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Topic: New Member - First Lesson Tonite |
Greg Woodcook
From:
Elmira, New York (USA)
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Posted 28 Aug 2007 7:47 am |
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I just wanted to say hello and introduce myself. My name is Greg Woodcook and I am a small-town Country Singer looking to do some recording/studio time, meet new musicians and learn the Pedal Steel along the way. A couple of years ago my father and my fiancee surprised me with a BMI S-10 for my birthday. My father become ill and most of my time was with him...never learning the pedal steel. He passed away this past year and I have now decided (with the help of my fiancee) to take on this new venture. I look forward to getting to know you all and gaining knowledge from your experience.
Sincerely,
Greg Woodcook |
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Johnny Baldwin
From:
Long Beach, California, USA
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Posted 28 Aug 2007 8:27 am
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| Welcome Greg, you have come to the right place. |
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Mark Treepaz
From:
Hamburg, New York USA
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Posted 28 Aug 2007 8:28 am
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Welcome to the forum Greg. There is a wealth of info available to you here.
"New York USA" is a big place. What region of New York are you located in? Western, Central, Eastern, New York City, Adirondack, Southern Tier...?
_________________
Sho-Bud LDG, Gretsch Syncromatic Lap Steel, Fender Steel King amp, Bach Stradivarious 37 Trumpet, Getzen Eterna Flugelhorn, 68 Fender Precision Bass |
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Charles Davidson
From:
Phenix City Alabama, USA
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Posted 28 Aug 2007 1:19 pm
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Welcome Greg from Alabama.
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Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC ! |
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Curt Shoemaker
From:
Ionia, Kansas, USA
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Posted 28 Aug 2007 1:54 pm
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Hi Greg, you are about to enter a world where there's no turning back.It will be overwhelming at first, and then start making sense. Anyone that makes the effort to tackle this beast should be commended.
Best of luck to you in the future. If you need help someone here will be able to assist. Curt Shoe |
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LJ Eiffert
From:
California, USA
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Posted 28 Aug 2007 6:22 pm
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| Hello Greg Woodcook,Welcome to our world ,The home of the Steel Guitar & it's people. Leo J.Eiffert,Jr. & Pigeons. |
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Mickey Adams
From:
Bandera Texas
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Posted 28 Aug 2007 6:26 pm Hey Greg!
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Welcome to the forum Greg. We are all really happy to see you here. Youre going to make some lifelong friends im sure.....  Mickey Adams in Vegas
_________________
ARTIST RELATIONS: MSA GUITARS
2017 MSA LEGEND XL D10, S10, Studio Pro S12 EXE9
Mullen G2, Rittenberry S10, Infinity D10, Zumsteel 8+9
Anderson, Buscarino, Fender, Roman Guitars, Sarno Octal, Revelation Preamps, BJS BARS, Lots of Blackface Fenders! |
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Brian Folks
From:
N. Padre Island, Tx.
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Posted 28 Aug 2007 6:32 pm "Texas Howdy"
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A Big Texas Howdy to the Forum Greg hope your 1st
lesson goes alright and enjoy your Pedal steel...
Brian Folks
N. Padre Island, Tx
____________________
Zum D-10 Hybrid, Peavey 112's, Goodrich Pedals
Boss GX700 EFX |
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Mark Treepaz
From:
Hamburg, New York USA
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Posted 29 Aug 2007 6:07 am
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Hey Greg,
How was the first lesson last night?
_________________
Sho-Bud LDG, Gretsch Syncromatic Lap Steel, Fender Steel King amp, Bach Stradivarious 37 Trumpet, Getzen Eterna Flugelhorn, 68 Fender Precision Bass |
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Greg Woodcook
From:
Elmira, New York (USA)
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Posted 29 Aug 2007 6:33 am First Lesson
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I set up my steel and the instructor basically went over the following:
1. How to tune flat to the 440 pitch
2. Pedal and knee lever purpose and operation (he said my guitar has been setup other than standard and that I may want to change this back)
3. Basic hand placement
4. Practice 3-4-5, 4-5-6-, 5-6-8 and 6-8-10
I need to purchase a tuner ASAP, a less weighted slide and a volume pedal. Down the road he told me to look for a Peavey Sessions 400 Amp and a pac-a seat. My instructor's name is John Walker from Watertown, NY. I was originally going to take lessons from Jim Ingram, until his recent passing.
Are there specific finger picks that I should look for or any other items that will help me as a beginner?
Thanks!
Greg |
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Greg Woodcook
From:
Elmira, New York (USA)
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Posted 29 Aug 2007 6:37 am Invite
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I would like to thank you all for the warm welcome to the forum!
