The Steel Guitar Forum

As mentioned when joining this forum, I do not play steel but love this instrument and its' beautiful sound. I need suggestions as to what instruction manuals, etc, are best for someone who knows very little about the pedal steel. Something for beginners explaining all the mechanics and and what they do...

The mechanical side is a simple concept though it varies a bit from steel to steel. A lever is pushed by the knee or a pedal is pushed by the foot activating a linkage that connects to a mechanism (called a changer )that is attatched to the strings. Each lever or pedal either raises or lowers a particular string or strings sometimes raising one and lowering another. Different combinations of pedals and levers and strings create different chords and scales which of course is what music is made up of. Now putting this into practice is where the art comes in. It's not really as complicated as it sounds. Once the sounds and music become connected with the mechanics it's really a matter of developing mind-body coordination (as with any instrument). This is all fueled by enthusiasm for the beauty of the sound.
In my opinion, some of the very best starter courses for someone that wants to play are the Jeff Newman courses. Most people start with the basic E9 courses because of the familiarity of the style. Better yet--find a teacher in your area that hopefully will start you out with the right techniques and avoid growing bad habits that will be difficult to change later in order to progress. Hope this helps.--Scott

Scott, thanks for taking the time to reply. You have been very helpful, the explanations simple and direct. I am aware of the signifigance of the pedals, but not much more. In the future I will understand more about the instrument as these terms are referred to on the forum...

Hi, I am also new to psg. I have been waiting for my guitar. While waiting I bought a few books to read. They are available here on the forum. The are: # I-200 Winnie Winston Pedal Steel Guitar. The other is, # MB-08 Anyone can play E9 pedal steel guitar. As per machanics of the guitar try looking at the," for sale instruments", pictures on the forum. Good Luck, Roger

Thanks, I appreciate your advice very much ! I will definitely check out the items you mentioned in your post...

Well you can get on a rowboat or a jet. One is a bit quicker than the other. Personally I'd opt for the Newman courses. I only say this because my first course in the '70s was the Winnie Winston Course. Though I was learning with that one and enjoying it, I didn't get anywhere fast until I found a teacher who was teaching the Newman method. After that I kept on with his courses and found them to be very effective. He (Newman) doesn't keep you spinnin your wheels in the ditch but teaches you stuff you can use right away. I think you grow a lot faster that way--learning what you can use and using what you can learn. Also the Newman video courses are now on DVD and you can put them in front of you and your steel and it's like being with the greatest teacher. Then there's a band track you practice it with. Just my opinion but I think a lot here will agree. It's hard to find a good steel teacher in a lot of locations and here you have one of the best on DVD that will show you how to do everything.

I fully agree Scott, his techniques and universal course are great. Of course, The up from the top series is great to. My problem has been that I can watch and read the materials but if don't have your guitar yet well......I guess I will have to strum my six string till then. Mister Rudolf told me today it would soon be ready. Do you have a D-10 ? I am awaiting a package from Pedalsteel.com Joe Wrights universal course. Hopefully only a couple more weeks and I will have the guitar and enough courses to last awhile. I am also hoping that a fellow from my town will teach me. He has been " nominated at the Canadian Country Music Awards show as one of the top five steel guitar players in the nation" That must have taken years of dedication. I hope he receives the award. Take care, Roger

Hi Katie,

Having a good music theory background will allow you to easily understand what the different pedals and levers do. If you've got experience there then the Newman courses are probably a good start. If you don't know any theory it will take considerably longer to learn how to actually use the pedals and levers to do what they're designed to do. I'd be happy to suggest some theory books if you're interested, as they really are the key to the logic behind the various pedals and levers. Either way, it is a beautiful instrument. Welcome to the club.

-Jeff

Jeff, many thanks for your sugestions. And, please send me info on the music theory sources when time permits...

Hi Katie,

Not to put Jeff off, but the term "music theory" might scare the beginner off. I, for one (and Jeff Newman for another), always believed anyone can learn to play steel, even with no musical background at all.

