The Steel Guitar Forum

My old steel teacher (who is 82 years young) asked me if anyone know of a GOOD Merle Travis instruction book/course available? Says he wants to learn how to do that finger style pickin'. (Not bad for 82, huh?)
Anyone got any suggestions?

There are several instructional things I would suggest, not in any particular order. But Marcel Dadi has a very good instructional video out called Nashville Pickin'. Tommy Flint has a book and Cd out called "Mel Bay presents the Merle Travis Guitar Style". Michel Lelong has a two series of cassette tapes and tab called The Music of Merle Travis Guitar Rag. I am sure there are others, these are just the ones that come to mind right off. I own them all and recommend them, just depends on his learning style as to which way he would want to go. Any good on-line source of guitar music should carry these items. Good for him-it is neat to see people at any age wanting to improve and learn. That is what life is all about !

I would recommend the Tommy Flint book. I took lessons from him personally for two years. He can play it.

Ditto on the Tommy Flint book. It provided me with everything I needed to know to get going, and the CD helps you figure out how it should sound. Has some fairly advanced tunes towards the end as well.

Fred, you're lucky to have taken lessons from Tommy -- what a gentleman and nice guy he is.

the Tommy Flint book/CD gets my recommendation, too. it starts off nice & slow, with the absolute basics, and goes on to cover Merle's idiosyncracies well

Larry, Fred, Dirk, HOWaiian....Thanx for all your help. I'll forward these on to my "mentor"...Thanx again

In addition to my attempt at playing the pedal steel, I also try to play the Merle
Travis style guitar. There are two video
instruction tapes that are excellent. One
is by Tom Bresh (Merle's son) and the other
by Comer "Moon" Mullins who lives in Mountain
View, AR. I am now away from home but will
return on Tursday and will be happy to send
you addresses if you are interested. Bill