Recommendation for Instruction Material?

Jerry Touval · Post by **Jerry Touval** » 3 May 2003 9:20 am

I’m yet another beginner on the pedal steel, although I’ve been playing guitar for 36 years and keyboards longer than that. I’m starting out on an MSA S-10 and going through various instruction books. I’ve gone though the Jeff Newman Pedal Steel Guitar Technique course and parts of the Winnie Winston book, but am looking for something that will give me a vocabulary of intros, fills, and accompanying chords. Would prefer something that comes with a CD< but a cassette tape would do. Any recommendations? Mel Bay stuff? Thanks in advance for any responses.

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 3 May 2003 6:52 pm

I would heartily, since you live in Virginia, reccommend trying to get some time with Bud Charleton.

If you are starting, and have played by yourself, but not too long, and have good musical skills and ear, it is IMPERITIVE that you learn proper picking, blocking and bar tecnique BEFORE you start the whole path with nothing but the worst of habits.

The last email I had for him is kayleec@erols.com. Possibly he might have a refferal if not taking new students. Havent emailed him or Kay for years, or talked to them in over 20.

If I was in VA I'd sure stop in for a refresher course, or maybe just a severe scolding..

It's possible that there ARE some videos that can halt you on the way to developing bad habits that will severly limit your playing. They would have to pay the utmost attention to proper blocking, and cross-over picking (alternation of the thumb an middle finger, blocked CLEANLY in between, ascending and descending).

The sooner the better. There are plenty of other things to limit you without asking for a sh load of them.

EJL

Jeff A. Smith · Post by **Jeff A. Smith** » 3 May 2003 9:32 pm

I find a lot of useful stuff in Herby Wallace's E9 course. It provides some intros, fills, songs, and a very comprehensive listing of chords. There are also some pentatonic and modal scales. Herby includes a lot of other advice on specific technique and general themes.

The course includes a cassette, and is in tablature rather than standard notation.

Larry Clark · Post by **Larry Clark** » 4 May 2003 3:14 am

Take a drive down to Billy Coopers Music in Orange Va. They've got a good selection of instructional material. They are listed on the Links page.

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 4 May 2003 4:21 am

I'll put in my vote for Buddy Charleton.

540 972 2388

Bob

Jerry Touval · Post by **Jerry Touval** » 4 May 2003 11:50 am

Thanks for the replies. I bought my pedal steel at Billy Cooper’s and did have a look through the material he has there, and was hoping to go back there with something in mind that had been recommended via this forum. Funny about the other recommendations – I was at the Annual Steel Guitar Jam at the Birchmere last week and met Herby Wallace and heard Bud Charlton play. Just figured that someone of his caliber would be reluctant to take on a rank beginner like myself, but maybe it is worth pursuing after all.

Jerry

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 4 May 2003 11:58 am

It has been said (by cynics) that those that can do, do.
and that those that can't, teach... but

There are those that can do very well and also teach.
Those are the ones that teach the best most often.
So find some teacher who you really like as a player and aproach them. The worst they can say is I have no time now. Most steelers are very happy to add new blood to the clan.

Or they could say take a lesson, then go practice "this" and see me in 3 months.
At least you will have some good habits during your woodsheding time.
And also most likely good recomendations for study materials too.[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 04 May 2003 at 01:00 PM.]

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 4 May 2003 12:32 pm

It was my experience and is my opinon that Bud Charleton IS the best in execution, "tone", inspiration, discipline, and the finest example of deliberation. He's got a look that will look right through you and see if there is a "steel player in there". If there is one, and he can't "see it" you will have to convince him. I don't know if I ever did. I sweated buckets trying.

I've fed myself for a long time on what he taught me.

The lessons where I was only subtly chastised for "not doing some simple thing" correctly, or was just sent home to practice Bud's Bounce again damn near in tears was the BEST investment I ever made.

I'd have to thank posthumously, Leo J Kellar, of Oxon Hill Music, for "talking him into" giving lessons. I understand that he really had little interest in it.

I sure don't.

Teaching is THE severest test of one's playing, and self esteem. He rose up, and passed IMHO.

David's "cynical view" is more correct in this field than possibly any other, with at least One Glaring Exception:

Buddy Lee Charleton.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

EJL[This message was edited by Eric West on 04 May 2003 at 01:33 PM.]

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 5 May 2003 1:01 am

Hey Eric I am much more cyclical than cynical.

I have had some great teachers who hardly touched the instrument when with me and yet their instruction is still helping me on all instruments decades later.

Others were great players and I can't remember diddly of what they taught,
except for 2 licks I sometimes use.

Others too were supurb techncians, played with a big heart and were also thoughtful analysers of their students limitations of technique. They then directed the students how to fill in the gaps ; both technique wise and theory wise.

BC. seems in that last oh so small class.[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 05 May 2003 at 02:03 AM.]

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 5 May 2003 3:48 am

Jerry , obviously Bud C would be a great resource if he has the time. I would add that altough I have not seen Herby's E9th material but if it is anything like his C6 approach then it has to be right on the button. Learning licks and phrases , although fun, is not the answer. Understanding where the licks and phrases come from IS the answer.

Any Steel Player or musician that can offer assistance and point you in the right direction in the undestanding of the Instrument will be a great asset.

Two things come to mind in my past experience..

A steel player friend came over when I got my first steel and he showed me enough stuff in a half hour that kept me busy for 6 months.

After playing guitar for probably 15 years I started taking guitar lessons from the guitar guru in the North East, Link Chamberlain. In 6 months I learned more about putting music together than I could have ever imagined. This education was aimed at becoming a more refined musician on all of my instruments, Steel included.

Comically..Link never saw my Steel, but he used to look at my tuning and pedal chart and tell me where the chords were that I was studying on the 6 string ! That used to blow my mind...still does...

Sadly, Link passed away in the mid 80's from Lukemia. He was very well known and respected in the North East ,not just as a brilliant player, but a Professor of music as well... to the point that Guitar Player mag did an article on him after his death..

Maybe you have someone in your area that is similar that you can work with.

Good Luck

TP

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 5 May 2003 9:39 am

I found Frenchy's steel guitar course to be the most methodical and thorough of any I've seen. His materials are truly professional and he will help you out with anything you don't understand.
http://www.frenchyspedalsteel.com/