The Steel Guitar Forum

How many hours a week should I spend practicing? I do not plan on becoming a professional musician, but I would like to be able to play really well.
My second question is, what is the best way to practice? What do you play when you are practicing?
What is the best way to learn a new song? Tabs or listening to the music and just trying to figure out how to play it?
I have a lot of questions and need your help for some answers!!

quite the question...

First, you should touch or play your Instrument everyday even if only for 15 or 20 min. A short session of 20 minutes which has discipline will be better than a wandering session of an hour or more.

Break your sessions apart, meaning a few minutes of technique ( scales, chords, inversions, studying redundant positions on the neck) , a few minutes of dedicated practice of things you want to grow at ( licks or specific elements of songs) and then of course spend time fooling around as well, playing along to tracks etc. This is the fun stuff.

In order to grow the study has to be appropriate. Repetition of the exact same elements every day. It could be tab, a book, listening and working it out etc... If we are just sitting down and noodling for an hour or so, which is fun, that is going to slow down your process. IF you are playing the same song several times over and over, everyday, that's not noodling..that's part of the process.

If playing phrases or songs everyday is the process, make the most if it, look at the fretboard and understand the chord changes relative to the fretboard, if tab has you using a lever or a pedal, don't just do the mechanics, look at the details of what the tab is stating. STOP and look, understand what it is showing you or you will be just driving around in the dark.

More times than not it is harder to know what to practice . Repetition is the key, repeating elements of study everyday. It doesn't have to be hours on end, just everyday or each time you sit at the instrument. Discipline.

Get yourself into a daily routine, even if only for a few minutes everyday. If it can't be everyday, at least repeat the exact same elements each time you sit at the Instrument. You will be amazed at how 5 min of regular discipline shows results at the end of a month...

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Hi Richard, Practice as many hours a day if you can, I'm on at very least 2 hours a day and I've been on pedals since 1970. Try not to concentrate on instrumentals, they can come later. Get to know where all your chords are and learn intros, turn rounds, endings etc. Learn good vibrato and right hand work. Don't rush things like fast picking, it won't happen that way. By constant "daily" practising, what you think will never happen on a particular run on notes etc "will" happen a few weeks down the road. Listen to as much steel as you can, learn how that particular player "thinks" ... but at the end of the day, play "you" ... good luck on the greatest instrument in the world. There is no instrument IMHO that can put feeling into a slow song like a pedal steel.

Micky Byrne U.K.

Sho-Bud and Carter universals, Nashville 400 and Evans fet 500 amps.

www.micky-byrne.co.uk

no amount of time is "enough," I'd say
you can play this thing for a LONG time and still feel very "not there yet"
you do get better, and occasionally surprise yourself by playing an entire section without flaws (usually when you're not thinking too hard), but then you listen to the masters and think, "darn, they're smooth"
maybe some others have found ways to speed up the learning curve, but for me, it's a case of "enjoy your playing time, 'cause your'e going to need lots of it!"
as for what to play, the Joe Wright technique materials are a hardcore learning regime, if you've got the dedication
for me, the key is to slow down and really pick apart the passages phrase by phrase, paying attention to the details, then try to put it all together into a smooth and rhythmic whole ...that's more than enough of a challenge...
ENJOY playing, and the time will take care of itself.
hope this helps.

I have been playing with guitars for a long time and could most probably tell you how to not do it, because I have been an expert at that. I am in my 60's now and have decided to play this instrument that I have always loved. When I got my guitar I was lucky enough to have someone tell me about Jeff Newman's instructional materials. I started with Right Hand Alpha(that is where your tone starts), then Pedal Steel Techniques, then I got Up From the Top starting with the AB pedals(that is a great way to start the journey). The last two lessons in that series deals with F and D levers-I haven't gotten to them yet. I play at least an hour a day and I can tell you that the real fun is in the journey. Enjoy the music and the guitar will take care of itself. I wish that I had started sooner but I thought it would be too difficult to learn. You can learn to play if you put the time in and have good instruction. The real fun is in the music, so get good instruction, play with others as much as you can, get practice tracks(then use them), play everyday and don't get discouraged when things don't seem to be going well-this is a lifelong journey. Best of luck to you!

When you're learning an instrument, you should practice at least 30 minutes a day. It should be a regular routine, split between exercises and songs. It's really important to practice every day because it's so easy to forget things that you haven't done very often.

Now that I play pretty well, by time behind the steel isn't as systematic. It averages out to more than 7 hours a week, though. That seems to be enough for continual improvement.

There is a great interview with Pat Martino on youtube where he talks about practice ...give it a listen..

As a new student to any instrument.. if you have to force yourself to practice you might as well give up now.

How many hours do you practice?

Until your wife and kids either leave, or leave you alone. Then you can get serious....


