The Steel Guitar Forum

Hi,
Does anyone have a favorite exercise that they use to warm up, or one that will help improve basic skills such as blocking, fast picking or anything of that nature?I'm sure a few of us beginners could use the help.
Thanks a bunch
Phil

J.O.E. W.R.I.G.H.T.

I'm not sure where "beginner" actually starts (I'm still learning every time I sit down). But here's a little 'scaley' thing that I still do when I start to practice - the more you play it, the faster you can try it. The faster you get - start moving it around - in half step increments, it starts to sound like some opera singer warming up the old vocal chords...

Anyway, it's the first thing Buddy Charleton ever taught me

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5_______________8___________________________________________________________
6__________8~8b*__8b~8*_____________________________________________________
7________8_____________8____________________________________________________
8______8_________________8__________________________________________________
9___________________________________________________________________________
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</pre></font>

* = note is not actually picked
b = half tone raise

The 'trick' is to start with the thumb then use the ring finger
and alternate (except for the "*" notes) you should try to block
each note after it is picked (except for the "~" notes)

Look into Joe Wright's 'Technique Bundle'. This is just what you're looking for, I think. Check his web sight on the links page.

It's also the melody on OBS when in the A chord on the 5th fret. These same notes can be played an octave high on the 8th fret while holding the F pedal and A pedal. Pick strings 5,2,4,1,3,1,4,2 Always alternate thumb and ring finger.
Both positions are good exercises
Dennis

Hey Jim,
What's the fingering on that?

Yo, Tim...!

I think what Mr. Cohen meant was:


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4______O_________W__________________________________________________________
5________E_________R________________________________________________________
6____________________I______________________________________________________
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8________________________H__________________________________________________
9___________________________________________________________________________
10__________________________T_______________________________________________

</pre></font>

I think what Mr. Cohen really meant was:

<font face="monospace" size="2"><pre>
1___________________________________________________________________________
2___________________________________________________________________________
3____J______________________________________________________________________
4______O____________________________________________________________________
5________E__________________________________________________________________
6____________________W______________________________________________________
7______________________R____________________________________________________
8________________________I__________________________________________________
9____________________________G______________________________________________
10_______________________________H_________________________________________
11___________________________________T______________________________________
12__________________________________________________________________________
</pre></font>
(then again . . . maybe not)



LTB<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Larry Bell on 01 March 2001 at 01:01 PM.]</p></FONT>

I think what Mr. Feldman meant was

1________Joe Wright______________________


<font size = 1>(Feldman, of one note samba fame)</font>

<img src=http://www.angelfire.com/ny/lightsound/stuff/fishjump>
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jon Light on 01 March 2001 at 01:22 PM.]</p></FONT>

STOP! You're BOTH right!

Mr. Holman's exercise is for E9 while Mr. Bell's is for C6. (It's best not to try this on U-12 however).

You shoulda told me sooner, JC.

<SMALL>(It's best not to try this on U-12 however)</SMALL>

I done gone and done it.

LTB

I have to TOTALLY agree with Jim and John, etc. I had never purchased any of Joe's stuff, and after learning a few techniques already, I thought " what's he going to teach me that I already don't know "?
WOW! I got the techniques bundle and have to say that for learning to play steel it was the best investment I could of made. Why?
With Tab courses, you learn other people's licks. Which in of itself is not a bad thing.
But with 1 hour a day of warming up with Joe's stuff, I now make up my own licks!
I had a course with a couple of licks that I just couldn't quite get. Why? I wasn't prepared for it. My muscle memory wasn't there yet.I had put the horse before the carrot. Needless to say that by applying what Joe says ( which is basic common sense ), I was finally able to play them.
For a beginner, I consider the course a must. For the "experienced novice" like alot of us also. The speed of my learning curve was tripled.
Can't say enough about it. Can't find the "Wright" words ( sorry Joe ). So I'll just say...
Thanks Joe!

Hi Guys,
Sorry I haven't responded sooner to thank you for the advice.It looks like the Joe Wright book is everyones choice.I've been examining my options of instructional material.Buying a video sounds pretty tempting though. Thanks again.Phil

" Secret of the Wright Hand" if your'e going to get a video. Has many examples of what's in the book. The book is much more thorough......

All I've got is 1 knee lever.Will the book "Techniques bundle" do me any good?Phil

Absolutely. Go for it.