The Steel Guitar Forum

Questions , On The Forum, about Your Steel Guitar,
over Six Thousand Members, with a few seeming to dominate
with their intalect arguments. answering a simple question.
The Steel is (not ) One of the most diffacult inatruments to learn to play, ha,, I can't spell either, but who cares,

Herbie

Good question. I think its because people are afraid of controversy. It takes some courage to participate here, because for every opinion there is an anti. Which is good I think for discussion. Alot of people won't defend their positions for fear of controversy. There is a ton of information here on steel guitar. More should participate.

KEVIN
I was thinking along those lines, and wishing more New Steel Players would Jump in here, and not get the idea,
As some say, The Steel Guitar is the most diffacult instrument to play, I have not found this to be true,
As I think it is surely easier than learning The Standard Guitar,
If you play !! Your own Style !! and not try to copy the Pro Recording Stars, ( They each seem to have their own Style )
And I will agree, trying to copy a Pro, and sound like His picking
Is very Diffacult, They have an accent of their own,

Herbie

Hi Herby,
I know what you mean !
Maybe it is for that reason that I have a few guys e-mailing me direct, for whatever assistance I can give. You are welcome to do the same.
I believe we can all learn from one another.
Regards,
Nic

Thanks NICK
I Have enjoyed clicking on your Music,
to listen, Some fine Steel Playing

Herbie

Yeah, Herbie, I am a little afraid, but it really has nothing to do with the forum members causing me to be. I am new to pedal steel, new to computers, and new to the Steel Guitar Forum. And yes, I live in a cave! While all of this offers a middle-aged guy great learning opportunities, I have a shy nature and feel more "out of my leauge" than ever in my life! Especially here in the company of such talented, knowledgeable, and experienced folks. My biggest fear is saying the wrong thing, and being a "taker" instead of a "giver". I'd say I am not alone.

I guess all I can offer is a cheerful learning spirit, maybe some humor and fellowship, and a respectful thanksgiving to ALL forum members at ALL times, keeping in mind that I owe a debt, in some way, to everyone here.

Thanks to all.

Charlie

Hey CHARLIE,
I retreated to this ,Cave, in Arkansas, when I retired,
with Some old outdated Recording equipment,
To mess around with, Got this Computer, and while browsing around ,I spotted, Bobby Lee, who I had met in California,
Wrote b0b an email, and joined The Forum, It has been interesting,

I still play, fund rasers, benefits, and once in a while, a Radio Show. Done Burned Out.

Herbie

Herbie,I found out early in life,if you want to know something,ask questions.At 54 years af age,I ain't got forever to learn how to play this fascinating instrument.....I've got to get on with the program.I'll tell you something else,the youngest novice can show you something that you don't know!

ANDY
I know you are right about asking questions
My post was, aluding to how many members might be afraid to Post A Topic, or ask questions,

Herbie

Most people who "join" websites merely cruise through looking for information periodically. On almost every site it's a smalle percentage who are active participants. I don't think it's so much that people are "afrraid" to post as they just don't feel a need to - they use the serach function, find answers, and go on their way. It's sad that they don't contribute anything...but if they're playing they are contributing in at least a small way.

As I think it is surely easier than learning The Standard Guitar,

FWI - Wow, do I disagree with that. As a many-decades guitar player, I think steel is exponentially harder to play than standard guitar. The simple fact that there's a bar that has to be precisely placed rather than fixed frets makes it immensely more difficult.

I'm a relative newcomer to the Forum, and I've found you Forumites to be super helpful and friendly. I learn a lot here every day! I guess if someone says something rude, you can always ignore them .

BUT...before posting, always search the forum first! Many topics have already been covered in great detail.

I think steel is exponentially harder to play than standard guitar

whooo... Jim and i agree on something ..this has got to be a first

Andy, it was great talking to you last night

I read a lot of the post and enjoy doing so. I am a huge fan of the instrument and the players and until a couple months ago never owned a steel (just bought a left handed ShoBud S-10). I am left handed and could never get the hang of playing right handed. I get my 'steel' fix by playing bass at steel shows around PA, OH, Va, and any where else I get a chance. I don't post often mainly because I'm not a steeler and really don't have much to comment on. I kind if feel out of place sometimes.

Always beware - there is a left handed bass player out here lurking around .

I can say, truthfully, that I've learned many of the most important things in my life from inexperienced people asking "dumb" questions!! When we become experienced in any avenue of life, it's natural to also begin to block out the simplest of concepts and ideas. After all, we've already learned how to "do it right", no? No! I have to keep reminding myself that I have more to learn, than I was ever taught.

Those "dumb" questions and "newbie" (i hate that label) statements come from a desire to learn and should NEVER be disparaged, ridiculed or ignored....and sadly I've seen it done on this Forum! But, thank God, it's very seldom and is usually corrected in short order.

I think us "old pros", so to speak, should have great respect for, and show deference to, any new member here....they could be the next Big E with a little help from their friends on this Forum.

