The Steel Guitar Forum

I'm getting pretty discustard with this Vidio. For one thing he goes to fast and the second thing he puts in stuff he does not even tell you about. These vidios and tab don't come cheap and I just can't seem to figure out what he is doing when he throws in these exrta strings. I'm trying to learn to play this steel and he just blows my mind.I can not play his tab it sounds like I won't say it.Now I'm stuck. the only thing I can do is play my way and for get what anyone tells me because every one has a diffrent way of telling me.I need to have some one to teach me the cords and then I might be able to get some where.
Sam white

Sam - It ain't easy (or cheap) but it sure is fun sometimes(?). I know what you mean, brother. When I first started out, videos and books were nice, but I just wasn't gettin' it...

I soon realized (and I see you might have too) that I needed a real live human being to get me started in the right direction. I knew I needed someone I could talk to and watch, and ask questions. And so I did find a great teacher, and it's made a world of difference!!

Sam, don't get discouraged. I think there are many good teachers in your area, and perhaps other forumites closer to you could name them. Guys! Pitch in with some names and phone numbers! If you don’t mind a four hour drive North, Billy Cooper is an excellent and patient teacher (he’s in central Virginia – phone 540-854-5940)

And hey... Don’t knock Jeff’s vid’s too hard. Sure, nothing is like a real live teacher. Still I know Jeff’s vid’s get great reviews here.

My best to you, -Dave

<font size=-1>B0B, perhaps move this to "Steel Players" section?</font>


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Mullen (See! No "S") D-10 <font size=-1>
<a href=http://www.davidhorch.com/music>Photo page</a> </font>

Thanks Dave for the advice.I have been 5 years and I had a teacher in R.I. and a good freind of mine was teaching me in Florida for about 7 months.I can play but I have to be able to find the cord changes that is what my problem is. I spent 5 hours yesterday on the Jeff Newman A&B Vidio and he blows my mind right in the begining when he picks other strings he did'nt tell you about. That is what is messing me up on the Vidio.I can do all the stuff he is showing me but not the strings he is adding in that he did not tell you about. I new nothing about music 5 years ago and I don't know that much about it now.I have to find out when there are cord changes.
Sam White<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Samuel E. White on 16 July 2002 at 05:09 AM.]</p></FONT>

Sam,

I have some early Music City News publications, from the 60's, when Faron Young was president of the MCN newspaper. Jeff Newman was soliciting students from those early times. ( I'll sift through the issues, as I wouldn't want to find myself in error.) He is the foremost teacher of steel guitar, and many accomplished musicians stand by his approaches to progressing successfully on the road to mastery of the instrument. One method that will help in getting a "handle" on the learning process, is to select a particular melody, as for example, "Wild Side Of Life." Then, work your way through the melody, day after day, one note at a time. Don't move on to other experimentations, before you've finished your goal. Later on, try to set up your steel with a country steel guitarist, who is advanced on the instrument. You'll have a great time picking up on new ideas, and fills that can be added to what you have learned.

Bill H.

Bil Hankey thank you very much I need all the help I can get and appreciate it very much.
Gordon I want to thank you very much also for your reply. To answer your questions I'm 65 years young had a heart attack 5 years ago when I first started to learn to play Pedal Steel Guitar My Equipment is a S-10 Fessenden on double body with 3 and 4 a Pro Fex II with Newnam card set up in it a Nashville 400 and a Peavy Bandit 75 amp with a 7A super sustain match Box a L-120 low profile goodrich volume pedal. I also have a S-10 Self built Steel with some of the parts I bought from Jerry Fessenden.I'm in the prosses of building another S-10 only this will be a C-6. Any help I can get to learn to play this steel right will be very much appreciated.I'm in my steel room now and as soon as I get off the computer I'll be right back on the steel. I think I found out what strings and cords Jeff is going to on the begining of the Vidio.Once again thank you Bill and Gordon.I'm retired and it is 95 degrees out so I'll stay in a practice.I got a heat stroke back in May so I'll cool it now.
Sam White<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Samuel E. White on 16 July 2002 at 09:29 AM.]</p></FONT>

Mr White. I to am trying to learn to play pedal steel.I have got just about every thing Jeff Newman has for instruction.I think it is the best on the market.I have learned a lot from them.It was hard at first,but the more I worked with it,the easer it got.I use the instruction along with a teacher.His Up From The Top is the best I have found. Just my own openion. Gene Mullen D-10.

samuel i have a idea...4 questions
1) do you have a camera, microphone and msn net meeting
2)if not can you get it
3) are you a beginner ...if not how long have you been playing
4)what is your internet connection

if you can help me out with these questions i think i can help you


thanks
wayne

Hey Samuel,

I have the the video you're talking about. No disrespect to Mr. Newman but he is much better at explaining how than explaining why. I suggest that you cross reference the video with other material. Different teachers emphasize different aspects of this very difficult instrument to learn. Keep on keepin' on - it'll come to you.

