The Steel Guitar Forum

Greetings to all my Pedal Steel Brothers,
Ok...I’ve signed up for a Paul Franklin 1st year long introductory E9th Pedal Steel Course,has anyone else ever taken this 1st Course? It’s currently $99
Please let me know how much of a help it was or wasn’t...and basically just your overall thoughts and opinions,
Thanks so very much!
Respectfully Yours,
Jeffery Mercer
Mentor Ohio 44060

A lot of help if you take the time and come back over and over to absorb the in depth instruction you get from it and practice, practice, practice. You will also learn licks and tricks, mostly you get to choose which technique fits you and you can stick yo it.
Personally, my right hand technique improved dramatically in about a month time.

Thank you so very much Ed for your reply...a Newbie needs all the kind words and constructive criticism he can get in this the beginning of the Journey..

Thanks buddy,
Respectfully,
Jeff Mercer

Edward is correct. Go slow and learn each lesson. The grips and intervals will keep coming up over and over. So if you don't commit them to memory, as the course progresses your going to be lost. Learn them by numbers ( scale degrees) because that's going to be the foundation for what lies ahead. I just upgraded to the full Method course.

Jeffrey-

Everyone who has responded so far is correct. The Foundations course is based on teaching a concept and having the student spend the time needed to master it. Slow progress is the key, as you are literally laying the "foundations" for your future technique and musicianship.

Paul does not spend time in the lessons practicing for the student by playing along with tracks, he gives the necessary info and leaves them to do the work. You will have some decisions to make in regards to picking and blocking technique that are up to you and your physicality. Paul does not lock you in to one preference or another.

It's our most popular course, and not solely because of the affordable price. Many intermediate and advanced players have praised the material as having helped them to get rid of bad habits they had accumulated. Best to not acquire them in the first place, so take your time and allow yourself to absorb the lessons.

If Paul says something needs to be memorized and internalized before moving on, please heed his words. If you do not, you will eventually end up back there anyways...or stuck on a plateau you don't know how to overcome.

Lots of good articles on this stuff at Paul's blog, too: Blog

John I just want to say Thank You! For the encouragement! and God Bless You!
Respectfully, Yours Truly,
Jeff Mercer

This was the feedback I was looking for.

John Spaulding wrote: Many intermediate and advanced players have praised the material as having helped them to get rid of bad habits they had accumulated.

Lots of good articles on this stuff at Paul's blog, too: Blog

That's helpful, John. I'm not a veteran player but HAVE been at it long enough that bad habits have no doubt taken root. Sounds like the basic course would be worth my time and money to clean up my playing before moving on.

Jeffery - One week early, Happy Birthday! Stay at it, it's a fun instrument. You WILL have times when you feel like you're stuck and making no progress, do not let that discourage you. The learning never stops, so enjoy the journey.

Jeff; I haven’t tried any of the E9 stuff yet but the C6 coarse really opened my eyes to a lot of stuff. Paul has always been a great teacher. I still have some of his stuff out here on cassettes. I’m from Wheelersburg. When did you leave this area?

Worth every penny , provided you practice , a lot. I'm in year three of the full course. It's put my progress on steroids.

I go back to the time where Paul's instructional courses were only on cassette tapes. They were the best then and are the best now! Be disciplined and enjoy the journey. You could not have made a better choice.

I started the course this week. Paul is great at explaining things so they instantly click in my head.

Yes, the Foundations course got me off to a great start!

I would suggest buying the FULL course. The $99.oo deal does NOT cover all the E9th.
I think it's the most in depth course ever. There are an endless number of beginner courses, but NONE keep going as PF's course, and just like the Universe, it just keeps growing.

Thanks!... J-D.