Leading church service with pedal steel

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 6 Feb 2012 12:51 pm

I got a call from my good friend Bill Heser in Illinois this morning.
He said that the piano/organ player in their (German Lutheran) church didn't show up last sunday for services so he led the congregational singing on his pedal steel doing gospel songs.
Psalms 33:2 "Give Praises to the Lord on an instrument of 10 strings".

Bill Ford · Post by **Bill Ford** » 6 Feb 2012 4:09 pm

Psalms 33:2 "Give Praises to the Lord on an instrument of 10 strings".

Or any way that the Spirit leads you!!!When we're doing this>>(':D') satan's doing this>>>(':x')

Jerry Eilander · Post by **Jerry Eilander** » 6 Feb 2012 9:42 pm

nothing wrong with that, I do it often.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 7 Feb 2012 7:22 am

In our "little wooden church on the hill" a few Sundays ago, we couldn't seem to locate a piano player.
I took my acoustic lap steel and my daughter took her autoharp and we furnished the music for the Sunday service. It really was a nice change of pace and we got quite a few compliments.

Landon Roberson · Post by **Landon Roberson** » 7 Feb 2012 10:41 am

Jerry do you just play chords?

Jerry Eilander · Post by **Jerry Eilander** » 7 Feb 2012 9:57 pm

Hi Landon,
I do what ever,only use the steel for them kind of songs that lend them self well to the steel.
during offering, I sometimes do one of Erv,s songs,
that be solo , with r-guitar backing. and bass .
when every one is singing I do cords,
trick is not to overdo it on the steel , as it is not everyone's cup of tea . $:\$
but I also play the piano \ keyboard .
its all good fun ,:D but I do get a lot of comments from visitors when playing the steel,

God Bless

Robbie Primm · Post by **Robbie Primm** » 12 Feb 2012 5:00 am

I Play every Sunday at a Cowboy Church in Lake End ,La.Seems to go over just fine.....just have to improv sometimes .....a chalange to serve GOD!!!!

Glenn Suchan · Post by **Glenn Suchan** » 12 Feb 2012 3:46 pm

Erv, what a blessing to you and the church you'd performed for.

For the last three months, I've been praising our Lord on an instrument of 10 strings in the United Methodist church of which I'm a member. Some church members found out I played pedal steel guitar and mentioned it to the praise band leader. He cautiously approached me about playing the following Sunday (he didn't know if that 'twangy thing' would be appropriate for the band). After that first Sunday, the praise band as well as the congregation really enjoyed the addition of my meager abilities. I've been playing with them ever since. Most of all, I feel humbled to have my talent accepted by the congregation and blessed to be able to praise my Lord with the gift He gave me.

Erv, may you have the opportunity to continue playing for your church as long as you desire.

Peace be with you,
Glenn

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 13 Feb 2012 7:29 am

Glenn,
Thanks!
I maintain that the best way to learn the pedal steel is with gospel music. The Holy Spirit will stand just over your shoulder giving you encouragement.

Mike Daly · Post by **Mike Daly** » 13 Feb 2012 3:00 pm

WWRRD....What would Robert Randolph Do...Take the steel to church..

Jeff Spencer · Post by **Jeff Spencer** » 17 Feb 2012 3:14 am

This is great!! I am the worship team leader/organiser and I play bass and guitar. I am just trying to find the right moment to introduce the steel as I feel I need to get it right or it will be discounted as a novelty. The parishners would be very kind I know but - well you know what I mean! Our main guitarist also plays a nice Emmons PP as a home player so there would be an extra pressure there. I suppose its a confidence thing! thanks all for the info. I think I need to get some of Erves songs and do a solo over communion as a way of introducing steel to the congregation???

Robert Cates · Post by **Robert Cates** » 17 Feb 2012 5:29 am

Hey Jeff
I have got to tell you about Erv's tabs if you haven't already got some of them....Get them!!!!!!!!
He puts the words first and below that he puts the written music( Chinese to me) and then below that he puts the tab for steel.. Great way to do it Erv.
I would like to see a book from you Erv with your great tabs. If everyone on the forum bought a book from you ,you would have enough money to buy milk and bread for a week, plus a little left over to give away.

