The Steel Guitar Forum

I wish to let everyone know that I did'nt say I did'nt like Jeff Newman. I just did not understand what he was doing but a good freind Ray Walker straitened me out on what I was doing wrong not Jeff.Like Ray said I know another one of your problems Sam you are a thick headed Yankee and he is right ask my wife.Poor woman almost has a heart attack when we go on trips i want to run half these people over that get in the way. Like he said he is also trying to teach you to keep in time with the music and if I could not keep up it was time to turn the tape back.I did not mean to open up a can of worms that means you Gordon don't use me to try to get even with someone you may have given a hard time like we all just witnessed on the forum.If you don't like what other people say sit back and keep your mouth shut or get off the forum we don't need people like you. You come on here and tryed to make me look bad to all these gentlemen on the forum. I have had a lot of them E-Mail me from Mass. to California and offered to help me and I don't need you or your help.As far as you talking that way to Al Miller(B00) you only wish you could play 1/4 of what that young guy can play and you would be something.He even offered to help me and I know he would. I even have a gentleman in Fichburg Mass. that even offered me and my wife to stay with he and his wife so he could show me what he knows. So you see there are good people out there.If Jeff Newman is on this forum Jeff I'm sorry and did not mean any harm to you or your feelings.I met you at the Norwalk Conn. show a while back. I even went up to Jeff and said you look and remind me of Ross Paroll and he laugh and said yes I wish I had his money.Now you know what I don't like about Him . He is a excellent Steel player and I can.t even play this Steel yet after 5 long hard years 3 to 4 hours every day with out missing a day.Now you tell me that is not determination and desperation to play a steel guitar.
Sam White<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Samuel E. White on 20 July 2002 at 11:18 AM.]</p></FONT>

Sam, you DEFINE class! Way to go!!

It's too bad that one sour apple put a bad taste on this whole episode.

If we just ignore that issue, your thread was an excellent example of how valuable a place this is.

The bottom line is:
<UL>
[*]You had a problem understanding something.
[*]You asked for help.
[*]Many offered to help.
[*]You now understand that something.
[/list]

What a great place!

I've taken lessons from several pros.
I have MANY videos and books. None are perfect for me. Even if they were, they wouldn't be perfect for everyone. I learn by a combination of all.

I've been to several of Jeff's seminars. I don't agree with everything he says.
(He can't understand why, since he feels he's always right. )

But I do respect him, his talent, and his teaching experience. I learn something every time. I'm looking forward to attending his next one in St. Louis.

Good luck Sam, it sounds like you made some new friends!

My expierience with Jeff, both in person and in his courses, is that he always reinforces that "this is just a starting point... break away and do your own thing as soon as you can...".

Yes Samuel, Jeff sounds uncannily like Ross Perot (when he speaks).

NEWMAN IS JUST THE BEST THERE IS AT WHAT HE DOES............