Greg |
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Gerald Cook
From:
Lexington, OK USA
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Posted 29 Aug 2007 7:02 am
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| Hey Greg, from the great state of Oklahoma, welcome to the world of the "infamous pedal pushing, pickin' & slidin'". Sounds like your instructor is getting you off to a good start. The forum is a great place to pick up good information as well as advice. Gerald |
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Mark Treepaz
From:
Hamburg, New York USA
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Posted 29 Aug 2007 7:07 am Re: First Lesson
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| Greg Woodcook wrote: |
I set up my steel and the instructor basically went over the following:
1. How to tune flat to the 440 pitch |
Does that mean that he has you tuning each string straight up at "0" on your meter?
| Greg Woodcook wrote: |
2. Pedal and knee lever purpose and operation (he said my guitar has been setup other than standard and that I may want to change this back) |
Did he mention what your current guitar set up is?
| Greg Woodcook wrote: |
I need to purchase a tuner ASAP, a less weighted slide and a volume pedal. |
You definitely need a good tuner for these instruments. A good choice is the Boss TU-15, However, there are several others that I'm sure other forum members can suggest. Regardless, be sure to get one with a graduated meter. Stay away from the type that are just "idiot light" types of meters.
I'm not quite sure what is meant here by a "less weighted slide". I'm assuming that he means that you need to get a lighter bar? Hmm. What the heck are you using now, an iron ingot? 
| Greg Woodcook wrote: |
Down the road he told me to look for a Peavey Sessions 400 Amp
(snip)
Are there specific finger picks that I should look for or any other items that will help me as a beginner?
Thanks!
Greg |
Ha! Watch out about amp recommendations around here!  You'll get bombarded with a difference of opinions on that one!
As far as picks, there are several on the market to choose from. My suggestion would be to get a hold of a couple of different types and test them out for yourself to see which may work best for you. Metal fingerpicks and a plastic thumbpick are the norm. Go to the "links" section of this forum. It'll get you to several places where you can choose and order picks.
_________________
Sho-Bud LDG, Gretsch Syncromatic Lap Steel, Fender Steel King amp, Bach Stradivarious 37 Trumpet, Getzen Eterna Flugelhorn, 68 Fender Precision Bass |
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Greg Woodcook
From:
Elmira, New York (USA)
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Posted 29 Aug 2007 7:27 am
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1. He has me tuning just to the left of the "0" position. I had to guestimate the position on the Korg Tuner he used.
2. I want to say that the "D" Knee Lever was not a D, but actually an E Flat and that we would have to change the numbering in the book??? Does this sound right??? Sorry for being so "Green"!
3. I couldn't find the right words for the bar...yes ...a lighter bar. He said the one I have is homemade (solid)..not with a hollowed center.
Greg[/img] |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 29 Aug 2007 7:39 am
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| Greg, welcome! Your learning to play the instrument is a wonderful tribute to your father. I know you'll have much fun with it. |
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Greg Woodcook
From:
Elmira, New York (USA)
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Posted 29 Aug 2007 7:49 am Tribute
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Thank you for your comment on being a tribute to my father. I kick myself in the a## for not learning it while he was alive, but I know he will still enjoy it from the heavans. I am sure he will hear it (along with my neighbors), especially during my mess-ups when learning to control the volume pedal.
Greg |
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Alan Coldiron
From:
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 29 Aug 2007 9:59 am
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ELMIRA!! I'm from Elmira. I lived on Broadway on the Southside until my family moved to Texas in 1975. As a matter of fact I'm comming up there this weekend to visit my brother in Corning. I also knew Jim Ingram, a great steel player. It was sad to hear of his passing. He worked with my father Cliff Coldiron on occasion in the 60’s and early 70’s.
I just started playing steel in November. My main instrument, and what I play around steel players and Steel Shows, is bass. These folks on the forum are great, friendly people so welcome to a new community where you will make many new friends. |
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Bill Mayville
From:
Las Vegas Nevada * R.I.P.
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Posted 29 Aug 2007 10:18 am E lever
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Hi and a good welcome for greg from an old fart in Texas.
I don't know where you came up with naming the D lever ,an E lever.It dosn't go to E,It's already there.It's called a D lever because it goes to D #.
The F lever isn't called anything but where it goes.To F.
Some people are trying to change things for some reason or another.
But. A D lever on the eighth fret takes you to a
Maj.7th when you really get into music. For now ,it takes you to an E minor.You may never get that involved with music,to call it a maj 7th.
I personally think teaching in that fashion,cuts down on the years it takes to learn this coffee table
with strings.(thats what Buzz Evans calls it ).
