The Steel Guitar Forum

Last week I had a gig on which they played a swing tune, and I had to use the B6. I played some very elementary stuff I got from a Jeff Newman course. Everybody here would recognise what I played as real beginning C6 (or B6 in my case) material, but nobody in the audience knew that. As far as they were concerned, I knew how to play swing, as well as rock and country.

I used Jeff's OBAIL (Oh Boy, Am I Lost) scale, and it worked beautifully. I was lost, but nobody knew it.

I haven't explored the C6 as much as I'd like, an I've only gotten through the first few lessons of Jeff's course, but boy, did it make a difference.

It seems to me that a "thank you Jeff Newman" thread could (and maybe should) grow to be many pages long... I'll chime in; when I was first learning steel back in the 70's there was hardly any information available; not only did Jeff (and Fran) greatly expand the amount of educational material out there, his seminars and classes were (are) absolutely invaluble. He's a wonderful teacher; always encouraging, yet he didn't pull punches; he could be very blunt (and very funny!) and was always oriented towards "real world" musical situations. I don't know many pro players of my generation that don't owe him a lot; I know I do! Thanks Jeff!

<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Pete Finney on 16 October 2001 at 11:00 AM.]</p></FONT>

I took a few classes from Jeff myself and he is very knowlegable. I thought he was a very good teacher also. Thanks Jeff! Ziggie

I too have a lot of Jeff's work in my files and striving to reach his level of playing is a real challenge but while playing for a Shriner's award ceremony last week, I got the tables reversed on me.

You usually break the third string on E9th and have to go back to the 6th neck (also B
in my case.) and improvise from there. This time I broke an E string on my 6th neck and wound up improvising on the E9th for the same sounds. Actually, I had a ball doing it and since it was the last set, I stayed there for the rest of the evening.

Lots of things from Jeffran College showed up
and I even learned how to play Turn The Page
on the E9th neck. I'd been using the 6th neck for that and when I couldn't, I found the E minor work with chimes at the 7th fret
using A&B plus LKV. A whole new approach to the song since the A minor portion can also be played in chimes at the 12th frett, same pedals. The D major could also be there but I like to accentuate that with bar quavers so I play it that way instead.

Like I said somewhere else lately, the early lessons keep coming back to the top !!

Regards, Paul <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Paul Graupp on 16 October 2001 at 11:35 AM.]</p></FONT>

I too, am indebted to Jeff!!

I too have to thank Jeffran. When I get lost on the C6 neck, the OBAIL, Poodle and Two Belowe pockets gets me back on the track. Jeffs C6 videoes shure made the whole difference to me. THANKS.
Tore

What they said! Thanks Jeff

a year or two ago some of us were setting in the lounge I think it was Dallas...Jeff and Fran came in and joined our table...I said Jeff you and Fran are a real asset to the steel industry!He said WHAT??? So I told him again..he said Boy we don't hear much of that. I said well you should! I also like his personallity. He calls a spade a spade.Like it or not if you think about what he says he'll be right every time.Regards,fred

I came out of my practice room the other night laughing and saying to myself for the 1,000th time "OH that's what Jeff ment"!!!!!
I'd stumbled across the need for a dim chord in the tune I was working out and I'd swear I heard Jeff's voice tellin me to use the F lever to find it! Worked like a charm!
Thanks Jeff!
JE:-)>

Jeff has always been a good friend and teacher to me. He does call a spade a spade but I for one appreciate his honesty. He has been a real encouragement to me. I will see him and Fran in two weeks. Fran also is a great person.

I put the C6 duo tape combo on my Santa list!

I've been trying to be good....

Thanks Jeff! I hope to continue to build my library of your terrific instruction.

By the way, I have not gotten tired of listening to your playing on the McReynolds brothers CD. I put it on all the time, and it has become one of my all time favorites. Such smokin' 4/4 shuffles!

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Bill Fulbright
1998 Sierra U12 7x5; Gibson ES-165; Peavey 50-410
ICQ# 2251620 Bill's Website Launch Pad

I , also, would like to publicly thank Jeff Newman. I have attended a few of his seminars,in London,Ontario.

I also took a one week advanced Teacher's Course in 1977 from him in Nashville.
I had already played Jazz and Big band on my E6 tuning , but I wanted to learn more about E9 .

As a former teacher, I can tell you that he is one of the greatest teachers. He lays it right out to you. And he is one of the top players in country in my opinion.

On top of all that, as some of you mentioned , he is an all around great guy!

I guess we could write pages of this guy's talent..................al

Jeff and Fran Newman are two of the greatest assets in the world of steel guitar. Love 'um, Jody.

Hi Bill

Can you tell me more about the McReynolds CD please - what label etc, I cant find it on the amazon.com search.

Do you know where I can get a copy?

I am made to think of a Jeff Newman seminar quate,There are steelguitar player's and there are people that just on a steelguitar.

Due to the fact that I have purchased alot of his home studied course's and attended afew of his seminar's and aplyed myself,I can fool some of the people some of the time.

And this has brought great joy in my life,for I truely love music and the sound that can be delivered from a steelguitar,and I am fulfilling my honkytonk dream.

For what small talent I may have on this instrument,I mostly owe to Jeffran's home studied coarse's.

