The Steel Guitar Forum

Hello everyone, Im just getting into playing the steel that has been a lifelong dream for me. Well for at least the 19 years ive been around. Just lookin for a little direction on how to start playin the steel. If anyone has any tips or pointers on where to start or what the easiest process is iam all ears. Thanks for your help and time.
Kevin Hejl Waco, Texas

Welcome Kevin from Alabama,you will find the help you need here,if I can help in any way,just e-mail me. DYKBC.

Hi Kevin, welcome to the forum. I'm something of a beginner myself. I would recommend finding a good teacher for one on one instruction. There are also many good instruction books, cd's and dvd's out there. The one I'm using is Mel Bay's Deluxe Pedal Steel Guitar Method by DeWitt Scott (book and cd). Good luck and stay with us! BTW, what brand of steel do you play?

Well Glenn i havent bought one yet but have looked at some beginner models. Really not sure if i want to go that direction or get a more expensive model. Whats your thought??

Kevin, the best advice I could give is to let Jody Cameron get you started. He lives in Angelton Texas and is a great teacher with a very common sense approach. Also if your serious i would get a good steel, one you can grow with. They cost more but it will be worth it. As Bama C said if I can help I'm an email away, Although I'm kinda of a newby myself.
Bill D

Kevin, I would invest in a good pro model steel. Personally, I wouldn't bother with a beginner model because they are not as well made as a pro, and they don't hold their value as well. If you were to buy a pro model steel and then decide to sell it, you could at least get your money back. Check out the Instruments For Sale section in the forum.

Buy a lap steel and begin with that. If you stick with it through learning slants, and still want the pedal sound, get a pedal steel.

Above all else, find a teacher in your area!

Never underestimate what you can learn from watching lessons on youtube either...

+1 to everything stated above.

Welcome to this great forum Kevin
wish i was 19 & startin out...
you done come to the right place all right
keepin' away's gonna be hard so hang on

like the fo'bro suggested, hook up w: a steeler & get pointers & lessons
the Mickey Adams & Greg Cutshaw tabs & vids are real good too

Welcome to the forum Kevin.
The Texas Steel Guitar Assosciation is having it's annual show at the Sheraton Hotel in Irving TX in March.
Many of the world's top players will be performing and there are lots of guitars on show(some at good discounts too)
There are loads of people to talk to,Pro's Amateurs and beginners.
Why do'nt You come along.
Myself and several of My Scottish compadres will be there.
Look forward yo seeng You there
Billy

http://www.texassteelguitar.org/jam.html

Kevin,

By all means, go to the Texas Convention in March.
Everything from "newbie" to "top pro" equipment and information. This is probably the best source of information in one place. All the pros will help anyway they can.
Check this out:
http://www.texassteelguitar.org/jam.html

You have already done the best thing a new pedal steel guitar player can do by joining the SG forum. The players here are super people and always willing to help another player. There is a wealth of information here that will help you along your way. Welcome to the brotherhood. Thanks. Zeke

Welcome. I too am a newbie with less than 6 months under my belt.

My advice is to buy Winnie Winston's book. Find a teacher, read the forum alot, look at Mickey Adams on Youtube, Steve Benzian on Youtube, Visit Greg Cutshaw's site, buy Doug Beaumier's 60 song tab book, check out the Jeff Newman stuff, Check out Joe Wright's site at pedalsteel.com, listen to alot of steel music from Susan Alcorn to Speedy West and just basically immerse yourself in it daily. Meet with live steel players whenever you can. Oh, and don't be in a hurry to get where you are going. As I am learning its gonna take a lifetime. Well, that's a start anyway.

As for the guitar, do alot of reading on the site, track the for-sale section. You might want to consider getting a pro model with at least 3 foot pedals and 5 knees. Get something you won't outgrow.

Wow I appreicate everyones response to my post. I will really have to look into goin to the steel convention in march. Once again thanks for everyones input!

I would also like to add...check out David Hartley on Youtube. Very inspiring stuff.

Kevin, you live in the right place to learn. You can throw a rock in any direction in Texas and hit a good Steel player.

Twayn Williams wrote:Buy a lap steel and begin with that. If you stick with it through learning slants, and still want the pedal sound, get a pedal steel.

I second this advice, because its the route I took. I just bought a pedal steel off the forum, but have been playing lap steel and dobro for a few years now.

Kevin,

If you're thinking of buying a pedal steel, an S10 pro-model, tuned E9th with (minimum) 3 pedals and 4 levers or (better) 4 pedals and 5 levers is a good way to go. Once you have mastered that guitar you'll be about 86 years old and quite likely in the Steel Guitar Hall Of Fame!

Beginner or student models are often limited in capability and will frustrate you or you'll take a bath when you sell it. The extra money invested in a decent S10 pro-model steel will repay itself time and time again.

Bobbe Seymour and Billy Cooper's shops sell good second-hand steels and their respective websites are well worth browsing. Carter also sell traded models. (I bought my superb Carter from them as a traded steel, although quite what possessed the owner to trade in such a magnificent instrument still escapes me!)

Anyway, the addiction is likely to be lifelong but fortunately not terminal. Welcome to the most arcane, addictive musical instrument ever to emerge from the ever-fertile mind of Man, the precision-engineer!