NUFF SAID

JEFF

Sam....I am proud of you for this post. I know you and although sometimes I think you're a bit thick headed I also know that we all are. I also know for a fact that it is true when you say how hard you practice and for so many years and I know how frustrated you are. I can see it in your eyes when you sit behind that guitar. I have played music for 40 some years and last December I decided to be a steel player. I mean how hard can it be....right??? (HA!)I have changed picks...sold my steel and bought another...God knows how many amps and gadgets to make it sound the way I think it should sound...and then finally I tried something so far out of all of these catagories that it has started to work. I started to listen to anyone and everyone who plays steel. I have watched many a video as well. There you can learn what sounds good to your ears and what doesn't. When you like something you simply ask..."man what did you just do?". I find it unbelievable that not one time have I asked that question has the person ever refused to show me. This forum is where I have met every steel player that I know to this day. If I had not come in here I doubt that I would ever have met more than one or two. Heck man I got people lined up all over the east coast who have invited me into their homes to show me a few things. I'd be a fool not to accept that. The best "live and in person" teacher I have ever had the priveledge to know and "use" is Skip Mertz. I am honored to call him a dear friend. I mean the man has only had to hit me twice so far.(hehe)This Forum is comprised of human beings.. That is the good the bad and the ugly. Would we want it any other way??? Heck...Bobbie is one helluva guy for making this all happen, and I am happy to have the priveledge of being part of it. One last thing... You know I have many days when I gotta back away and let my frustrations out because I am not playing the way I want to...And when all seems lost I know I can pick up the phone and call one of those who have made me the offer and they will be there. God bless each of you and you all know who you are. Thanks Sam.. for your kind words about me and I wish I had more to offer. But those Newman tapes will get you to understand when to cord and when to fill but more importantly they will help you to recognize "how" to hear the cords change and "how" to transpose one cord progression to another. It may not be tomorrow but it "will" happen. No matter how bored you become just keep doing it over and over again and something will happen just like Bob said in one of his posts. If you keep on doing it over and over the signal to your brain will become automatic and you won't have to think about it and then you can build something great from there. You will start adding licks that will now start to make perfect sense to you and you will enjoy those times when you feel like you "hit that lick" just like Hughey or Green of The Big E. Then you will want to run out and show it to another steel man and he'll add something to it for ya and then you'll see you still gotta lot to learn. You know Deb and I think a lot of you and Ann and I feel terrible when you get so frustrated. These are the good times for you guys and I want to see you happy. So for now.. let's drop the subject.. You have done the honorable thing and made an apology (many couldn't muster that much courage). Now let's get on with the steelin' cause you know what???...STEELIN IS STILL LEGAL ON THE FORUM??
Regards...

Ray Walker

PS. Learning the steel is not an easy instrument to learn...no matter what some may say. It only becomes easy in time...Have a good time

Sam,

You mentioned in one of your posts that you have no musical experience prior to taking up the pedal steel. You also describe your diligent practice regimen and we can all tell you are sincere and dedicated.

Here's a suggestion. Sign up for Music Theory 101 at the local community college. If you step away from the instrument and learn about the building blocks of music you'll greatly expand your understanding of what you're doing when you sit down to play.

Way to go Sam. Don't be afraid to ask for help here. MOST people on the forum will give you the help you need. I think you are headed in the right direction.

------------------
Carter D10 9p/10k
Richard Sinkler

I have to agree with Michael. You must have at least some basic knowledge of music theory (especially and most importantly INTERVAL THEORY!) in order to make things make sense on steel. You have to be hearing the chord changes to know where to go on the fret board.
I was playing music for 24 years before I started steel. The technique of playing steel alone takes years just to feel comfortable. Then theres intonation and tuning. Anyone who teaches just licks is not fully helping you. You need to understand timing and music theory. The steel makes fools out of blaze Telecaster players. It is a pretty difficult instrument. It does takes many hours of practice to become proficient. I think that we are all too ready to help each other because we all know the difficulty
involved. All in all it is a very respectful community.
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 21 July 2002 at 12:37 PM.]</p></FONT>

Sam, if you ever come to Charlotte, you call me and we will share licks
TP

Tony, does that offer hold for guys from South Carolina, too? You still coming to Saluda?

Stephen, yes it holds true even for folks from SC !! Come on up and we can hang out. Joe Smith and I have actually considered doing a Mid Atlantic club meeting here in Charlotte, maybe it's time for that to happen.

tp

Hey Tony thank you for the offer and I think you should have one of the Mid Atlantic Steel Shows in Charlotte and maybe my Racing heroes can come if they are not racing that week end . Yep thats right Jeffery,Brett And Todd Bodine.Also Jimmy Spencer. Mick Mc Lauglin Ricky Cravern and all those boys except Cry baby Jeff Gordon and slam banger Dale JR.My Favorite now is good clean driver Mark Martin
Sam White

Samuel, we are considering sponsoring a Steel show here in Charlotte. The conversation has begun. more later
tp