I have read a bunch of books & interviews, and I'm always struck by how the very best of the best don't treat it as practicing, at all. It is who they are... stories about John Coltrane practicing backstage during other people's solos and leaving the bars immediately after gigs, to go practice all night. Or Duane Allman, scrambling eggs in the morning - with a Les Paul hanging from his neck... or John McLaughlin in the 1990's, after he'd invented two genres of music, complaining about how on tour he could "only" practice six or seven hours. Kinda reminds you of what it takes - and what you give up.

Like brushing teeth, its not how long but how often that is most important.
I practice every day after eating, whether its just 5 minutes or 2 hours (after brushing first).

Clete

I've read interviews by Chet,Segovia,and Charro[yes she is an accomplised flamenco guitarist]. Each said they got in at least eight hours of practice a day. YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

Usually before steel guitar shows I practice both songs at least three or four times, and then I like to put those songs aside for a little while and play along with songs on the radio or another cd. I practice until my left hand gets tired, then I go back and play again the next day.

Brett

When I started learning PSG, it was probably about one hour a day for a few years. I started with going along the Winston/ Keith book which IMHO is a little too complicated for a beginner, so in the middle I quit and went through a book by Scotty. Always switching my casette player of and on to play along. (It was good sports because my remote didn't work. LOL)
And because I played in a band, I played along to records, to figure out the phrases, which I think counts as practice too. Today only if the mood, or better, the muse is there.
Good Luck!

When I first started to play steel, I used to sit for hours, just picking away at getting it to sound "right". I was playing steel in a band about three months later. I used that time to hone my skills and sort of practise on the job. As the years progressed and I played 4-5 nights a week, I hardly ever "practised" the steel. I didn't have to! I was experimenting on the job and it all worked out for the best. Now, that, I don't play out that much, I usually hit it about twice a week, for about 1-2 hours a night. I'm not going over scales or technique, I'm learning new songs (to me) and figuring out licks and phrases to amuse myself.Practise can be overdone and burn out can set in on the sly. But, in the beginning, I was a steel guitar vacuum trying to suck up all the knowledge I could.

The way I practice is,first I have a goal.It may be a phrase or passage I want to lean.I try to figure it out first.If I don't have it after 20 mins.I take a break.Then figure some more.May be the next day before I try it again.I don't do long drawn out session because I loose track of what I want to do.Or get board with it.

Richard Keller wrote:How many hours a week should I spend practicing? I do not plan on becoming a professional musician, but I would like to be able to play really well.

A little different view--------------------

First and formost-----Practise does NOT make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect. How much time? You will know what works for you, and as others have said, about 30 minutes a day minimum. I try for 2 hours aday. Infact, I practiced 2 hours a day 7 days aweek for 5 years straight. I push my self--almost to "burn-out". It has paid off. I'm not a super player--never will be, But my goals were to be able to hold my own in any classic country band. I've achieved that. Now I raise the bar for myself------------

Pay utmost attention to your technique, making certain you are not practicing poor technique---don't accept mediocre. For great technique, Joe Wright DVD's highly recommended here. Bruce Bouton, Jeff Newman, too. And others are great.

For instance if you learn and accept poor technique, in the end, you will put a low ceiling on the heights you COULD have achieved 5 years down the road. So if you get good on the instrument, you will always wonder if you COULD have been much better, or even great. Don't accept mediocre.

It does you little good to JUST learn music if you can't PHYSICALLY operate the machine. Strike a balance here--got to have a little fun, too.

You need to learn the physical moves until they become muscle memory. Yes you need to play many scales and drills to do this. Integrate a little music to keep it interesting. Music will come--after you master proper technique.

If you jump ahead to the "sweet" and fun parts, and you see your technique fall apart, you will know you do not have techniqued nailed--it tells on you. Go back and get it. Don't accept mediocre. JMHH

lotsa good advice here so far
i'll add my 3 cents
i usually practice at least 2 hours a day in 2 or 3 stints
if i have time to do more, i do
i warm up w: scales in cycle of 4ths up & down : major, minor, the 7 degrees back up to the octave as well as chord grips too
then i run some tracks that i play too to keep me on target
i have this looper that i use for riffs & ideas that i need/want to play/work on
once i 've messed around w: all of that, i'll sit down to a tune i want to learn & get it under way
otherwise, i love to rehearse w: other musicians & don't see the time fly
my stomach tells me it's time to replenish
i'll have to agree w: James M on paying the utmost attention to technique
proper position behind the steel, right hand comfort & efficiency, arm close to the body, proper bar control, bein' in tune, not bein' sloppy or lazy - just proper attention & control
have mercy ! , that's a lot a stuff but heck it's like drivin a car or flyin' a plane
it does pay off if one seriously applies himself
nope, i won't be a great picker, but yep ! i really enjoy doin' it

A very helpful piece of advice about practicing comes from Bud Herseth, who was, until recently, principle trumpet with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for over 50 years. He strongly urged players of any instrument to practice as though they were performing in front of a full house on Saturday night. Play with the same voice, attack, and emotion. Don't noodle or lay back. That advice has lifted me to another plateau.