Ian

I want to thank everyone for trying to help me and even the one's that have been E-Mailing me.The Information is a lot of help.Wayne Brown I do not have MSN I do have a camera and Mikecrophone.I'm a learner and I have been trying to play for five years now and I should be a lot further than I'am. My internet is risteelguitar@aol.com
Thank you for your concern.
Sam White
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Samuel E. White on 17 July 2002 at 07:54 AM.]</p></FONT>

Gordon,

Actually, I "borrowed" it from Dylan's "Tangled up in Blue" - and it's sage advice regardless of who says it. But back to the topic at hand:

Samuel, five hours? Dude, give yourself a break. Take it slow and steady (my apologies to Aesop)

Ian

To Mr. Gordy, Sorry, I have to take up for Mr. Newman. I went to a one day seminar back in '82, then a weeklong class in '83. I've purchased lots of his material, attended his seminar at Dalls, 2001. He ALWAYS was cordial, and helpful whether I purchased something or not. Gave me advice that I wished I had followed, etc
Everyone (including both parties) is entitled to a "bad hair day"

Ray Beale

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"STRINGBUSTER" again
MSA S-12
Ray Beale Rosenberg,Tx

With all the attacks on Newman he must have a new steel Guitar coming out soon

Sam I don't know the tape you are talking about but, could it be it's not for a new player. I know he has some for the new player. You really nedd to find a good teacher,but if you can't the tapes are the next best thing.

Gordon if Sam can't learn from a video I don't think a phone call from you would help. Maybe one from Newman would.

OK GUYS!!
i think thats just about enough of the running jeff down. if it were not for this master of steel guitar half of you guys would be playing the kazoo. this man has done more for the steel guitar world than most and dosent deserve to be run down. as for the comment "he's a carnie" and a brainwasher. come on please!! he is a buisness man and if you think differnt your wrong plain and simple. he is doing nothing more than the rest of us trying to make a living and guys are doing it on here as we speak. by selling there CD's and pacAseats and bars and picks. ect.. he just found a product to sell! his knowlege! and some of you guys cant see past the jelousy or something!! jeff is a good honest buisness man lay off!! SAM I will help you in anyway possible that i can help and i know some of the other players in MASGA will do the same. all you have to do is ask my friend. if your having a problem with jeffs courses call him up and explain what problem you are having he will help you just like the rest of us! dont get people riled up over something so petty! jeff has worked many yrs to make things easy for us so we dont have to learn like he and many others had to learn . i guess im though now .
see ya in mtn city
and bring that guitar.
BOO

Al, thanks for posting everything I wanted to say about Jeff Newman and could not find as fine a way to say it! I have learned so much from Jeff's old column's in GuitarPlayer mag, his courses and in person when he brought the 1 week school to the west coast back in the late 70's that as recently as last night I found myself playing something new and then saying to myself "OH...Thats what Jeff ment".
JE:-)>

Gordon... you spell like another Bobbe I know hmmmmm? Gordon I read this crape because you wrote this crape. Why do you not like the carnvail. Did your best friend run off with a clown.

Sam... I looked at Newman's web site he tells you up front the A&B video is not kids stuff. Get what you can out of the video. In six weeks come back to it and see what else you can pick up. Then six weeks latter come back to it again,ect, ect, ect. This is how you learn. Just keep it up, it's fun so have fun with it. If all else fells call Newman he can clear up the problem for you.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by bob drawbaugh on 17 July 2002 at 03:59 PM.]</p></FONT><FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by bob drawbaugh on 17 July 2002 at 04:01 PM.]</p></FONT>

<SMALL>If you will check back i said that Jeff Newman is an "ASTUTE BUISNESS MAN" . I do not know of a better compliment to extend to a person in buisness. Maybe you lost your dictionary??</SMALL>

I guess that would be 'an astute businessman in the carnival game according toyour previous description, or have I missed your 'compliment'?

Sheesh....

Jeff Newman is the best thing to happen to those who want to learn the steel guitar. His teachings and his video's are an invaluable asset to one who is eager to learn. I have the A,B video and tab book. It has always been easy to understand and I've never had any problem following Jeff in the video. His tab is the best available. It is large and is simple to follow. Sam, are you trying to read it as if it were music notes? Try working on just each chord separately and after awhile, put them all together. These video's are not meant to learn in one or two days. I've had mine for over 4 years and I still review it and manage to gleen something new out of it. Again there is no better teacher than Jeff Newman whether it be by video or one on one. I have made two trips to the "Hill" and do not regret either trip.He is the reason I can play what I can. I forgot to say that Jeff Newman is also my friend and he is far from being a snob.