Hello Forum

John Parker · From: Golden Valley, Az. USA

Hello Forum. I've been reading the forum for a couple of years now and finally joined. I never played an instrument before and at age 44 decided to learn how to play a pedal steel. I've been struggling with this thing for about 3 1/2 years now (mostly on my own) and sometimes get frustrated as I feel I should be farther along than I am. I'm trying, without much luck yet,to find some players (drummer, bass, lead, etc.) that would be patient enough to practice with me and help me develope technique, timing and gain some experience playing with other people. Enough of ranting about my problems. I look forward to being a part of this amazing forum and corresponding with the great people here.

John Parker
Zumsteel SD10 3x5
Peavey Session 400

Walter Stettner · From: Vienna, Austria

Hello John!

Welcome to the Forum! Don't ever hesitate to let me know if there's something I can do for you from the other side of this world!

Regards, Walter
www.austriansteelguitar.at.tf

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Jack Dougherty · From: Spring Hill, Florida, USA

Hi John...

Welcome....Tha fact you have a Zum shows you have good taste.... Anyway there are no stupid questions......so feel free to ask away...the one thing you you will find, or already have, is this family you've just become a part of is one of the most generous groups you will find in regard to the art of steel playing. So let your fingers do the walking and enjoy...

JD

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There is no such thing as too many steels!!

Robert Jones · From: Branson, Missouri

Hello John! A big welcome to the forum. Feeling frustrated about not being farther along is something you should hang on to. It is the very thing that makes us continue on and try to learn more. I have been at it for many years and when I practice I learn something every day. Finding a band to work with is something that isn't going to be easy to do. Have faith though. It'll happen. Best of luck to you.

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Mullen Royal Percision D-10 Red Laquar Pearl inlay 8&8

ray qualls · From: Baxter Springs, Kansas (deceased)

John, I don't know where Newark is located but if you're within driving distance of Siloam Springs, they have a steel club there and they meet once a month. Roger Osbourn is president and he posts on the forum about the club. Good luck and don't get to frustrated.
Ray Qualls-President(KSGA)

Ernest Cawby · From: Lake City, Florida, USA, R.I.P.

John Jeff Newman has tracks with a singer and a full all but the steel part. U do the entros turn arounds and get to play the song all the way thru, and tag.
They are called Honky Tonk Heroes.
They helped me a lot and I find we are doing now the songs I learned from the tapes.
1-800-373-3418

ernie

Ulf Edlund · From: Umeå, Sweden

Hello John! Welcome aboard.
As stated above no question is to stupid for this great forum. The frustration kinda comes with the instrument, but i wouldn't want to be without it.

Uffe

Gary Ulinskas · From: San Diego, California, USA

Hi John,
I too am a beginner at pedal steel and have experienced many of your frustrations. The smartest thing I ever did was buy Band In a Box so I could create rythm tracks to practice along with. I can slow them down to a crawl when first learning a song, and then get up to speed as my proficiency increases. Plus you can stop and restart enywhere you are having difficulty. This is almost as good as playing with other people and have made my practice sessions much more fun and productive. You will be much better prepared for when you do find real people to play with. I also bought a TASCAM CD-CT1 variable speed CD player to use with the rythm tracks I got with my Jeff Newman courses. Works OK at -8% speed reduction, but at slower speeds the sound is "wobboly" and I think the pitch changes as well. Keep at it.

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Gary Ulinskas
MSA S-12 + Walker mono

Gary Ulinskas · From: San Diego, California, USA

Hi John,
I too am a beginner at pedal steel and have experienced many of your frustrations. The smartest thing I ever did was buy Band In a Box so I could create rythm tracks to practice along with. I can slow them down to a crawl when first learning a song, and then get up to speed as my proficiency increases. Plus you can stop and restart enywhere you are having difficulty. This is almost as good as playing with other people and have made my practice sessions much more fun and productive. You will be much better prepared for when you do find real people to play with. I also bought a TASCAM CD-CT1 variable speed CD player to use with the rythm tracks I got with my Jeff Newman courses. Works OK at -8% speed reduction, but at slower speeds the sound is "wobboly" and I think the pitch changes as well. Keep at it.

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Gary Ulinskas
MSA S-12 + Walker mono

John Parker · From: Golden Valley, Az. USA

Thank you everybody for the warm welcome and advise. This forum is like family and I'm proud to be here. Now if I could only get to where I feel confident enough to play out! Need a lot more practice.

John Parker
Zumsteel SD10 3x5
Peavey Session 400

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

Welcome John!.. Hey don't get too discouraged.. I have been at it 28 years and I STILL stink!!:].. Its usually a long hard road getting proficient on the pedal steel. DO NOT sell youself short... you have decided to play one of the trickiest musical instruments in the book... Not many can. The fact that you are learning,progressing,studying,etc.shows that you have what it takes! PLUS you have a cool axe!!!... Best of luck .. I'm kind of new around here too,but I'm already being treated as "one of the family" bob

Ken Williams · From: Arkansas

Hi John, welcome aboard. Hang in there. Hey, I grew up kinda in your neck of the woods, that being Marked Tree, if you know where the heck that is. Played baseball many times in Tuckerman and Newport as a teen. Anyway, I wish you the best with your steel playing.

Ken
http://home.ipa.net/~kenwill

Eric West · From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.

Welcome John.

In the early stages, at least I was much more critical of my playing than "regular people" were once I finally found a few people to play with. You'll find you're your own worst critic.

If it weren't for the "public" and their fascination with this mysterious instrument. I don't think I'd have gotten much farther then the bedroom. I've gotten a lot of support from "people that don't know any better." I still am a couple thousand live gigs later.

I like to, to this day, find a tune I'd like to learn and keep it rolling around in my head for a week or so until I can make it "sound good". Tjhen I try it on stage if I'm with a band that can play it.

The "tracks" idea is new since I started, but I agree it would have made things easier.

Again Welcome.

Eric West.

George Kimery · From: Limestone, TN, USA

John, welcome buddy. I remember when I first joined the forum, I was timid about making responses or asking questions. After I found out that nobody told me to sit down and shut up, I jumped right in and starting making comments. There are probably a lot of members that see my name and figure I don't know beans about anything and just skip reading my posts, which is OK with me. I have been playing at the PSG since 1968, have played in several bands, sometimes I sound pretty good, other times not. I think I can offer advice to newbies that is valid. The rhythm tracks are almost essential, or at least a metronome or drum machine. If you don't have something to keep you in time, and you play by yourself , it very easy to learn to play out of time and you don't even know it until you get with a band. Also, it can make a big difference in being around other players. The first time I went to a steel jam, I really had my eyes (ears) opened. I realized I didn't have the right sound, technique, or licks. This began my search and led to many things, including instruction at Jeff Newman's school in Nashville back when he was doing 1 week group classes. I would encourage you to go to a steel jam if you haven't already. Try to find a more experienced player to help you along. Keep at it as long as you are enjoying the pursuit and are making some progress. Most people give up too soon. Realize that there are always going to be some players better than you and some worse. It has been said that the steel is a 10 year instrument, and I think there is a lot of truth to that. You have already put in 3 1/2, so just think ahead 6 1/2 years and enjoy the ride along the way.

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