Well, Herbie, from my point of view, I have to say it's just a little intimidating to get on here and really try to add something, when 1) a fairly new member 2) not a really good player 3) and there are at least 6000 memberes who are probably really good players, and 4) there are a bunch of the worlds best amongst that 6000 !
If I would have a question, maybe it's dumb stupid, and everybody else has thought of that already....
But I tell you 1 thing, this Form is addictive, spending a lot time on here learning & listening; thanks to you all....

JIM
I always believed a good ear for pitch, And the Bar is made to slur the notes into pitch. That is what sets the Steel apart,
for the beautiful sound,

I remember when the Lead Guitarists switched to slinky strings
trying to imitate the Steel, by stretching the strings, Some do a darn good job , as in Rock Music, also Country.thus Rock did not need the steel,
I started on what was then called an accoustic Hawiaan Steel Guitar,E Maj.tuning when the Elec. Lap Steels came along, I was ready for that, then the PSG just made playing easier,
my fingers were not able to make the Chords at that age,on a Standard Guitar, But I did play lead Guitar several years after, but found I could stay employed with the PSG, and Fiddle.
So I still have to say, The PSG is easier for me to play,and learn, (By Ear ) than a Lead Guitar. And the Fiddle is easier than both

Herbie

I'm with Herbie. I've been playing steel for almost 9 years. I hit MANY "stumps" along the way, and still hit them. But still, the steel guitar seems much easier for me than six-string. Here's why.... if I learn a kick-off on steel, (in G, for example) I can easily play it in C, D,F, ect., by simply moving the bar. The finger work and petal/knee lever work stays the same. on six-string, if I learn the same kick-off in G, then G is the only key I can play it in. Any other key, and I have to learn the finger work all over again.ha! IMO, the fiddle is one of the hardest instruments to master.
Mitch

Herbie....I agree with you. I've never thought the steel was all that diffcult myself. Even after a 40 year layoff I was able to hit the right chords most of the time. I've been trying to make what goes on between the chords more interesting and I've got a lot of help from this forum. Most of the time I get what I need without posting but on the occasions I need an answer it dosent bother me to ask. In fact some of the best help has come from some of the more arrogant members so who cares as long as they answer my question.

My biggest fear is saying the wrong thing, and being a "taker" instead of a "giver". I'd say I am not alone.

I'm with you there, Charlie. Being new to steel I feel I don't have much to contribute, but I do take alot from the forum. I spend about 10 minutes a day cruising through the forum. In 3 months I've learned plenty just "listening" and using the search function.

Hopefully someday I'll have more to contribute. For now, I'm honored to be a part of this.

I have never seen a stupid question here from a newbe,Don't be afraid to ask ANYTHING,If someone thinks it's stupid that's their problem.Playing steel [or any instrument] can be hard to understand for a beginner ,SO DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK ANYTHING!!!!Also don't be afraid to express your opinion about anything relative to the forum.I love a good debate such as Roger and I are having on the Music site about Hee HAW.Just keep it CIVIL,CLEAN,and RESPECTABLE,And keep in mind everyone has a RIGHT to their opinion no matter if you agree with them or not.So if ANY of you feel intimidated or bashful about posting here,DON'T BE!

Herbie,

I don't know squat about steel, but I think this site is as valuable for guys like me as it is for the pros--just for different reasons. This forum isn't like a pick-up baseball game where you get run off the field for dropping a fly. People here go out of there way to help.

No need to worry here or be intimidated from asking a question regardless of how simple or ridiculous it may sound. #1 You are among friends here, over the years I've learned that a question unasked is a question that continues to be unanswered. Even if somebody belittles you for a question really doesn't reflect your own ignorance rather the person belittling you of his own ignorance. It would seem everytime I go to a convention I have lots of questions and I do ask them but I listen to others here on the forum as well and have yet to have a question go unanswered. So Stand up son and ask away.

Hey, Guys THANKS
I will feel a bit more comfortable about sticking my 2 cents in the Forum, after reading all your replys, I don't have much to offer, as I had to learn what I do know, without any coaching, Then the rest was learned on the Band Stand, just growing up with the Lap, and PSG, Must say I tried to learn something from all musicians I played gigs with, there is a lot I learned from working with a good Lead Guitar buddy, that I could use on the PSG, I do think you will learn ,more,quicker, by just jumping in with a Band, and let it fly. I freelanced most of my playing with many dozens of Bands, and that is one reason I always carried the Fiddle along, They kicked off something I did not know, I could fill in back up with the Fiddle.
So get on a bandstand, ever chance you get, pick it simple,
and you will steal the show, Just stay in time. and in tune,
With the Vocal. back up.
with what ever licks come to your mind, it does work,
I never play the same tune, The same way each time.

Herbie

PS AL,,,,I still dont agree with you,,,ha,,no pun

Herbie,by your last post,you already know a lot more than some[yes go can learn more in a month playing with a band than a year in your living room by yourself]But the MOST IMPORTENT thing you said,[PLAYING IN TEMPO AND IN TUNE.]

OOOPS

That P.S, was suppose to be for Jim,,,,,,
One reason the PSG is easier now, than The Lead Guitar
I get to sit down for the 4 hour gig