To anyone who does not know , Jeffran stands for Jeff and Fran his wife,they are truely a team.

It is with out a doubt that Fran has been the strenght behind Jeff's sucess

I have other teach material's,but I have found none that can compare with Jeff's.

Jeff's name deserve's to be mentioned more often.

Thanks Mike Perlowin for starting this post.Just my 2 cent's worth BJ Bailey

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BJ Bailey

At 40 years old,Jeff Newman gave my steel guitar world new meaning.

I had plodded along along all my life playing almost nothing and playing it bad. I grew up with the opinion that good players were good because they were born that way.

I began attending Jeff's seminars in the late 70's in St Louis.My music world turned around and I found out with the right motivation and teaching then adding hours and hours of hard work,that I could play things I never expected to play in my life.

Many Thanks to Jeff and Fran for all the lives they have touched. Fran,sorry you did not get into the Hall of Fame with Jeff.I would have voted for you.

Clive,

Here is the link to Pincastle Records web page with the McReynolds Brothers, Jeff Newman on the Steel. "Our Kind of Country".
http://www.pinecastle.com/ASP/ProductList.asp?Category=ARTIST&ArtistID=27

This is a toe-tappin, traditional 4/4 up-tempo shuffle CD. It is just great. Jeff really knocks off some terriffic styles and simply just plays fantastic on every song.

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Bill Fulbright
1998 Sierra U12 7x5; Gibson ES-165; Peavey 50-410
ICQ# 2251620 Bill's Website Launch Pad

I'd like to strongly second Pete Finney.

When I started playing PSG in the 70's, I never felt that I could refer to myself as an actual pedal steel guitarist untill I learned the material from Jeff Newman's great 70's E9 course called "Steelin Feelin". That course was "smokin". To this day, I can still tolerate (actually enjoy) listening to "Tie A Yellow Ribbon" because of the extremely cool way that Jeff played it.

I have played gigs all my adult life using stuff that I got from Jeff Newman on every gig that I've played.

We all owe a huge debt of gratitude to Jeff Newman. I hope to attend his private instruction school next year either for a full week, or two of the 3 day sessions, whatever my finances will allow.

May God bless Jeff Newman and may he keep on keepin' on!

Regards,
Harry Hess

My thanx go out to Jeff, I attended a few of his seminars and got a real foundation that I have failed to build much on.
I also still have his old Rustler and love it.
Thanx to b0b who really helped when I got started.
Both great guys.
Jack

Steel guitar would be years behind if it were not for Jeff, his teaching, and his knowledge. I think he is totally under "mentioned" - I have never heard him play a show, CD, etc., where he did not stand either shoulder to shoulder with the greatest, or sort of " cast his shadow " on them. I don't have the time, knowledge, or talent to be a good player, but thanks to him I have played hundreds of job's and many people consider me a competent steel player. What I play I know is right, and I know when and what to play - it ain't fast, or fancy, but it's right. And for me, that is all I want! Just glad Jeff came along, and if some of his remarks don't get him killed one day, hope he will hang around for a long time. Last time I took a lesson from him he said "You back already?" I said "yeh, need to learn all I can, because with your attitude, you probably won't be around very long; somebody is going to kill you." He was speechless for the first time I ever knew him - it was a long silence. Then he said "I'll get you for that." and he did..

If Jeff reads all of this he will be hard to live with...I think the CD by Jim and Jesse is absolutely great! It is one of my most played CD's. They are all great pickers, however, in my opinion man does not need to hear any more steel or fiddle than what is on that CD!!! Ralph Mooney said to me when I played it for him," Hey, Jeff is playin my stuff better'n I did!"
Jeff, if you and Fran are listenin in you both deserve all of these compliments and more of them! Regards , Fred

What can I add?
The first course I bought was a E9 course with "SteelGuitar Rag "and San Antonio Rose", both killer-versions, that made the base of my approach to songs. Later the "music to C6 by", also the same influence.
Jeff, you learned the world to play steel, including most of the Dutch players.
There should be build a special wing to the Steelguitar Hall Of Fame for you !
Thanks,
Johan

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STEELDAYS 2002
my web-site
my bands CODand TSC

I have the complete "Up From The Top" course.....it is deceptively simple.

I am a total PSG newbie, play other instruments. I watched each tape once and then thought "That was a waste of money, I know all that" but then I realised, "hold on a minute, I didn´t know ANY of it before"

THATS a good teacher.

(the tapes reveal more depth te more you view them but NOTHING confuses)

Another example of Jeff´s simple but PRACTICAL approach. My Carter S12 arrived. I had NEVER seen a pedal steel outside a photo. PANIC. The Carter letter said I should read the instruction manual BEFORE setting up the guitar but (this is true) they packed the instruction manual in the case and under the PSG. SO all I had was the Jeff Newman video. Well it was a breeze, ´cos Jeff shows and explains EVERYTHING including how to cut open the cardboard box, how to open the case put on the legs.....all that stuff thats too simple to explain, but you NEED it to be explained ONCE.

Thanks Jeff.

Jeremy Williams
Gandia Valencia
Spain

Hey Jeff, What everybody else said and more. Thanks for your instruction and time. Art.