'Course, if you already know how to strum a few chords on a 6-string guitar, that'll make it easier to understand playing steel. How much easier over someone who, like Sgt. Schultz, "knows nuuuuthing"? Maybe like 10 percent -- i.e., no big deal. Just go for it! You'll have some occasional frustration, but lots more fun!

Good luck!
Bill

I agree that many players -- some of them pretty good pickers -- know no music theory to speak of. How you approach your music education is totally up to you. Some folks focus only on the WHAT -- what notes to play when, which pedals or knee levers to use -- a more or less mechanical approach -- you do this then you do that.

That approach does get your fingers on the strings and your mind concentrating on the movements and sounds you need to make.

Some concentrate on the WHY -- a more cerebral approach. They make diagrams and learn scales and learn the arithmetic of music -- how to construct a major scale in any key -- and, of course, what a major scale IS and how it's used in music.

That approach will allow the player to communicate with other players using the established language of music. It will also allow the player to start a 'musical file cabinet' in the brain, where stuff is stored in a logical way. Simple concepts can be built upon and understood within a logical context. For some people this makes learning new things easier because you have 'a place to put it'.

If you spend all your time drawing fingerboard charts and studying the academic aspects of the music your technique will suffer because that time could have been spent playing 'Danny Boy', note for note, as Jeff Newman wrote it out in tablature. With a knowledge of music -- scales and chord progressions -- you can more easily figure out the song just by listening to it and hearing how the chords change. It's kinda like teaching someone to fish vs giving them a fish dinner.

My advice:
* Spend some time learning songs -- note for note -- e.g., from a course.
* Spend some time learning where individual notes are on your guitar. Then learn what scales are and where to find major scales in all keys. Then learn where to find simple chords and how they are used.
* Spend some time just noodling. The more accomplished you become, the more noodling will allow you to explore your own approach to music.

Yeah, I agree with Larry. It's good to include all of those things when learning any new instrument. My point is, a background in music theory will only help speed the learning process. I don't know anyone who wishes they knew less about the functional aspect of music. I hear too many people say "I play by ear", which basically means they don't know the theory behind what they do. That statement also implies that people who do know their theory don't play by ear, which is just not true. The ear is the biggest part of music theory. We all play by ear. Ask Paul Franklin if knowing his theory helps his playing. It opens doors for you to become the best player you can be. Music theory when you're talking about basic country music is exactly that. BASIC. It's probably the best type of music to start on if you're trying to hear how chords move. Sorry, I'm just a big fan of knowing what you're doing when you play any instrument. It gives you the opportunity to play with and communicate with other musicians, which is ultimately the goal of learning an instrument. You want to play with other people. Most of us don't want to just sit in the basement and noodle forever. What if the band wants to do the tune in a key we didn't learn it in? I'll get that info to you a bit later today, Katie. I think it will be a big help, otherwise I wouldn't have taken the time to mention it. The most important thing is to enjoy yourself. Music will give back to you whatever you put into it.
There is ultimately no bad way to approach learning.

-Jeff

Katie -

Re: Larry Bell's post

I must support Larry's approach in the fullest. The three things which he outlines at the end of his post are designed to provide diversity to the learning process. It's that diversity which helps to maintain your interest and enthusiasm. Any one item, by itself, would soon lead to boredom and a feeling that progress is passing you by. By delving into all three, in reasonably equal measure, you'll find yourself repeatedly saying "Aha!" as the pieces begin to fit themselves together thus providing impetus to continue with ambition and fervor!

Good post, Larry!

My best to you in your quest.

Richard

Advice from a new player: It is good to ask questions. However, it is my opinion that Whatever book you buy, whatever advice anyone tells you, well it won't make much sense until you actually have the pedal steel in front of you.

Theory is universal and will go a long way to help your understanding of playing. there is no disputing that. But theory will not show you how to finesse the volume pedal, or train your hands to go to the right grips. Theory does not help you mute unwanted strings.

I know you have alot of questions now, but once you get your steel, I am sure you will have plenty more.

Once you have your steel, the things written on this board will make more sense.

