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Topic: Teacher (in the UK) |
Matt Hutchinson
From:
London, UK
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Posted 5 Oct 2004 7:09 am |
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I've been playing steel for a few years now, on and off, and I feel like I'm struggling a bit. I've played other instruments so I understand the theory aspect and can work out where to find notes when I want them but I think I lack some kind of focus. I've got some teaching material which is fine and helps but I was thinking maybe I should go for some lessons, if I can find anyone, as a different pair of ears might be able to spot my weaknesses better and show me where I need to concentrate my practice etc.
Any thoughts and, from the UK guys, any recommendations?
Cheers in advance.
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1983 Sierra Crown gearless U12 & Fender 75
[This message was edited by Matt Hutchinson on 05 October 2004 at 08:09 AM.] [This message was edited by Matt Hutchinson on 05 October 2004 at 08:11 AM.] |
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John Sluszny
From:
Brussels, Belgium
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Posted 5 Oct 2004 7:44 am
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| Gerry Hogan in Newbury.(hogan music 01635-37868) [This message was edited by John Sluszny on 05 October 2004 at 08:46 AM.] |
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Allan Thompson
From:
Scotland.
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Posted 5 Oct 2004 9:44 am
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| I read on the forum not so long ago that Sarah was going to be doing classes. Worth checking out. |
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Mike Fereday
From:
Newbury, Berkshire, England
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Posted 5 Oct 2004 11:16 am
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Sarah is, but maybe not before '05.
I recommend Gerry Hogan for 121.
Mike |
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Matt Hutchinson
From:
London, UK
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Posted 6 Oct 2004 6:52 am
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Thanks guys. Has anybody had any lessons with Gerry and, if so, what's his approach to teaching steel like?
I don't live near Newbury so I'd have to travel & have at least a half day lesson to make it worth it but I'm happy to do that if he's the best man for the job. |
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Ad Kersten
From:
Beek en Donk, The Netherlands
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Posted 10 Oct 2004 12:35 pm
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Hi Matt,
Gerry is a terrific player; however I don't know his teaching qualities. You probably can't go wrong with him.
Why don't you check out the directory at onlinesteelers (http://www.onlinesteelers.com/countrylist.cfm?cmnCountry=United%20Kingdom)? There are 30 players listed for the UK, not all teaching of course but they might be able to help you in the London area.
cheers,
Ad
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Zumsteel S12U
Yo, Man! homepage
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Wayne Baker
From:
Altus Oklahoma
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Posted 11 Oct 2004 12:29 pm
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I can offer this modest advice to help you. It helped me.
1. Play in front of a mirror.
2. Watch other steel players. I doubled my abilities in a very short time hanging out with Ernest Cawby and other various steel pickers. Buy non-instructional steel videos just to watch the picker besides instructional videos also.
3. Know your steel. I bought Bobbe Seymours p/p and all pull videos. It helped a bunch knowing about servicing of the steel.
Shoot me an email sometime and I'll do what I can to help. I'll be living in the Azores for the next 15 months, so maybe I can pop over on a military hop sometime. I'd be glad to.
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Thanks,
Wayne Baker
Emmons Legrande d-10, w/8&5, Emmons S10 p/p
w/3&4 Nashville 400, Boss DD3.
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Allan Thompson
From:
Scotland.
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Posted 11 Oct 2004 1:38 pm
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| Spoke to Sarah at the weekend and she said her classes will not be starting until 2005. |
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Matt Hutchinson
From:
London, UK
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Posted 14 Oct 2004 1:23 am
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Thanks guys, I'll speak to Gerry & see if I can arrange a lesson.
Wayne - Thanks for the tip about playing in front of a mirror, I'll give it a go. |
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Pat Kelly
From:
Wentworthville, New South Wales, Australia
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Posted 24 Oct 2004 3:48 am
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| Come on Wayne! That,s got to be tongue in cheek. I've yet to see a steel player that hasn't got his eyes glued to the strings. What's this with the mirror? |
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Billy Murdoch
From:
Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.
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Posted 24 Oct 2004 4:16 am
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Hi Matt,
I tried the "play in front of a mirror"
It didn't work for me,being a Scot I was wearing my kilt and the extra knee lever was confusing me.
Seriousley though the mirror is a good idea, I am trying to learn C6 at the moment and I find that my left foot very often is on the wrong pedal,a quick glance at the mirror helps a lot. Best regards
Billy |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 24 Oct 2004 4:48 am
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I'll add my recommendation of Gerry Hogan.
I've known Gerry for almost forty years now (yikes!), and can attest to his logical and methodical approach to anything he does. I know him well enough to be sure that his teaching methods will have been carefully thought through, and that he will examine the 'basics' very carefully with you.
If you're anywhere in London, Newbury's only an hour or so down the M4 - you're lucky that such a great resource is so close by! I urge you to take full advantage....
Gerry started playing PSG in the mid-'60s, while I got my first steel in the early-'70s. Both of us began playing regular guitar in the '50s, and we were always kindred spirits, musically speaking; we've shared many stages together over the years. When I got my ZB Student-steel ('Day' set-up/3+1) I badgered him into showing me how I might execute Buddy's 'Wichita Lineman' (!!!) - he laboriously figured out how I might get it with half-pedals and slants, and I sat there writing all this down, secure in the belief that I'd be playing it like Emmons in a day or two! As I'd had my steel for two weeks, he tried to get me to start with something simpler, but I knew better and wouldn't hear of it. I still have that grubby piece of 'psuedo-tab' to this day - which reminds me, I should have another look at it with all the benefits of hindsight I now enjoy...
Gerry's structured and formal teaching methods that his pupils enjoy today are probably a direct result of the purgatory I put him through that day.
Roger R.
PS: Just to underline my inexperience - I packed my steel away at the end of that day, but left the two pedal-bar wing-nuts on his carpet, and didn't miss them until the next day. Gerry promised to mail them to me and, in due course, an empty envelope arrived with a small tear in one corner..... 
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