Good luck in the future.It's a gas to play that thing.
Bill Mayville
_________________
Bill Mayville
06 Jackson Commemorative ,S 10
Black.For Sale . $18,000 Kidding |
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Greg Woodcook
From:
Elmira, New York (USA)
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Posted 29 Aug 2007 10:54 am Knee Levers
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OK...I think I have this issue clarified. My "D" and "E" Knee Levers are reversed as far as what they are intended to do. Does that sound right?
Greg |
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Mark Treepaz
From:
Hamburg, New York USA
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Posted 29 Aug 2007 11:51 am Re: Knee Levers
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| Greg Woodcook wrote: |
OK...I think I have this issue clarified. My "D" and "E" Knee Levers are reversed as far as what they are intended to do. Does that sound right?
Greg |
No, from what I'm getting from here is that your knee levers are correct - your LEFT RIGHT KNEE LEVER (a.k.a. "D Lever") lowers the E down to D# and your LEFT LEFT KNEE LEVER (a.k.a. "F lever") raises your E to F.
If that's the way it's currently set up, then that's correct.
_________________
Sho-Bud LDG, Gretsch Syncromatic Lap Steel, Fender Steel King amp, Bach Stradivarious 37 Trumpet, Getzen Eterna Flugelhorn, 68 Fender Precision Bass |
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Greg Woodcook
From:
Elmira, New York (USA)
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Posted 29 Aug 2007 12:02 pm Knee Levers
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This is getting more confusing. The instructor told me that my "D" and "E" Knee Levers have been reversed, so that their outcome is reversed. Therefore I would have to change the numbering in the book. I am looking at the Mel Bay Anthology of Steel Guitar Book and trying to decipher the Tuning Chart Table.
Greg |
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Tamara James
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Posted 29 Aug 2007 1:52 pm
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| Greg Woodcook wrote: |
1. He has me tuning just to the left of the "0" position. I had to guestimate the position on the Korg Tuner he used.
Greg[/img] |
This is correct. You will find, as you become more familiar, that the actual tuning is not 440. Each string has a slightly different rate. If you can, look at strobe type tuners. I am saving my pennies for one now. I use the krog30 for other instruments. I like it very much for acoustic (spelling?). |
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Bernie Gonyea
From:
Sherman Tx. 75092 ,U.S.A. (deceased)
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Posted 29 Aug 2007 6:23 pm Welcome To A Fellow New Yorker
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[b
Welcome to the famous Steel Guitar Forum, Greg; hang on; you're going on a long and bumpby ride; but an enjoyable one; if you let it be. Ask questions; I see you already are getting your questions answered, on your very first visit with us. That's what it's all about; each one helping their fellow players.
Oh, Greg, by the way, I'm from a small town a little farther north, called Edwards, N.Y. About 15 miles due east of Gouverneur, N.Y. Right in the Foot-Hills of the Adirondacks Mts. Isn't Elmira next to Binghamton and Johnson City? Near the PA. Border? Keep us informed on your progress, O.K? Bernie  [/b]
_________________
2007 Zum S-10; 1967 Sho-Bud [ D-10 ]; 85 S-10 Sierra; 1953 Multi-Kord [ 6 String- 4 pedals ] A Sho-Bro six String Resonator Guitar; Nashville 112 Amp; hilton Vol. Pedal |
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Dave Todd
From:
Jonestown, Tx.
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Posted 29 Aug 2007 6:56 pm
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Greg
I too am leaning and had my first lesson a few weeks ago. Grips, grips, and more grips. The same as you. Add to that the trying to find the balance of "under or out" on the right hand. My hands need to be retrained to do this. To add to it, my instructor Mr. Flanz is adamant about palm blocking right off the bat. A slow, slow road to be sure but I sit every day and "strangle the cat". What I'm finding though is that every time I sit down to it, it's a little bit easier relatively speaking that is..... Good luck and don’t get discouraged.
Mikey.... You ever going to get to Austin??
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I need to go Fishin'....... |
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Mark Treepaz
From:
Hamburg, New York USA
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Posted 30 Aug 2007 5:49 am
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| Greg Woodcook wrote: |
| 1. He has me tuning just to the left of the "0" position. I had to guestimate the position on the Korg Tuner he used. |
Greg, are you saying that he has you tuning EACH STRING slightly to the left of "0" ?
_________________
Sho-Bud LDG, Gretsch Syncromatic Lap Steel, Fender Steel King amp, Bach Stradivarious 37 Trumpet, Getzen Eterna Flugelhorn, 68 Fender Precision Bass |
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