The more you learn conceptually about anything the better you will be at it. You will be spending a year or so just getting some of the basic motor skills learned to play basic songs,, so why not learn a LITTLE theory while you are at it? Like what makes a chord major or minor etc. Then youll use those pedals and string grips with more confidence. You dont need to be able to plop sheet music in front of you and just go, but knowing how to make chords can really open up your playing. After that first year you will be more advanced if you learn some very rudimentary theory at the same time.

One more book that gets left out a bunch is "the anthology of pedal steel guitar" with the CD by DeWitt Scott. Its intermediate in my opinion, but has a wealth of songs and licks/fills/turnarounds/

Have fun!

I think b0b should sticky Larry's post under beginner advice. Great post.

Also, spend some time going out and watching and listening to other steelers. This will teach you things about music you won't find in a course or book. Watching videos on youtube can be helpful, but you're restricted by the cameraman's point of view, and the mix (in a band situation) can be terrible. There is no substitute for observation of (and feedback from) other players. You'll never become a good player playing in a vacuum, which is where a lot of players seem to be stuck. Some players practice diligently, and play quite well in their own homes, only to stumble repeatedly when they work with a band. Live music, with it's "you can't do it over" restriction and it's extemporaneous nature, is quite a different animal from playing with tracks.

Newbie to newbie, my advise is find a teacher if you can. There is no substitute IMHO. It will keep you focused and motivated, and help you avoid developing bad habits that will haunt you later on.

And speaking of teachers, my youngest daughter who is a grad student in viola performance at UCLA, was just asked to teach a music theory class this year. I just had to throw that in. [/img]

For more on learning the mechanical side, go to the Carter website and they have a resources section that explains different systems and how they work.

Go to the top of this page and click links. Then click on manufacturers. Click on Carter and there you will find their resources section.

Thank you Richard, and all who have replied ! I did check out the Carter site and found it to be very informative and helpful. The site was extremely helpful in showing me the different parts of the pedal steel,one of the main things I needed to study. If not for getting up so early, I would probably be up all night reading ! As another topic mentioned, this forum is definitely addictive ! O well--have to rest sometime...

Katie, also when you go to the Carter Website, there's a section called Steel Guitar Illustrated where you can learn about all the parts of a pedal steel guitar. There's a video on YouTube that is a clip of a show called "How It's Made" and there's an episode that shows how a pedal steel guitar is built.

Brett

Thank you Brett ! I will check that out also!

Katie, if you go here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iO_mjS2eU8 you will see the How it's Made episode, featuring the Fulawka Pedal steel guitar, made by Eddie Fulawka of Ontario Canada

Thank you also,

There is so much to study and learn....

Katie,

After you've gone through some or all of the above; and after you have found your way around some basic pedal/knee moves...then give yourself a well-deserved break.

Put all the written data and notes away.

Have no scripts in front of you.

Go over to your audio system and put on a big favorite song that you love. With or without the fact it has steel in it.

Turn on your amp, get comfortable, turn on the song and the volume.

Now - just relax, and let the music flow over you, and start to play. Find the key and see what you can do.

Pay attention to the rhythm and your intonation.

But most of all, just have FUN. That's what it's all about. Forget if you make clunkers. You will make clunkers the rest of your life. Just like Buddy and Jeff. We all do.

But you gotta start playing in a band situation. You gotta start playing with other musicians. The quickest way at your stage is to simply play along with a song. You know - CD, LP, Cassette - whatever. Get the rhythm going.

There is no music without a beat.

ie - I'm saying that after all of your intense 'practicing' - you now have to let go, relax, and play along with the big boys (and girls).
Don't forget to have fun. It's a very important part of the learning experience.

Chipper

Katie, the impression I get is that you are a fan of the steel guitar, but don't own one, or play one, and are not considering owning or playing one. You are interested in how the mechanics work, etc.
The Winnie Winston book is a great resource for understanding the evolution, the mechanics, the players and different tunings of the pedal steel, plus there are photos of the greats in there. I often have mine by the bedside, or in the bathroom, and I've had my copy for fifteen years...Jerry