A Few Tips For Beginners On Pedal Steel

Joseph Barcus · Post by **Joseph Barcus** » 29 Apr 2009 5:24 pm

touch on a few basics like bar placement, right hand, feet on pedals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmQehHqzEME

Robert Tripp · Post by **Robert Tripp** » 1 May 2009 9:57 am

Thanks for posting the beginner stuff Joe. I've just started on a lap steel, and still working on string selection and bar placement, as well as intonation and blocking. Sheesh, a lot to learn for an old man lol.

I like your style of instruction.

Joseph Barcus · Post by **Joseph Barcus** » 1 May 2009 9:59 am

robert
you are welcome, lots of small stuff involved but also lots of fun comes with it as well.

Gwyneth Morgan · Post by **Gwyneth Morgan** » 11 May 2009 5:26 am

The tutorial on blocking was really helpful, especially the bit about locating the palm crease. I've been trying to work out palm blocking vs. pick blocking, and this cleared up a lot for me.

Many thanks

Gwyneth Morgan · Post by **Gwyneth Morgan** » 11 May 2009 5:16 pm

I have a followup question about blocking.

If i align my palm's lifeline with the string I mean to pluck, I either have to curl my fingers nearly closed to reach that string, or stretch them way out to the left, so that my palm can actually turn over far enough to to the blocking.

What I wind up doing is keeping my non-picking fingers - especially my pinky - laid out so that the entire edge of my hand works at blocking.

Is this something I'm just not getting, or is it an issue with longer fingers?

[Edit: I copied this question to the main Pedal Steel area]