The Steel Guitar Forum

Hi all,

I recently moved to Washington DC (in Dupont Circle area) and I'm seeking pedal steel lessons for a Universal 12 (S12, 8/5 Fessenden).
This is a guitar that I inherited from my father (David Morgan, also on this forum) and I'm eager to get started. I'm a guitarist, bassist, songwriter, but haven't had steel experience until now.

Thanks for any pointers in the right direction!

You may not, but let me know if you do. I've been playing almost 5 years and wish I had a regular teacher in the area when I had started the instrument (I work at Ft. Myer).

You might get a starter lesson from Billy Cooper in Orange VA.

Hi Aaron- great to see you here! You don't need a universal teacher- just a C6 teacher as lowering the 4 and 8 strings w the knee lever puts you in B6 tuning- 1 fret below the std C6.

I play often in DC area; I live north of Philly, But aam originally from DC, with deep musical roots there…and I play Universal
I will let you know my schedule and perhaps we can meet…

there are several fine players in DC but I don’t know who teaches around there anymore. I am open to Zoom conference.

I agree with Jim Palenscar, understanding 6th tuning will help, in relating the Uni to steel guitar performances of the past.

but I suggest if you are just starting, try to play it as one big a$$ tuning, instead of thinking of it as the ‘E9 “side” / B6 “side”. ‘

I also agree a trip to Billy Cooper's in Orange VA is in order.

My 2 cents

Look for Jeff Newman's videos and lessons on the U12. They're awesome!

There is tons of work to do just getting started. Your tuning is secondary. Learn the basics from somebody who plays at a professional level and who can help you with fundamental technique. Then you can apply that information to whatever tuning you use. Susan Alcorn up in Baltimore plays a 12 string tuning. She is an amazing player.