Thank you for your tabs Erv and thank you for giving praise to our maker.

Bob

Dan Tyack · Post by **Dan Tyack** » 17 Feb 2012 5:30 am

They have been doing it for decades in the House of God churches. Here's a taste: A Prayer Meeting at Mary's House

Bill Ford · Post by **Bill Ford** » 17 Feb 2012 5:41 am

What Robert said......
Bro Erv, you the Man, thanks for all the help you give to everyone.

BF

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 17 Feb 2012 7:25 am

Thanks, guys, for your words on encouragement!
The Holy Spirit laid this gospel tab ministry on me in 2003 and so far I've tabbed out over 900 gospel tabs. I really need to do a new count because it must be getting up around 1,000 by now.
I offer a free gospel tab every month and the rest are available for $1 each plus postage. No big money deal but it helps cover the cost of the free ones.
I like to do whatever I can to encourage the playing of our Lord's music on the pedal steel.
"Give Praises To The Lord On An Instrument of 10 Strings" (Psalms 33:2)

Quentin Hickey · Post by **Quentin Hickey** » 17 Feb 2012 10:28 am

I wish my church had pedal steel.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 17 Feb 2012 10:39 am

Quentin,
Here's your opportunity!

Joan Cox · Post by **Joan Cox** » 17 Feb 2012 11:10 am

I have been playing at church for years. Since moving to Texas almost 8 years ago, I was confirmed in the Catholic Church in 2008. I play at Sunday morning mass every week. I never lead the music because I can't read music and don't feel confident enough to do it. It's really different since there are so many different times during the mass when really short lines are played and I'm constantly making sure I don't do something to draw attention away from what's happening at the altar. I have found that you must exhibit lots of attention to all aspects of your playing...volume, the force in which you play, your touch during different points in the mass, etc. It sure is rewarding to me to do this, and I know steel guitar is not a normal instrument seen in a Catholic Church, but it's nice to be accepted. Lots of people come up after and tell me that the steel is really nice to hear and they like it. Makes me feel good that I can offer thar to our Lord each week.

Ron Victoria · Post by **Ron Victoria** » 18 Feb 2012 7:28 am

I joined the folk mass over a year ago and use my reso. I have my own mic, so I need to be careful with new songs, LOL. I love when they do Amazing Grace. The catholic church just had some music changes and now with lent, a few more. I usually play one or two note harmony, not chords.

ron

Gary Patterson · Post by **Gary Patterson** » 18 Feb 2012 7:46 am

My first public performance on PSG: We played "Teach Your Children" for our fall kickoff for Sunday School. Folks loved it.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 18 Feb 2012 8:30 am

A few years ago our "little wooden church on the hill" had a pastor who was a very good guitar player.
We had a little celebration at the church and they set up a tent for him and I to sit under and play.

Quentin Hickey · Post by **Quentin Hickey** » 18 Mar 2012 7:08 am

Erv, I played at my church for the first time this morning. I played in the garden in the key of A flat. Wasnt too thrilled about A flat but I need the pratcice anyways.

I think the next time that I will do long black train. Thanks for mailing that one to me back a year ago.

Quentin

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 18 Mar 2012 10:40 am

i've got to say this is a good inspirational thread!

music is prayer.

Bill Ford · Post by **Bill Ford** » 18 Mar 2012 11:04 am

Way to go Quentin...How did the folks like it??? Bill

Quentin Hickey · Post by **Quentin Hickey** » 18 Mar 2012 11:37 am

Hi Bill. Everyone was blown away with the steel. Alot of them have never seen or heard the pedal steel before so they told me it was a real treat. Some knew what it was and others didnt. I explained to them that its a very popular insturnment in churches down south, very suited towards gospel music. This church has a protocal that they dont like to break so unfortunately they will only use me on special occasions, today being the fourth day of lent was one of them. I'll tell you one thing, I felt like a kid in 4th grade at show and tell. Once the service was over and I was packing up half of the congregation surrounded me and wanted to know how it works and a demonstration.
It was a hit Bill.

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Leading church service with pedal steel

Leading church service with pedal steel

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Erv's tab is best