Fast Tracking Us Newbies

James Morehead · From: Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.

I bought a steel guitar 18 months ago, not having a clue about it. There was a beginner "how to" tape in the case. That helped some. I got on the internet and found "The Steel Guitar Forum". It has peeled off YEARS from my quest to learn this fascinating instrument. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, I want to express my appreciation to b0b and everyone of you who make helpful comments that help us newbies unveil the mysteries of the steel guitar. Thankyou!!! James from Oklahoma

Dylan Schorer · From: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

I also started playing steel about 1 1/2 years ago. This forum has been an incredible help. I haven't posted much, but I've scoured every corner of this site for all the information I can find. I owe everything I know about pedal steel to the Steel Guitar Forum and Jeff Newman. My new resolution, though, is to spend more hours practicing than I spend reading the forum.

[This message was edited by Dylan Schorer on 14 September 2004 at 06:07 PM.]

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

The steel guitar forum is a tremendous resource for all levels of players. Some upper level players resent the information that is offered here, others pitch in and try to help. I have made good friends here and have found my ideal guitar, amp, and sound because of this forum. I find everyone's opinion of value, even those who I don't agree with.

Quesney Gibbs · From: Anniston, AL

Why would any player upper level or not resent the information given out on this forum? I don't know about anyone else but as for me I will bend over backward to help a newbie.

I have found out over the years that usually the better the player the nicer they are. Not that I am a great player but whatever I know is passed on willingly to anyone who asks.

Ques

Paul King · From: Gainesville, Texas, USA

I am with Quesney on this one. If I can help someone with a lick or something I have learnen I do it without reservation. After all, we all started on the bottom and worked our way up.

Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

I took one lesson over the first five years I played pedal steel. It was a guy named Danny Dunn who had played with Charley Pride -- pretty skillful player. He showed me the three inversions of the major chord on E9 and a few technical things like moving the bar 'in and out' to avoid covering more strings than necessary and to pick with authority. That lesson lasted several years before I had explored the inversions and techniques.

I think it's easy to overdo it at first and to try to learn more than you can really absorb before you've learned to crawl. Learning solid right/left hand technique will allow you to progress more smoothly. Learning where chord and scale positions lie on the guitar is also critical. Learning songs is not nearly as important, except that your expectations might include learning a particular tune. Putting off working on picking accuracy, intonation, bar technique, and learning the neck of the guitar in favor of learning a bunch of songs is a big mistake that a lot of beginners make.

I agree that the Forum is a great place to find the nuggets, but there's so much information that it's difficult to sort out what's most important to do first. I feel strongly that great value can be derived from sitting down == at least ONCE == for several hours with a good player to see how the picks are shaped and how the bar is held, and how you sit at the guitar == for that matter, how you SET UP the guitar. Some need multiple, regular lessons. Everyone has his/her own learning style, but it's important to spend time LEARNING as well as just PLAYING and a teacher can help introduce progressively difficult material to a student who might tend to bite off more than he/she can chew.

Thanks again to b0b for this wonderful discussion group.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Ray Minich · From: Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra

It's a big forest out there, and it would be great to see it if all them trees weren't in the way. The Forum certainly moves some trees.

[This message was edited by Ray Minich on 15 September 2004 at 07:37 AM.]

Mark van Allen · From: Watkinsville, Ga. USA

I agree with Larry- Nice to see you back here, BTW, are you still wet?!!
And I wonder what Danny Dunn is up to today? I had an audition to replace him in Dick Root's band when I'd been playing around 6 months or so. I was doing ok until the guitar player leaned over and said "play harmony with me here" and launched into a stream of 16th notes. I wish I had a picture of my face...
I sure wish this forum had been around back in those days. Even after many years of playing, I've been pleasantly shocked at the sheer amount of great information, history, and experience I've been exposed to here. Most sincere gratitude to b0b for making it happen, and all the folks who take their time to share here. Thanks!

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Stop by the Steel Store at: www.markvanallen.com

Travis Bernhardt · From: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

I want to supplement what Larry said by saying that learning songs is a fantastic way to learn the guitar--if you're learning them by ear, not from tab. True, it's not something a total beginner will be able to do, but once you've got a little bit of comfort with the technical side of things, learning songs (by ear) is the next step, IMHO.

-Travis

Billy Henderson · From: Portland, AR, USA

I have met pickers 40 yrs old that already have 20 years experience and some 60 and over have 40+ years. I am mid 60's and don't have enough years left to get that kind of experience. I have found some are willing to give free advice when they can. Through out my life though I chose to buy the books and pay for the lessons. It is a hobby for me and I can understand that any player that plays for a living can't afford to "give it away". Spend time at the guitar and learn like they did I tell myself.

I have gotten lots of good and free information off the Forum some from the "Boss Man" himself. Nuggets, as someone said. I appreciate that. My biggest challenge is getting the information from my head to my hands. Also need a better brain to tell me what is coming in through my ears.

On the other side I have met some along the way that if their CD's were two for a nickle I wouldn't buy them and if they are on the play list at a jam I will not sit through their set, but that's life I guess.

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