The Steel Guitar Forum

Just wanted to say hello. I am buying a GFI s-10 from Bobbe Seymour with hopes of learning to play pedal steel. I have been playing guitar for 30 years. Any recommendations from seasoned players on instructional books or dvd's to get me started ? thanks.

Tell Bobbe to jump start you with some of his DVDs. They are very informative and I've used a lot of them. He is such a cool guy that he might even throw in one of his CDs on the deal.

Karen, if you are near the Pioneer Valley, you might get a few lessons with Doug Baumier.

DVDs are great . . . but there is nothing like a person-to-person encounter over a couple of steels! Dougie has been teaching for years, too.

Chris

Get exposed to everything you can about the pedal steel. One thing that helped me is printing out some tablature for the intros and breaks on some of your favorite songs and dive in. One great thing about the people involved with this great instrument is, if you can't find it tabbed out somewhere, just post your request on the forum and someone will tab it out for you. Also learn some scales. Just so it doesn't get to confusing, just learn some scales on strings ie. 3&5 or 3&4 or 5&6 etc., so long as it's just 2 strings. Just learn it well enough to do it in your sleep, then you can add another string group. I know I'm probably loading you up with too much info, but everything you do just builds you up for the next level of learning. The first time I was able to play along with a CD, it sent chills up my arm, wow, it just did again thinking about it. Everytime I sit down at my guitar, I'm like a kid in a candy store, whether I'm practicing at home or playing out somewhere. Just a word of encouragement, I too played 6 string for many years before I started in on steel, and from the time I first fit my fingers for picks until I played my first gig, was 8 mos. Now I was definately not Paul Franklin material. And I did mess up, but everytime got easier, and after that first gig I never turned back, and now after almost 4 years of living and breathing this monster, I can hear something on the radio and go home and play it. Practice, Practice, Practice. As a guitar player yourself, you already know, but everyday you don't play, is one more day it's going to take to get there. And if you have something better to do than play steel guitar, you'll never be a great player. Just my very humble opinion. My poor wife has supported my love affair from the start. And at times she has had to compete, and yes I have kissed her good night with my finger picks on many times as she went on to bed, but she loves to hear me play now. At first she said it sounded like a bunch of drunk cats. I could go on, but I am obsessed with these things they call steel guitars. Maybe someday I'll write a book about it all, heck right here I've already got the first few chapters..............good luck, and PS you will love this forum, the people are 110% AWESOME !!!!!

I agree with Robert. IMO, there is nothing like person to person, steel to steel instruction with a professional; this saves a lot of time and obviates frustration. Been there, done that with one of the best, Jay Dee, the man. IMO, this starts you on the right track with the right methods.

I have about 7 months of lessons under my belt, and I wouldn't want to try to learn this on my own. Not that I couldn't, but the ability to come back to a real player after two weeks with questions and have bad habits addressed before they get out of hand is very valuable.

There is a lot of good material on DVD if lessons aren't possible. I'm working through some Jeffran material along with my teacher now.

A metronome is a must IMHO.

I totally agree with these guys, there is no substitution for a "live" teacher. but when I started, in my area there was no such person that I could find. So I had to do it the hard way. yuk !!

Hi Karen,

There are a few of us new England steelers whom sometimes get together to share ideas and learn from one another. If it is something you are interested in I can email you about it.

Brian Kurlychek wrote:Hi Karen,

There are a few of us new England steelers whom sometimes get together to share ideas and learn from one another. If it is something you are interested in I can email you about it.

yes please email !

come watch some of my youtube videos its geared for what youre looking for and its FREE go to this link and you will find other videos as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKOv-FWZVw0

Prepare yourself for your new addiction Karen
You should try to get some one on one lessons as soon as possible. It will save you lots of time and frustration. It will feel awkward at first but if you hang in there you're hooked!
I think Bruce Bouton's DVD "Learn to play pedal steel" has some good tips and exercises that might be helpful too.

Winnie Winston's "Pedal Steel Guitar" (co-authored by Bill Keith) is a bit dated, but has some really fundamental stuff and is rightly regarded as a classic. If you can find a copy, well worth adding to your steel guitar resource library.

If you get the chance to go hear a band that has a steel in it, go listen to them. You also learn a lot by watching the player and work on your style. It's good to do the tab and practice every chance you get but goin out and listening to other players (recorded and live ) helped me out immensely. But most important don't be afraid to ask questions about how it's done.I've been at it for 30 years and I still ask if I'm not sure. That's the only way one's ever going to learn this beautiful instrument,we call the steel guitar.
Tommy

Ned McIntosh wrote:Winnie Winston's "Pedal Steel Guitar" (co-authored by Bill Keith) is a bit dated, but has some really fundamental stuff and is rightly regarded as a classic. If you can find a copy, well worth adding to your steel guitar resource library.

Get it right here from bOb:
http://pedalsteelmusic.com/instruction.html

karen
heres a link to my you tube there is lots more there you can check out good for learning scales Joe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nElaZFHrtfU

Hey girl! Go to youtube and search for Singlpilot.
Mickey Adams has a bunch of great lessons on there.

well one should add there is lots more instruction at you tube not just me and Mick. a great place to visit.

Jaclyn Jones wrote:Hey girl! Go to youtube and search for Singlpilot.
Mickey Adams has a bunch of great lessons on there.

nice! another female on the forum !!

You might want to check out Jeff Newman's Up From the Top course.I think it will help you alot.You can go to his website,then call Fran to get it.it is worth the money.

Here are some ideas:

Winnie Winston's book and the Bruce Bouton DVD are certainly must haves.

Jeff Newman's Up From The Top is great. Tons of great Jeff Newman stuff.

The Johnie Helms pedal steel book from Hal Leonard and the Anyone Can Play E9 Pedal Steel Guitar DVD from Mel Bay are pretty good too.

Of course, don't forget all the great Mickey Adams stuff on youtube...he's working on a book & it will soon be published.

Greg Cutshaw here on the forum posts a ton of tab with audio files too!!! Alot of it is complex, but you certainly will understand how some of those great licks are accomplished. It's totally free stuff & Greg is a temendous picker!!!

Casey

Did anyone ask Karen what style of music she plays?

Granted the "normal" answer is country - but there are more and more classic rock folks, country-rock players and Sacred-Steel fans getting into the instrument. All the resources are valid for country playing, but ti you want a well-rounded lesson series you need an open-minded teacher (I don't know any) and none of the usually-recommended books/DVD's will really fit the bill. I've been through that experience.

So while I'm 90% sure the recommendations were valid, it just *might* behoove experienced players to ask about a player's style before making recommendations.

OK. Karen, what style(s) of music are you interested in learning on steel?

Hi Karen,

I purchased a GFI d-10 from Bobbe two weeks ago. (I too am a long time guitar player just beginning Pedal steel.) Bobbe is the greatest. He and his staff have been most helpful. I am now addicted to this guitar as I learn my way around. Bobbe's instructional materials are a great help. Good Luck!

Hi, Karen. I'm a beginner myself and put together an E9th Chord Chart. If you are interested I'd be happy to email it to you. You can get an idea of what it's about at my forum post at:
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=147199

I'm also working with Mickey Adams on a brand new beginner's course -- it's almost done. You can check out Mickey's free youtube instruction videos at:
http://www.youtube.com/user/singlpilot?blend=1&ob=4

Mickey is also on the forum. If you are interested in his course send him a pm or email and he will add you to the initial distribution list.

All the best! Patricia

and Good luck!