Let me add this also.I practice with a 6 piece band at least 8 hrs a week ,after Ive done mine.Then perform 3 nites a week also.So I really play alot.If that helps any.

It is really the reason you have for playing .If your in a band or working on a solo for a steel show you will spend more time behind the wheel . If the steel is new to you you will spend hours every day. Doug Jernigan told me once he practiced 8 hours a day for years until he mastered it.
If you have played for years you will still need something to keep your chops up. Every day for a hour it not two. It is what's in your mind. How bad do you want it !
Get in a band. No matter how good or bad. Play what you know and I promise you will work for the next lick !

When I started playing pedal steel, I wanted to do it professionally, so I tried to practice 8 hours a day, sometimes letting it go at six on account of fatigue. Nashville players doing two to three sessions a day were putting in six to nine hrs. in the studio.
Once I got doing live club gigs full-time, I was on the bandstand 20, 30, even 40 hours a week. While I was working a busy schedule in Austin in the 80's, I was studying with Tom Brumley. He asked me one day "Al, how much time to you spend practicing at home?" I said I was real busy, and he said, "Al, I work more than you do, but I find time to practice. I always warm up before a session."
My best time to practice is first thing in the morning, when I'm rested and my mind is clear.
The more time you spend at your steel the more comfortable you will be with it.

David Mason wrote:

How many hours do you practice?

I have read a bunch of books & interviews, and I'm always struck by how the very best of the best don't treat it as practicing, at all. It is who they are... stories about John Coltrane practicing backstage during other people's solos and leaving the bars immediately after gigs, to go practice all night. Or Duane Allman, scrambling eggs in the morning - with a Les Paul hanging from his neck... or John McLaughlin in the 1990's, after he'd invented two genres of music, complaining about how on tour he could "only" practice six or seven hours. Kinda reminds you of what it takes - and what you give up.

I think that guys like that are always thinking about music.... It's just more comfortable for them to be playing their instrument.

For the most part, I don't practice as much as a I should, but I'm currently under the gun to learn a lot of lines for a new band I'm in. When I'm not playing, my parts for "too darn
hot" & " sing, sing, sing" are playing on repeat in my head.

The thing that frustrates me about threads like this is the focus on time regrading practice...James Moorehead's post just about nails it. But I would rather see new players focus more on the basics of music along with technique. Remember it all start with twelve notes. I think starting right out with learning a song specificly is the slower process. Learning how the basics of music applies to steel guitar is actually more successful in the long run regarding your growth as a player. Why practice one thing when you can learn the whole process, including training your ears and eyes to the instrument, and have more positive growth. I agree with James and Bob practicing the instrument is more positive than learning a "song"
I try to hit an instrument at least once a day for 30 minutes plus gigs. I don't play the same steel everyday. SOmetimes it's a D-10, other days a NP, other days it's a guitar or a piano. The point is I practice MUSIC everyday and I listen to music...(Did you hear what I said?) BOTTOM LINE IS WHAT EVER WORKS FOR YOU IS BEST!!!
No I'm not a profesional steel guitarist but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn last night.
Done...Thanks

Listen harder.....Play softer.

The corolary to this is:

Listen more.....play less.

All the big-shots that practice[d] for 8 or more hours a day. Hey! Bravo!
Who today can honestly say they can practice even 2 hours a day? Unless, of course, your abyssimally wealthy, or retired with a good pension. Or some other factor that keeps you from having to do anything else in life; but practice.

I know I ain't got the time.

But I did practice many hours a day when I was a lot younger[and didn't have to work so much]. I found you can get in a rut real quick when practicing, if you don't walk away for a bit. The "too close to the forest for the trees" syndrome.

I monkeyed with a turntable and a set of head phones back then, and in one ear was the record [vinyl] and the other was the steel. Listened and played along with many greats back then. I particularly remember
Bill Keith playing on Jonathan Edward albums.

I didn't even have Winnie's/Bill's book back then. I had a basic Mel Bay Pedal Steel for E9th. But what it said was spot-on.

As other's have said, you should divide a practice session up [if time is an issue]. Put time in on technique [any good technique]; put time in with MUSIC itself and understanding why chord progressions are the way they are; practice scales; practice positons - as Jeff Neuman used to say - learn to play a phrase [or whatever] in three different positons up the neck - and then try to tie them together smoothly.
And finally, of course, forget everything (just for awhile), close your eyes, and just play and listen to
yourself.

Most of all, is be patient. This instrument [I'm sure others too] can try your nerves. You may be going along working on something, and maybe you're thinking you ain't gettin' anywhere. And this is to be expected.
But, ONE DAY, out of nowhere [and this is the beauty part], it will woomp you upside the haid, and you'll be going O-mgosh O-mgosh.

You'll initially be happy. But after the glow wans, you will scratch your haid, and say to yourself, why didn't I see this before?

...and I'll tell you now there is no answer; except, maybe, for the fact that you practiced and worked hard towards that end.

I think it's mystical, and hate to say it, but it's the way of the Master.