The Steel Guitar Forum

would someone be so kind as to direct me to where i
may find books [etc.] on how to read non-pedal steel
guitar music. (from scratch)?

"Basic C6th Nonpedal Lap Steel Method" by DeWitt Scott teaches lap steel using tab and music notation. It is available right here on the forum and would be a good place to start. (Click on "Instruction" at the top of the page)

I gotta say though, that although I play piano and read music, I haven't had much luck playing steel directly from sheet music -- I need to tab it out first.

I think being able to play steel from sheet music would be a great skill to have, good luck!

If I'm not mistaken, the Jerry Byrd book has a section on that. I can sight read onto a lap steel to some degree. But with my eyes on the page I find it hard to play in tune.

How many times have you heard the old sayingDon't care WHO says it,IMO that's a stupid statement.True there are a lot of GREAT players that can't read a note,but they were BLESSED with a great ear.DYKBC.

Any intro to Classical guitar book will show you the Treble Clef. However I suggest an Intro to Piano book which will also introduce you to the Bass Clef.

Probably a trip to the Library would get you everything you need to read most modern musical notation.

Tabliture is usually specific to a particular tuning but being familiar with this notation system can helpful for some instruments.