the steel playing along with CMT and the radio late at night. When I started getting in to archery in 1995, it became my passion and ate up nearly every waking hour in my brain, couldn't wait to shoot some more, always wanting to try a different release or rest, different arrows, and learning to shoot a bow was actually pretty easy, even getting proficient with it. Like you, I was successful in bow hunting my first year and that even more reinforced the passion I had for the sport.

In a few years that obsession turned into a favorite past-time and now it is just a way of life. Once the newness wore off, the steel was still there and my time with it became more fulfilling. Just a few years ago I started back into playing the steel, and this is after having been in a couple different bands and gigging pretty regularly. I still bow hunt, got a nice 10 point last season (my best with a bow ever) and while it is still one of my favorite things to do, and the brain healing I get while sitting in a tree stand somewhere most folks couldn't begin to understand, it doesn't engulf me like it once did. And, every time I walk into the man room, there is my steel sitting and patiently waiting for me. Other than my love for the Lord and my relationship with God, music has been the only other constant in my life which I always come back to.

It might just be your timing with the steel guitar and archery, one being a zillion times easier to master than the other. Keep your steel and step away from it if you have to until your desire to learn and play comes back. I think it will.

Clinton,

To play, or not, depends on an obsession for learning musical instruments.

My favorite instrument is the piano....But I would never consider making it a priority. I lacked the obsessive factor for learning the instrument....For a few months I tried the piano and gave up. Like you I was honest with myself..... I was not willing to put in the time and effort to play piano the way I wanted to hear it played. I listen to pianists with complete admiration getting so much enjoyment out of hearing pianists perform...There is nothing wrong with that mindset. At least I got on the road for a short distance only to discover the journey was not worth my time.

Paul

Its easier to quit than it is to succeed.Success take a lot more effort..Those that succeed often have to wade through failure..To set a lofty goal and a short time to reach it more than often leads to failure..Better to reach for help,lower expectations,re-asess the reason you wanted a Steel in the first place..I wanted to play Shortstop in the Majors..Wound up pitching fastpitch softball in a Church league.. talent has a lot to do with it..

Hi Clinton! Just saw your post. Man, I feel your pain! As you know, I am about as "good" as you on the steel. I get frustrated and don't even want to look at it let alone practice some days- or weeks. But I DO want to learn to play so I keep reading the forum, showing up at my local club and getting new tab that's way too hard, anyway...all that keeps my interest up. I wouldn't say I had a Eureka moment but things are starting to click, after more than a year.
Keep your stuff and don't give up. The steel has too few new players as it is. Let's try and keep it alive!

Lisa Wyrick wrote:Hi Clinton! Just saw your post. Man, I feel your pain! As you know, I am about as "good" as you on the steel. I get frustrated and don't even want to look at it let alone practice some days- or weeks. But I DO want to learn to play so I keep reading the forum, showing up at my local club and getting new tab that's way too hard, anyway...all that keeps my interest up. I wouldn't say I had a Eureka moment but things are starting to click, after more than a year.
Keep your stuff and don't give up. The steel has too few new players as it is. Let's try and keep it alive!

I think what broke me was the school. I have not touched a steel but maybe 3 times since then and don't even want to right now. What is killing me is the fact that I love to hear a steel and want to be the one making the music with one. I can't sell my equipment because I'm sure I'll kick myself if I do. I will eventually get back behind one of them and try again (I hope).

I honestly think the school was way too advanced for my skill level and I should not have attended. Maybe there will be another that is truely a "beginner" course that I can attend.